Accounting and Finance Director

The role plays a critical leadership role in ensuring robust accounting, control, compliance and operational finance performance across a substantial multi‑entity perimeter. This is a high‑impact position combining technical accounting leadership, people leadership and transformation. Client Details Our client is a multi-billion turnover, international, asset and labour‑intensive services organisation, operating at scale across multiple UK legal entities within a broader European & International structure. It delivers complex, high‑volume operational services to a diverse customer base, with performance characterised by tight margins, rigorous governance and strong regulatory oversight. The business operates within a matrixed regional operating and finance model, combining local execution with European and global policy, control and transformation programmes. Description Reporting to a senior European finance leader, you will be accountable for the end‑to‑end accounting and transactional finance agenda across the UK. The role leads a large, multi‑layered finance organisation and acts as a key member of the UK senior leadership team, contributing beyond finance into broader business and transformation discussions. Key responsibilities include: Full accountability for statutory accounting, financial control, tax, audit and compliance across multiple UK & Ireland legal entities Leadership of c. 50 finance professionals, including senior managers across: Financial Accounting & Control Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable / Record‑to‑Report Credit & Revenue Tax Ownership of working capital performance and cash generation, including driving improvements in AR, AP and associated processes Oversight of, and collaboration with, offshore / outsourced finance partners, driving service quality, efficiency and cost optimisation Ensuring consistent application of group accounting policies, internal controls and governance standards within a European framework Leading finance integration, systems, process improvement and change initiatives, including standardisation and digitalisation Acting as a senior finance partner to regional and business finance teams, ensuring accuracy, transparency and timeliness of financial information Managing relationships with external stakeholders including auditors, banks, tax authorities and advisors Profile This role will suit a hands‑on, visible leader who is comfortable operating at scale, developing senior direct reports, and building depth and succession across a sizeable finance function. The environment is operationally demanding and continuously evolving, requiring resilience, pragmatism and a strong improvement mindset. Essential: Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent) Significant senior‑level experience leading large accounting and finance teams within complex organisations Deep technical grounding across financial accounting, control, statutory reporting, tax and audit Experience of operating within matrixed, international groups, aligned to regional or global finance structures Strong people leadership capability with a track record of building high‑performing teams Proven experience driving process improvement, efficiency and change in finance environments Comfortable managing outsourced or offshore service providers Desirable: Background within logistics, industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure or other asset and labour‑intensive sectors Exposure to ERP and finance transformation programmes (e.g. SAP, JD Edwards, OneStream or similar) Experience working in thin‑margin, high‑volume operational businesses Job Offer Competitive six figure salary with car/car allowance bonus and benefits package Senior leadership role within a large, internationally backed organisation Significant scope and influence across the UK & operation (Circa £800m) Opportunity to act as a change agent, improving capability, efficiency and control Exposure to European‑level finance leadership and governance Strong platform for longer‑term progression within regional or global finance roles