Financial controller – europe

Job Description

We are seeking a Financial Controller – Europe to oversee financial management, reporting, and compliance across our London divisions (VFX, Animation, and Immersive), Trixter (Germany), and the London Head Office. Reporting directly to the Group Financial Controller, you will lead a regional finance team to ensure robust, compliant financial reporting while driving business performance.
This is a foundational role during an exciting period of regional restructuring. Initially, you will be highly hands-on in executing core accounting duties while simultaneously project-managing the transition of European Payroll and playing a key role in hiring and onboarding your direct support team (including a Euro Management Accountant).
You will oversee day-to-day financial management across these entities, taking full ownership of core accounting, monthly reporting and compliance. You will also be responsible for the budgeting and forecasting of company overheads such as CAPEX, payroll and equipment spend.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualified Accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA) with post-qualification experience.

Fluent in both English and German (written and spoken) is essential.

Experience managing or supervising a small team in a multi-entity or divisional structure.

A ‘player-coach’ mindset—willing to be hands-on with preparation and data entry in the interim, with the capability to scale into a strategic leadership role as the team is hired.

Familiarity with UK and German accounting/tax frameworks (IFRS, UK GAAP, HGB).

DESIRABLE

VFX/Film Production experience an advantage.

Experience with finance transitions, system implementations, or building/restructuring finance teams.

Knowledge of SAP by Design an advantage.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

FINANCIAL REPORTING & ANALYSIS

Review and sign off on monthly management accounts and reporting packs prepared by the Euro MA.

Prepare high-level monthly board packs and variance analysis for Senior stakeholders including Group FC, Group Divisional and Depart Heads.

Deliver accurate regional financial data and schedules to the Group FC to support Group consolidation.

Establish and enforce standardised month-end deadlines, accounting policies, and workflows across all European entities, collaborating with divisional finance teams to ensure timely data delivery for the regional close.

BUDGETING & FORECASTING

Partner with the Commercial Finance team to develop, manage, and re-forecast the Cinesite London and Trixter overhead budgets.

Act as a finance business partner to non-production heads (IT, HR, Facilities) to monitor and control support costs, CAPEX, and equipment spend.

STATUTORY, AUDIT AND TAX COMPLIANCE

Take full ownership of the annual statutory audit process for all London and German entities.

Ensure strict compliance with relevant accounting standards (IFRS, UK GAAP, and German HGB).

Partner with Divisional HOFs and Production Accountants to aggregate the operational and project data required for corporate Film, Animation, and R&D tax credit applications, ensuring total alignment with statutory reporting.

Review and approve localised tax returns (including UK VAT and German VAT/sales tax equivalents).

PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

These will primarily be covered by the European Payroll & AP accountant; however you will be required to support and oversee as follows:

Oversee payroll processing and ensure timely payment across London and Trixter.

Oversee regular payroll filings across London and Trixter.

Oversee Accurate & timely payment of all Payables across London and Trixter.

GENERAL

Aim to find process efficiencies, standardisation of workflows and utilise automation tools or AI where possible.

Actively participate in the recruitment, onboarding, and training of the new Euro Management Accountant.

Ensure efficient administration of affairs.

Oversee company structure, general queries and enquiries as necessary.

Providing financial support on ad-hoc corporate projects, software transitions etc.

Team Building: Actively participate in the recruitment, onboarding, and training of the new Euro Management Accountant.

Payroll Transition: Partner with HR and external vendors to project-manage the smooth transition of European Payroll workflows from London to the broader Euro scope.

Interim Execution: Take hands-on responsibility for the preparation of monthly accounts during the team-building phase, establishing clean templates and workflows for future delegation.