Group Finance Manager in Bristol

Are you a commercially minded Accountant who enjoys getting under the hood of a business, understanding how costs really flow, challenging the status quo and building better ways of doing things? Are you looking for a role where you can take ownership of complex, international cost structures and genuinely shape how a group operates, whilst developing your own experience along the way?

We’re working with a large, private equity-backed business operating across multiple international markets. They are continuing to invest and grow and, as part of that journey, are looking to appoint a Group Finance Research & IT Controller into a newly created role within their central finance function. This is not a typical Financial Controller position. It sits within an evolving and relatively embryonic division, which means you’ll have genuine scope to shape how things are done, rather than simply inherit a well-established structure.

The role sits at the intersection of group finance, technology investment and international operations, with a focus on understanding, refining and improving how costs are captured, allocated and reported across the business. You’ll take ownership of areas such as IT investment and project accounting, global cost recharges and elements of transfer pricing, working closely with finance, tax and operational teams to bring greater clarity and consistency to how the group operates. There is already significant activity in these areas, but plenty of opportunity to improve processes, introduce structure and make a visible impact.

Given the stage of the division, this role naturally comes with a high level of visibility. You’ll be working closely with senior stakeholders across finance and beyond, with the opportunity to influence how key decisions are made as the function continues to develop. The role would suit a technically strong accountant, most likely ACA or ACCA qualified, who has experience within a group or multi-entity environment and enjoys working in the detail as well as stepping back to see the bigger picture. Exposure to intercompany, cost allocation or project accounting will be particularly relevant, although you don’t need to have covered every aspect of the brief before.

The business is pragmatic on experience and is more interested in someone with strong fundamentals, curiosity and the capacity to grow into the role. For the right person, this is an opportunity to step into a role with real breadth and exposure, in an environment where you’ll be supported but also given the space to develop and make your mark. The business is South West-based, with a flexible working model that typically requires just one day per week in the office, alongside a strong overall benefits package.

If you’re curious and would like to understand a little more, I’d be very happy to talk it through – even if it’s just an initial, informal conversation.