Group Financial Controller

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience, including Big4 audit experience, with a strong background in statutory audits, financial due diligence, and accounting reviews.
• Tech start-up/scale-up experience, with hands-on expertise in high-growth environments (preferably in AI, software, or deep tech).
• Deep expertise in IFRS, with a focus on financial reporting, consolidation, and compliance. Expertise in FR GAAP is a plus.
• Strong proficiency in SAP S4 and advanced Excel for financial analysis and reporting.
• Experience in reviewing and approving accounting entries, reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Rigorous attention to detail, analytical rigor, and a zero-tolerance policy for errors in financial reporting.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with auditors, internal control teams, and senior leadership.
• Proactive and solution-oriented, with the ability to identify risks and implement corrective actions.
• Fluent in English. French is a plus.

What the job involves

• As Mistral AI’s Financial Controller, you will ensure the accuracy, completeness, and compliance of all accounting records and financial statements. This role is purely accounting-focused, with a mission to oversee the review of accounting entries, collaborate with auditors, and enforce rigorous financial controls.
• You will work closely with the Internal Control department to mitigate risks and uphold the highest standards of financial reporting.
• You’ll report to the Group accounting director.
• Conduct detailed reviews of accounting entries (journal entries, accruals, provisions, intercompany transactions, etc.) to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with IFRS and French GAAP.
• Implement and enforce financial control frameworks, including segregation of duties, approval workflows, and reconciliation processes.
• Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors (Big 4 firms) during statutory audits, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of audit requests, explanations, and supporting documentation.
• Oversee the preparation of audit-ready financial statements for all Group entities, including consolidated and statutory reporting.
• Collaborate with our Tax team to ensure compliance with tax and regulatory obligations (VAT, corporate tax, payroll taxes, etc.).
• Review and approve balance sheet reconciliations, P&L analyses, and flux analyses to guarantee the integrity of financial data.
• Support the design and monitoring of key controls to prevent errors, fraud, or misstatements in financial reporting.
• Review management reporting packages, including variance analyses, flux explanations, and ad-hoc financial analyses for senior leadership.
• Ensure financial data is accurate, consistent, and transparent to support decision-making.