About the Company
Our client is a global solar technology leader that provides the most comprehensive, integrated platform of structural, electrical, and digital solutions to capture the full value of solar power plants. They are the number one in global market-share with an average, in-country market share of 30%.
They are creative, collaborative and passionate problem-solvers from diverse backgrounds, driven by a shared mission to provide smart solar hardware and software solutions to mitigate climate change for future generations. People, Community, Environment, Innovation, and Integrity are their cornerstone values.
As part of a product expansion, they have acquired a number of technology adjacent businesses, and now require a Head of Finance for the acquired business in Germany.
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About the Role
The Head of Finance is a critical finance leadership position and will be responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective controllership environment with leadership responsibility for the integrity of the financial statements, accounting operations, financial close, technical accounting, statutory reporting, internal controls, audit, financial governance, and compliance of the business. The role will ensure appropriate alignment between local statutory requirements, IFRS and U.S. GAAP, and the company’s global accounting policies, reporting requirements, and control framework.
In addition, this individual will be expected to operate as a strategic finance leader and trusted business partner, bringing financial insight, disciplined decision-making, and an enterprise perspective to the leadership team. The Controller will work extensively across Finance partnering with FP&A, Tax, Treasury, Logistics, Supply Chain, Operations, Legal, and Internal Controls.
Key Responsibilities
• Establish a strong, scalable, and disciplined accounting and controllership environment.
• Ensure timely, accurate, complete, and well-controlled financial reporting across an international business.
• Successfully align and harmonize the acquired organization with the company’s accounting policies, financial reporting, systems, controls, and operating model.
• Build strong bridges between the Germany-based organization and the company’s global Finance organization.
• Maintain appropriate compliance with U.S. GAAP, IFRS, local statutory requirements, SOX, and the company’s accounting policies.
• Develop a high-performing controllership team with clear accountability, strong technical capabilities, and a continuous-improvement mindset.
• Become a trusted strategic partner to business and finance leadership while maintaining the independence, judgment, and professional skepticism expected of a senior Controller.
Requirements
• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Commerce and a professional accounting qualification (US CPA, ACA, or Wirtschaftsprüfer (WP)).
• Substantial accounting and finance experience, with experience leading a controllership or accounting organization in both German privately owned and US listed companies.
• Deep technical knowledge of IFRS and U.S. GAAP, including experience analyzing and resolving complex accounting matters.
• Strong understanding of SOX, internal controls over financial reporting, financial governance, and external audit requirements.
• Experience managing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close and reporting processes.
• Demonstrated experience working across multiple legal entities, currencies, jurisdictions, and international operations.
• Strong knowledge of German statutory accounting and reporting requirements, with broader familiarity with European financial reporting and compliance environments.
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing accounting and finance teams during periods of change and transformation.
• Ability to work effectively across European and U.S. time zones and travel internationally as required.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing and operational accounting, including inventory, standard costing, production variances, reserves, freight, and project profitability.
• Experience with global ERP implementations, using business intelligence, analytics, and automation tools to improve controllership processes and financial visibility.
• Integrity, intellectual curiosity and the ability to be both a strategic business partner and an independent financial steward.
• A hands-on leadership style and willingness to engage deeply in the details.
• Strong communication skills, a collaborative approach and ability to operate in a matrixed global organisation.
• Fluent in German and English.
• European citizen or permanent resident.
Location
Eberhardzell, Oberessendorf), Germany.
What’s on offer
€120,000 – €160,000 + bonus and equity, with some relocation assistance if required.
A high performance, highly supportive and collaborative team culture.
Why this role matters
This role will be crucial in ensuring that the acquired business can capture the opportunities that come with new ownership while meeting the financial standards and expectations of a global public company. For the right person, this is an opportunity to have a meaningful influence during a significant period of change and growth, rather than simply inherit a mature finance function and maintain the status quo.
Freshwater Group
Freshwater Group is a best practice renewable energy recruitment business that focuses on all renewable and low carbon emission, energy efficiency and disruptive clean technology businesses as well as energy infrastructure, storage, and management.
Freshwater Group: Great People Better Outcomes
Freshwater Group is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. We encourage applications from candidates with culturally diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous Australians. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or religion.