Group Financial Accounting Controller - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract in Bristol

At IVC Evidensia, we are a leading veterinary services provider in Europe and North America with more than 2,500 clinics and hospitals across 20 countries and around 41,000 employees. We aim to have an extraordinary impact on animal lives, supporting in the region of 25,000 animals every single day across our international network. IVC Evidensia exists to champion the long‑term health and welfare of animals and deliver our purpose of Healthy Animals, Happy Owners.

Working in Group Finance, the Group Financial Accounting Controller will take ownership of both Holding Company Accounting and Project Accounting across the IVCE Group. You will lead the financial accounting for the Group's Holding Companies, managing Intercompany structures, funding flows, and legal entity compliance. You will play a leading role in the year‑end individual and Group audits and will oversee any Group restructures as and when required. Simultaneously, you will partner with Finance, Operations, and Project Teams to provide clear visibility into project spend, drive budget accountability, and ensure projects are accounted for in line with relevant accounting standards. This role is being offered on a 12 Month Fixed Term Contract basis.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities

• Leadership
  • To lead and manage the Group Financial Accounting team.
  • To drive continuous improvement in all financial processes across the Group.
• IVCE Holding Company Accounting & Reporting
  • To oversee the management accounting functions of the IVC Evidensia Holding Companies (UK and Europe).
  • Review and sign off of monthly P&L, Balance Sheet and associated Management Commentaries for the IVCE Holding Companies.
  • Management of month‑end related queries.
  • Detailed understanding of multi‑currency Intercompany calculations and reconciliations, external multi‑bank financing, associated derivatives and withholding tax implications, and IAS38 Intangibles Capitalisation.
• Year‑End Statutory Accounts Preparation & External Audit
  • Playing a leading role in the ongoing and year‑end audit relationship with Deloitte, the External Auditor.
  • Directly managing the Group Finance Managers to respond to all statutory accounts preparation queries in a timely manner.
  • Detailed review and sign‑off of the Holding Company statutory accounts prepared by EY to ensure accurate, consistent and compliant figures as well as all statutory disclosures.
  • Managing audit deliverables for Holding Companies and resolution of audit findings.
• Project Accounting
  • To oversee the Project Accounting function across the IVCE Group to ensure accurate project reporting across 19 territories.
  • Working closely with Finance, Operations, and Project Management teams to ensure accurate tracking of project spend, alignment with budgets, and appropriate accounting treatment under IFRS.
  • Ensuring accurate reporting of Group Capex and Group 'Below The Line' costs by Project, ensuring full reconciliation to the Capex and BTL nominal ledgers.
  • Working closely with the Transfer Pricing team to ensure all large Group investment projects capitalised accurately in line with Group policy.
  • Ensuring accurate reporting of all Opex Group Projects.
  • High level review, sampling and sign‑off of Group quarterly management recharge calculations for both Group SOC recharges and Group R&D/IP recharges.
  • Playing a key role in the timely implementation of tax‑compliant licence fee arrangements for cross charging Group IT projects capitalised within the IVCE Group.
  • Providing accounting knowledge to support the Group Tax and Transfer Pricing teams with proposal papers.
  • Leading on re‑building the Group management recharge process to ensure accurate accounting on the Group's new ERP system, with full reconciliation across 19 territories.
  • In the interim period ensuring full reconciliation across two accounting systems.
  • Leading on creating a new management recharge process in relation to Group IT and R&D.
• Other
  • Playing a key role in the restructure of the IVCE Holding Companies.
  • Collaborate with Department Heads across the business to provide financial expertise and support for strategic decision‑making.
  • Oversee the preparation of budgets and forecasts for the Holding Companies.
  • Preparing and finalising papers together with Group Tax to support transfer pricing activities and projects.
  • Providing accounting support for Group-level projects, including refinancing, restructuring, recapitalisations and equity injections.

Experience / Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a senior accounting role
• Experience of working in a complex multinational Group
• Strong understanding of IFRS and accounting principles
• Experience of reviewing statutory accounts and leading on audit queries
• Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills to effectively manage a team and work with other departments
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to identify issues, develop solutions, and ensure accuracy in financial reporting
• Excellent communication skills, incorporating written, verbal, presentation and reporting at all levels
• Relationship building skills

Following receipt of your application, you will be contacted by one of our experienced hire recruitment team. As a BAME and LGBTQ+ inclusive employer, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long‑term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.

What We Offer

• Work‑life balance
• 26 days annual leave
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
• Pension
• Discretionary Bonus
• Discounted staff pet care
• Dog Friendly office
• Free Parking available at Head Office

IVC Evidensia, The Chocolate Factory, Keynsham, BS31 2AU, United Kingdom

Any questions before applying? Speak to Neil Merritt from our recruitment team who would be happy to help you with any questions you have before applying for this role.