European Financial Controller

  

About the Role 

We are seeking a seasoned European Financial Controller to lead our EU finance department, from our London office. This pivotal role is centered around guiding a team that handles a wide array of tasks and responsibilities ranging from daily financial reporting to long-term departmental planning, with the ultimate goal of ensuring financial order and transparency across the company. 

The ideal candidate will have a solid background in accounting principles, be comfortable handling large datasets and possess a keen eye for detail. Above all, they will have a proven track record in management and leadership, in order to guide and mentor a finance department situated across London & Berlin. 

As our European Financial Controller, you will play an instrumental role in providing the company with a comprehensive understanding of its financial status, enabling informed decision-making and facilitating long-term success. This role offers the opportunity to significantly impact the efficiency and effectiveness of our finance department. This will be a full-time role, based in our London office, owning the following responsibilities: 

• Lead and mentor the EU accounting team, including oversight of EU product control 
• Compile local statutory and consolidated financial statements including all relevant notes 
• Understand and review monthly covenant reporting requirements 
• Maintain and review monthly journal entries to ensure all business transactions are recorded 
• Manage financial records for subsidiary companies through detailed analysis of balance sheets and general ledger accounts 
• Support the creation of balance sheets, income statements and other financial statements in accordance with legal and company accounting and financial guidelines 
• Update financial data in databases to ensure that information will be accurate and immediately available when needed  
• Generate and submit weekly/monthly reports 
• Prepare corporate income tax provision and filings 
• Supervise monthly VAT filings with outside firm 
• Prepare forex reports for EU and Mexican entities to track foreign exchange movements 
• Assist in external audit engagement (year-end and statutory), and when necessary, research and draft technical accounting memos to document and support the ledger 
• Assist with accounting and finance related projects 

  

About You 

This position is not just about meeting responsibilities but about leading a team towards continuous improvement in all areas of financial management. This role requires a proactive approach to responsibilities, fostering a culture of excellence within the team, a commitment to accuracy and detail, and a focus on continuous improvement in all areas. In addition to upholding this, we are looking for somebody with the following: 

Essential Requirements: 

• Proven experience in a leadership role with a finance team, with a track record of managing and mentoring staff 
• Tangible experience with derivative accounting 
• Chartered accountant certification or equivalent is required, with extensive knowledge of accounting principles and procedures 
• Proven experience in dealing with auditors and financial statement preparation 
• Previous exposure to UK GAAP or IFRS, and experience with accounting for business combinations (consolidations) and foreign exchange transactions 
• Proficiency in using financial software and databases 

Other Attributes: 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex topics 
• Ability to work in a lean, start-up environment in a hands-on and independent manner 
• Excellent organizing abilities, critical thinker, team player 
• Excellent analytical skills with an attention to detail  

 

What we offer  

• Competitive compensation and participation in Trailstone’s discretionary bonus plan. 
• 25 days of annual holiday entitlement, plus 10 days of paid sick leave per year. 
• Bupa medical insurance, effective on your first day of employment. 
• 9% employer pension contribution, with no requirement for employee contributions. 
• Eligibility to receive external and internal training in accordance with our Learning & Development Policy. 

 

About Trailstone 

Trailstone is a global energy and technology company, operating at the intersection of renewable and conventional power. We trade energy in global markets, and we provide a best-in-class service to manage the inherent intermittency of renewable power generation across the short, medium and long term. As an energy trader, we buy and sell electricity and gas which is physically delivered on the grids, and we leverage our physical market knowledge to trade financial commodities. 

As a provider of renewable energy management services, we take on the complexity of managing renewable power across different countries so that our customers can focus on their core mission of investment and growth. Trailstone offers an efficient, fully automated front-to-back renewable power management platform underpinned by our long-standing market experience, proprietary technology, data analytics and meteorology. 

 

We’re different, and we like it that way!  

Here at Trailstone, we value our differences. In fact, our success depends upon them. 

Differences in backgrounds, identities and experiences lead to differing views of the world. Different world views lead to healthy differences in opinions. Different opinions are essential to creating a robust marketplace of ideas. And it is our ideas that will make Trailstone a market leader in energy innovation and disruption! By our commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, Trailstone is creating value for our employees, our investors, and our communities. 

So regardless of your gender, race, ethnicity, orientation, physical limitations, how you identify, how you pray, who you love, where you went to school, who you consider family, or how old you are… you can belong here!