Financial Control Team Lead

Job description

We are seeking an experienced, high-calibre Financial Control Team Lead to direct our offshore financial control function in Poland. Reporting directly to the Financial Controller – UK & EU, you will take full operational ownership of the end-to-end month-end closing process, statutory audit deliverables, and third-party vendor relationships. A primary focus of this role is process embedding and controls uplift transforming existing workflows into scalable, best-in-class operations while embedding robust internal controls across all offshore accounting activities. Key Responsibilities 1. Month-End Closing & Financial Reporting Closing Execution: Drive and execute the end-to-end month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close for several group entities and central processes and enhance financial discipline especially during year-end audit. Review & Oversight: Oversee balance sheet reconciliations, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, accruals, prepayments, fixed assets, and intercompany settlements. Variance Analysis: Conduct variance analysis (Actuals vs. Budget/Reforecasts) on costs line and provide commentary to the Finance and Business leadership team to support decision-making. Accuracy & Integrity: Ensure trial balance integrity across all legal entities, maintaining rigorous oversight of accounting treatments under UK GAAP/IFRS. Outsourced Services: Manage regular interactions and deliverables with third party providers, including outsourced AP function. 2. Audit Management & Compliance External & Internal Audits: Act as the primary offshore liaison for external auditors (e.g., Big 4) across all UK & EU subsidiaries. Audit Readiness: Build and maintain structured audit PBC (Provided by Client) schedules, ensuring all documentation, supporting evidence, and balance sheet files are fully audit-ready prior to submission. Statutory Accounts: Prepare first draft of financial statements, notes and ensuring adequate supporting is available for auditors. Remediation: Manage the resolution of audit findings, control deficiencies, and management letter points. 3. Process & Control Uplift (Transformation) Control Framework Enhancement: Assess the current internal control environment, identify gaps, and design/implement enhanced controls (to support overall Provision 29 sign-offs). Process Standardisation: Redesign and modernise manual or legacy financial workflows to establish standardized, best-practice processes across the offshore team. Automation & Efficiency: Identify continuous improvement opportunities, leveraging ERP capabilities, automation tools (e.g., HFM, Oracle), and standardized reporting templates. Governance: Establish clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Process notes and control matrices, ensuring continuous update and compliance. 5. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management People Leadership: Direct, mentor, and upskill a team of financial control / management accountants in Poland, establishing KPIs, conducting performance reviews, and fostering team atmosphere. KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Qualified accountant – Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent qualification with 6+ years of progressive experience within Financial Control, General Ledger or Shared Services with direct people management experience. Proven background in auditing / audit management (prior Big 4 / Top-tier firm experience is highly desirable) University degree 2:1 or above, preferably in an Accounting and Finance/Business/Economics related discipline, although this is not essential; Strong written and verbal communication skills, ensures accuracy in own work and in the underlying data; Experience of managing multiple deadlines with a track record of delivering under pressure; Experience of managing individuals, with experience in providing coaching and support to others; Willing to learn, bright and inquisitive, takes personal responsibility to deliver results; Intermediate Excel knowledge; Knowledge, understanding or demonstrable interest in financial markets. Desirable : Financial Services experience or relevant work experience; Exposure to preparation of financial statements under IFRS; Demonstrated experience in process optimisation and controls remediation; and Experience of Oracle Financials and Hyperion Financial Management. CMC Markets is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.