Head of Accounting & Control

Our client is seeking an experienced and qualified finance leader to take full ownership of their global Accounting & Control function. Reporting directly to the CFO, this is a senior, high-impact role within a dynamic multinational trading group with offices across Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

The successful candidate will have already operated at a senior level within a complex multinational environment and will bring a demonstrable track record of leading accounting functions, managing audit relationships, and driving compliance standards across multiple entities. The role carries one direct report and functional oversight responsibility for all regional accounting, control, and compliance teams across the Group.

Our client is happy to consider relocation and covering visa costs if you have the trading and commodities along with US GAAP and SOX experience. CPA qualification preferred but CA/ACA would be considered if you have the below.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the production and review of monthly consolidated group financial statements in accordance with both US GAAP and applicable local GAAP standards.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and complete submission of consolidated financial information to group headquarters.
• Oversee IFRS to US GAAP conversion processes, where applicable.
• Maintain and improve the quality and consistency of financial reporting across all subsidiary and affiliate entities.
• Own and oversee the production of management reporting.
• Ensure management reporting is produced to a consistent standard across all regions.
• Design, implement, and maintain a robust internal control environment to ensure the protection of and accurate accounting for all company-owned assets.
• Lead compliance with and documentation of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) designated key controls.
• Coordinate and manage the execution of annual external audits across all relevant entities.
• Lead the planning and execution of periodic internal audit activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors and for all financial enquiries from group headquarters.
• Lead software and systems initiatives that improve reporting efficiency and financial control.
• Drive the adoption of automation, AI tools, and data analytics within the finance function.
• Lead, develop, and performance-manage a direct report, while providing functional oversight and guidance to regional finance and accounting teams across all jurisdictions.
• Foster a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement across the accounting and control function.

Key Skills and Experience:

• ACA (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales), CA (SA) (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants), or CPA (US Certified Public Accountant) — these are the benchmark qualifications for this role and represent a near non-negotiable requirement. Candidates holding ACCA or CIMA will be considered only where there is an exceptional and demonstrable track record of technical depth, complexity, and seniority that fully compensates for the qualification differential.
• Minimum 8 to 12 years of progressive post-qualification experience in financial control, accounting, or audit.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior leadership role with full functional ownership of an accounting or control function within a multinational environment.
• Proven expertise in US GAAP reporting, including consolidated financial statement preparation and oversight.
• Demonstrable track record of leading and developing finance teams across multiple locations or jurisdictions.
• Experience coordinating and managing external and internal audit processes.
• Futures and foreign exchange accounting experience.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
• ERP systems proficiency in a multi-entity, multi-currency environment - essential.
• Spanish language proficiency would be highly desirable.
• Ideally, experience operating within a Fortune 500 or publicly listed group reporting structure.
• Exposure to data warehouse integrations, BI reporting tools (e.g., Copilot, PowerBI), and automation solutions within a finance function would be desirable.