US Financial Controller

About the role

Harper May Ltd is seeking a US Financial Controller to own the accounting and reporting for its US subsidiary. Reporting to the Group CFO and based in the London head office, the role combines deep US GAAP expertise with hands‑on responsibility across a multi‑entity, multi‑currency group.

Key responsibilities

• Own month‑end close, management accounts and reporting for the US entity.
• Prepare US GAAP financial statements and support group consolidation under IFRS or UK GAAP.
• Manage relationships with outsourced US bookkeeping, tax and payroll providers.
• Handle US statutory reporting, federal and state tax compliance in partnership with external advisors.
• Oversee multi‑currency accounting, intercompany balances and FX exposure across the group.
• Support R&D tax incentive claims, clinical trial accounting and grant reporting where relevant.
• Strengthen financial controls, policies and processes for the US entity.
• Assist budgeting, forecasting and cash‑management activities for the US business.
• Partner with the Group CFO on funding rounds, investor reporting and ad‑hoc strategic projects.

Required profile

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or foreign equivalent).
• Proven experience preparing US GAAP reports and managing statutory reporting and tax compliance.
• Background in multi‑entity, multi‑currency group structures.
• Experience in life sciences, biotech, pharmaceuticals or scale‑up environments is preferred.
• Ability to work independently, own the close process and collaborate with senior stakeholders and external advisors.

Required skills

• US GAAP reporting
• IFRS and UK GAAP knowledge
• Multi‑currency accounting
• FX exposure management
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Cash‑management
• Statutory tax compliance (federal and state)