Finance Controller (EMEA)

The Finance Controller (EMEA) will play a critical role in leading Podean’s accounting function across our European entities as we continue to scale globally. Based in the UK, this role will report directly to the Global Controller and manage the Europe accounting team, working closely with the core finance team based in the Philippines, external accounting partners, and global leadership.
This is a highly visible role for someone who thrives in fast-paced, PE-backed environments and enjoys balancing technical accounting ownership with team leadership and process improvement.
What You’ll Do

• Lead accounting for all European entities (UK, Germany, Slovakia, and others), owning the full European month-end close, including journals, reconciliations, accruals, and eliminations.
• Sign off on monthly journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations for all European entities.
• Review AR work, including billing accuracy, ageing, and collections escalations.
• Review general accounting work, including AP, payroll inputs, fixed assets, prepaids, and intercompany.
• Manage the Europe accounting team (AR, general accountant, and external firms), providing clear direction, coaching, and development.
• Oversee statutory compliance for UK and EU entities, including VAT, payroll taxes, and statutory filings.
• Coordinate with external accounting partners and local tax advisors across European jurisdictions.
• Ensure audit readiness and serve as the primary contact for external auditors on European entities.
• Partner with the Global Controller on consolidation, intercompany, and accounting policy alignment (IFRS/UK GAAP and US GAAP).
• Identify process gaps and drive improvements across European accounting workflows, reducing the close cycle through process redesign and accountability.
• Act as the escalation point for sensitive accounting or client issues across the European entities.
• Prepare and administer performance reviews for the Europe accounting team.
• Support integration efforts of acquired and legacy entities.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or CPA qualification strongly preferred
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of a full month-end close and people management
• Strong technical accounting skills across IFRS/UK GAAP, with experience aligning to US GAAP
• Hands-on accounting experience in both the UK and Germany regions is required, including statutory reporting, VAT, and local compliance
• Experience managing multi-country, multi-entity accounting, including UK and EU statutory compliance (VAT, payroll taxes, statutory filings)
• Experience managing external accounting firms and local tax advisors
• Strong experience with ERP, accounting, and reporting systems in a growth environment (Experience using QuickBooks and Xero is a plus)
• Experience working with US and global finance teams
• Experience in a private equity–backed company strongly preferred
• Experience leading statutory audits and working closely with external auditors
• Proactive problem-solver who communicates effectively with global leadership and is comfortable managing complexity and ambiguity