Head of Accounting UK & Ireland

SOMFY, your reliable partner for automated access and closure systems for homes and commercial buildings, is committed to developing new ways of living for everyone.

Our group—a French family-owned company in continuous development since its founding—has been the market leader in home automation for 50 years and a pioneer in smart home technology. We are driven daily by innovation and the assurance of the excellent quality of our solutions.

We operate in 58 countries, with 8 production sites and 17 R&D centers. We are deeply committed to the well-being of our 7,000 employees and strive for their long-term employability through internal mobility and the development of their professional skills. We promote diversity and inclusion, building on our strong corporate culture.

We are looking for a Head of Accounting UK & Ireland who will report directly to the Regional Finance Director for Northern, Central & Eastern Europe, in order to oversee the day-to-day operations, compliance and reporting of the UK & Ireland regions and supervise the accounting departments in Leeds, Manchester and Ireland.

The position, which manages general accounting teams on several entities in UK & Ireland, comes to manage the accounting teams whose mission is general accounting in IFRS and company accounts, presentation of figures and implementation project of the SAP tool, to be filled as soon as possible, based in the UK.

The Head of Accounting UK & Ireland, will work closely with the different finance teams in UK & Ireland to manage the various financial accounting responsibilities, including the integrity of the accounts in IFRS and closing company accounts, the production of half-year and annual accounts, external and internal audits, balance sheet reconciliations, presentations to internal and external stakeholders, and tax audits.

Our ideal candidate will use their strong analytical skills to prepare detailed financial reports, participation in legal entity optimisation projects, preparation of various compliance filings including tax returns, statutory consolidation, and contribute to forecasting.

To succeed in this position, he will need to have an approach based on improving, automating and simplifying processes, solving problems and being able to lead remote and local teams.

Role and Responsibilities

The Head of Accounting UK & Ireland will be an essential part of the team, working closely with the accounting team and finance teams to be part of the SoOne project and the implementation of the SAP tool.

The successful candidate will join an open and flexible work environment.

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Coordinate, prepare and submit the accounting operations in order to submit IFRS monthly, quarterly, and annual financials, in accordance with the group calendar to IFRS group and local standards for the UK & Ireland entities
• Coordinate local and group external auditors for annual audits and statutory accounts preparation and ensure if any audit issues are resolved and communicated
• Assist as required by the Controlling department contribute to the in the annual budget process for the UK & Ireland

Compliance and Control

• Safeguard compliance with IFRS, local financial regulations, VAT, office of national statistics, customs and tax requirements
• Implement and maintain internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure financial integrity
• Oversee VAT, PAYE, and other tax filings and ensure timely and accurate submissions
• Ownership of payroll accounting and interface with HR and payroll provider 
• Implements internal controls based on group guidelines for entities in his/her scope and follows-up & orchestrates audit & internal control action plans

Taxation

• Preparation and/or Supervision of VAT Audits and tax declarations, and various other statutory filings 
• Ensure compliance with the law and taxation within the entities

Team Management

• Lead and mentor the accounting teams in Leeds and Manchester, providing guidance and support for professional development
• Allocate tasks and responsibilities effectively within the team to meet deadlines and objectives
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback

Systems, Projects and Process Improvement

• Evaluate current accounting systems and processes, recommending and implementing improvements
• Ensure effective utilization of financial software and tools
• Drive automation and efficiency initiatives within the finance department
• Lead system or other process efficiency projects as required

• 7-10 years of experience in a sales industrial finance position
• SAP S4HANA is a must
• HFM/Hyperion knowledge would be a strong asset
• ACA/ACCA Qualified accountant with strong background in IFRS experience
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Business fluent in English
• Strong attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining accuracy and integrity of financial information
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to structure your thoughts and derive action plans for your team to execute, as well as the ability to communicate efficiently across all staff and stakeholders levels
• Team & Hands-On working style; Good organizational skills, autonomous and reliable

• Competitive compensation plus year-end bonus based on performance;
• A dynamic and innovative international culture;
• Take charge of the regional finance operations with a high degree of autonomy. You will have the responsibility to implement and drive key financial strategies, ensuring they align with the broader objectives of the organization. Your strategic vision will translate into tangible improvements and results;
• Join a team that values forward-thinking and continuous improvement. You'll be part of a global network that encourages innovative approaches to financial management;
• Growth prospects within a global company;
• Somfy is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce.

The protection of our candidates’ personal data is a commitment of Somfy Group. We therefore ask any candidate to submit their application to us exclusively via our secure system, and not by email or postal.