Financial Control Team Lead

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, es…