Group Financial Controller

About CRU: 
CRU International is a leading provider of business intelligence and consulting services in the metals, mining, and fertilizer industries. With over 50 years of experience, we offer valuable insights and analysis that help our clients make informed decisions in an ever-changing global market.

About the role:
CRU is seeking an experienced Group Financial Controller to lead day-to-day accounting, financial control and statutory reporting across the Group. This is a high-impact leadership role with responsibility for ensuring robust, scalable finance operations while playing a central role in CRU’s finance transformation programme, including the implementation of SAP S/4HANA.

Working closely with the Finance Director and senior stakeholders, the successful candidate will lead the accounting team, strengthen financial governance and help shape future-state finance processes, systems and controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day accounting function, ensuring the integrity of the general ledger and accuracy of financial records.
• Own the month-end and year-end close processes, delivering timely, accurate and reliable financial results.
• Maintain robust balance sheet controls, reconciliations and financial review procedures.
• Ensure consistent application of Group accounting policies, internal controls and relevant accounting standards.
• Lead statutory reporting activities and ensure compliance with tax, regulatory and legal requirements.
• Manage the relationship with external auditors and coordinate the timely completion of all audit deliverables.
• Provide technical accounting support to the Finance Director and CFO as required.
• Oversee the preparation and submission of corporate tax, VAT and other compliance returns, working with external advisers where appropriate.
• Lead finance requirements for the SAP S/4HANA implementation, including process design, testing, data validation, controls design and go-live readiness.
• Partner with Technology, Finance Systems and implementation partners to embed finance requirements within the new system.
• Support data migration, reconciliations and post-implementation stabilisation activities.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to provide financial insight and support strategic initiatives, forecasting, budgeting and corporate projects.
• Support cash flow forecasting, working capital monitoring and treasury processes.
• Drive continuous improvement across finance processes, systems, controls and risk management.
• Lead, coach and develop the accounting and financial control team, building capability, accountability and resilience.
• Escalate control weaknesses, accounting risks and compliance matters promptly and effectively.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Qualified accountant: ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including accounting standards, statutory reporting and audit requirements.
• Demonstrable experience of financial control and compliance in a multi-entity or international organisation.

Skills & Experience:

• Senior financial control experience, including ownership of month-end close, year-end close, statutory reporting and external audit processes.
• Experience leading accounting teams and managing complex financial reporting activities.
• Strong understanding of tax, VAT, financial controls, balance sheet management and risk management procedures.
• Experience supporting or leading major finance systems implementations, ideally SAP or a comparable ERP transformation.
• Strong organisational, leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, with a strong commitment to accuracy, integrity and compliance.
• A practical, hands-on and collaborative approach, with the ability to operate effectively in a changing environment.
• Experience in a growing or complex organisation is beneficial.

Benefits

What We Offer: 

• Competitive salary and flexible benefits package. 
• Opportunities for professional growth and development as part of a global company. 
• A collaborative and supportive work environment. 
• The chance to work with industry-leading experts and over a diverse range of topics and projects.