Financial Controller – EMEA North and ME

Location: United Kingdom Department: Finance – Financial Control and Reporting Employment Type: Permanent Remote Work: Remote (Sophos operates a remote-first working model, making remote work the primary option for most employees. Some roles may require a hybrid approach. Applicants must have legal authorization to work in the jurisdiction where the position is posted, without requiring employer sponsorship.)

About Us

Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services. Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks. Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response. Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies — including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM. Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats. Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

Role Summary

As a key member of the EMEA Financial Control team, you will be responsible for the month end close, variance analysis and monthly cash flow reporting for Sophos Ltd. This will involve working closely with the Global Process owners to ensure areas such as GRNI, prepayments and fixed assets are controlled and accounted for correctly. You will support the EMEA Financial Controller to ensure smooth month end close and enable the production of UK GAAP entity level financial statements. You will also take ownership of the preparation of monthly management accounts for the Dubai and Thailand Rep offices and be responsible for the annual audits and local statutory filings for these countries. In addition, you will have responsibility for all aspects of accounting and compliance for the Sophos Ireland, Sweden and Romania legal entities. This includes all elements of the finance function covering general ledger, balance sheet control, preparation of local statutory accounts, annual audits and all local tax compliance. You will be responsible for the month end close, variance analysis and monthly cash flow reporting. You will also work closely with the centralised Accounts Payable and Payroll teams and review their outputs prior to approval.

What You Will Do

Financial Control:

• Responsible for month end accounting to strict deadlines. Submit month end accounts for UK, Ireland, Sweden and Romania for review and approval by EMEA Financial Controller
• Provide analysis for monthly/quarterly/annual variances to Plan/Forecast on costs with significant variances investigated and justified where applicable to EMEA Financial Controller
• Ownership and first review of all balance sheet account reconciliations and preparation of all information on a monthly basis for review with EMEA Financial Controller
• Preparation of annual statutory reporting requirements; main point of contact for annual audit of Ireland, Sweden, Romania legal entities as well as Sophos Ltd Rep Offices in Dubai and Thailand
• Assist in preparation of annual statutory reporting requirements; support interim & annual audits for Sophos Ltd
• Manage Sales tax (VAT), WHT, all indirect & corporate income tax returns ensuring deadlines are met; complete tax questionnaires accurately on time for Ireland entity
• Coordinate & prepare detailed monthly cash flow forecast & reporting for UK, Ireland, Sweden & Romania entities; ensure corporate treasury policy compliance
• Responsible for corporation tax pack analysis for review by EMEA Financial Controller
• Complete monthly/quarterly/annual Office for National Statistics surveys
• Prepare & action timetable detailing tasks for monthly activities; manage & monitor activities ensuring smooth & timely close; maintain fully documented procedure manual updated continuously
• Ensure compliance with internal policies & controls (expenses, travel policy etc.), providing review & sign-off
• Support other finance/accounting functions (tax, commercial finance) in data analysis including supporting annual R&D Tax Credit submission

What You Will Bring

Essential:

• Understanding of accounting practices & standards under IFRS & UK GAAP
• Experience working with external auditors, tax advisors & local consultants
• Practical experience in all aspects of month end & annual closing accounting
• Experience working within a highly sales driven & fast-moving culture
• Financial acumen - interpreting key financial indicators to understand business
• Global perspective - broad view when approaching issues
• Planning & aligning - ability to plan/prioritize workloads to meet commitments/goals
• Accountability - ensuring responsibility is taken seriously
• Collaboration - building relationships & working well with others
• Decision quality - making good/timely decisions
• Managing ambiguity - operating effectively when things are unclear
• Action oriented - energetic approach to new opportunities/challenges
• Optimizes work processes - focus on continuous improvement through effective/efficient processes
• Accounting qualification: ACA or ACCA equivalent
• Sound understanding of IFRS & UK GAAP accrual accounting principles
• Maintain knowledge on rules/regulations governing local entities

Desirable:

• Improving processes & controls
• Experience working within a software company or global organization supporting global actions/initiatives
• Minimum 3 years post qualification experience in industry
• Experience working with SAP
• Familiarity with corporation tax & VAT filing requirements for Ireland
• Experience in planning processes & budget setting
• Self development mindset – actively seeking growth/challenges
• Project training

Ready to Join Us?

At Sophos we value diverse perspectives that fuel innovation. Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every single requirement.

What's Great About Sophos?

• Remote-first working model (primary option is remote work)
• Innovative people culture combined with fun/team spirit
• Employee-led diversity/inclusion networks
• Charity/fundraising initiatives plus volunteer days
• Global sustainability initiatives
• Global fitness/trivia competitions
• Global wellbeing days plus monthly wellbeing webinars/training

Our Commitment To You

Sophos is committed to diversity/inclusion/equality of opportunity regardless of gender identity/status/race/religion/color/age/veteran status/disability/pregnancy/maternity/sexual orientation. Adjustments can be made during recruitment process upon request.

Data Protection

Personal data shared during application will be held by Sophos for 12 months per Privacy Policy used by recruitment team only. AI tools may assist recruitment but final decisions made by humans.

Skills Mentioned:

• Accounting practices under IFRS & UK GAAP
• Month end closing accounting
• Variance analysis
• Cash flow forecasting
• Balance sheet reconciliations
• Statutory reporting/audits
• Tax compliance: VAT/Sales tax/WHT/corporate income tax returns
• Use of SAP (desirable)
• Planning/budget setting (desirable)
• R&D Tax Credit submission support

Experience Level Indicators:

• Essential: Accounting qualification ACA or ACCA equivalent
• Minimum 3 years post qualification experience in industry (desirable)

Employment Type:

Permanent

Location:

United Kingdom

Remote Work:

Remote-first organization; primary option is remote work but some hybrid roles possible; legal authorization required without employer sponsorship