Head of Group Accounting

Location: North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Environment: Private Equity-backed group | c. 50 legal entities

The Opportunity

We are supporting a private equity-backed group in North Rhine-Westphalia in the appointment of a Head of Group Accounting .

Operating across approximately 50 legal entities , the business is looking for an experienced accounting leader to take ownership of group-wide accounting, consolidation and financial reporting. The role will sit at the centre of the finance organisation and work closely with the CFO, local finance teams, auditors and the private equity shareholder.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical accounting expertise with a pragmatic, hands‑on approach. Alongside ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the group's financial reporting, they will play an important role in professionalising processes, improving reporting structures and supporting the continued development of the finance function in a fast-paced PE environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for Group Accounting across approximately 50 legal entities.
• Own and coordinate monthly, quarterly and annual closing processes across the group.
• Lead the preparation of consolidated group financial statements and ensure consistent application of accounting policies.
• Manage the consolidation process, including intercompany reconciliations, eliminations and group reporting.
• Ensure the quality, accuracy and timeliness of financial information produced by subsidiaries.
• Develop and maintain group-wide accounting policies, processes and controls.
• Act as the central technical accounting contact for local finance teams and senior management.
• Coordinate external audits and manage relationships with auditors, tax advisers and other external stakeholders.
• Support the CFO with reporting requirements towards the private equity shareholder, lenders and other stakeholders.
• Drive improvements in closing timelines, reporting quality, standardisation and automation.
• Identify opportunities to further professionalise the accounting organisation, systems and internal control environment.
• Support the integration of newly acquired businesses, including accounting alignment, consolidation and reporting requirements.
• Partner with FP&A, Controlling, Tax, Treasury and other finance functions to ensure consistent and reliable group financial information.
• Build, develop and lead the Group Accounting team and establish clear responsibilities across central and local finance functions.
• Support broader finance transformation and value-creation initiatives as the group continues to develop.

Candidate Profile

• Several years of relevant experience in Group Accounting, Consolidation and Financial Reporting , ideally within a complex multi-entity organisation.
• Strong understanding of German accounting requirements; additional IFRS expertise would be advantageous depending on the group's reporting framework.
• Demonstrable experience managing consolidation across multiple legal entities.
• Experience within a private equity-backed, highly acquisitive or fast-growing environment would be highly relevant.
• Comfortable operating in an organisation undergoing professionalisation and change.
• Experience integrating acquisitions or newly established entities into group accounting structures is advantageous.
• Strong understanding of accounting processes, internal controls and audit requirements.
• Experience improving or implementing accounting and consolidation systems would be beneficial.
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams while remaining operationally hands‑on when required.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work directly with senior management, auditors and external advisers.
• Structured, detail-oriented and deadline-driven, while maintaining a commercial understanding of the wider business.
• Fluent German and strong English skills.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical finance function within a sizeable PE-backed, multi-entity group . The role offers significant exposure to senior management and the shareholder while providing the opportunity to shape and professionalise Group Accounting rather than simply maintain an established structure.

For someone who enjoys combining technical accounting, leadership, transformation and M&A-driven complexity , the position offers a broad remit and the opportunity to have a visible impact on the continued development of the group.