Controller, EMEA West Region (Financial Controller / Finance Manager)

About Morningstar

Morningstar is a leading global provider of independent investment insights, serving both individual and institutional investors across public and private markets. Our offerings include a wide range of data, research, and investment management services, with $300+ billion in assets under management. Operating in 32 countries, Morningstar supports financial decision-making worldwide.

The Team

Morningstar is looking for a Controller for our EMEA West region to join our global Finance team, which is focused on business partnership, innovation, automation, and process improvement.

The Role

As the Controller - EMEA West, you will lead Morningstar’s local financial reporting and accounting, appropriate for a publicly traded U.S. corporation, for our UK, Middle East and Africa operations.

The role reports to Morningstar’s EMEA Regional Controller and is also responsible for assisting in the planning, forecasting, and analysing of the company’s local financial results and working collaboratively with our business groups and other areas of our Finance team to provide financial insight and decision making support.

This is a full-time position and is based in London. Morningstar follows a hybrid work model, with employees expected to be in the office four days each week.

What You’ll Do

• Oversee general accounting functions, including monthly close process, financial audits, and tax/statutory reporting with support from U.S. and shared services accounting and finance teams.
• Optimize the organizational structure of the local finance team to best support the unique needs of the countries and the team, ensuring training, mentoring, and career development.
• Maintain and champion internal controls and processes appropriate for a U.S. publicly traded company to achieve global harmonization.
• Lead an efficient financial reporting process and month-end close to produce timely and accurate financial reports reflecting Morningstar's global accounting policies.
• Partner with the EMEA West (UK, Middle East, and Africa) regional business leaders and other areas of Finance to ensure accuracy of forecasts and budgets, identifying gaps and solutions.
• Identify and lead system and process improvement initiatives in support of global standardization, including the use of shared service capabilities within Finance.
• Oversee all statutory reporting requirements in the region, including regulatory submissions to the FCA, to ensure timely submission and compliance with local regulations.
• Lead and oversee various country projects and participate in global transformation projects, including system implementations, M&A activities, and process improvements.
• Coordinate with local external advisers for various activities, including audit, tax, payroll, insurance, and other compliance activities.
• Additional matrix management responsibility for the UK facilities function.
• Serve as director for local legal entities, as needed.
• Assist with transfer pricing and other tax planning strategies in conjunction with the corporate team.
• Perform other duties as assigned including the preparation of accounting memorandums and local policy documentation.