France Finance Lead - Accounting & Process Transformation

Mars Veterinary Health (MVH) Europe is a family of leading veterinary care providers committed to creating a better world for pets. Our network includes trusted brands such as AniCura and Linnaeus, operating over 500 animal hospitals and clinics across 17 European countries, delivering high‑quality modern veterinary care for companion animals and ensuring peace of mind for pet owners through excellent access and patient safety.

Role Overview

The Head of Accounting France ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, leads and develops the accounting team, and oversees various accounting and financial operations activities to comply with accounting standards and company policies. The role collaborates closely with MVHE Group Accounting and Financial Operations teams, drives transformation projects with Regional, Global and Corporate Accounting & Reporting teams, and delivers financial operations in line with KPIs, SLAs and stakeholder experience. The position is a hybrid role based in Lyon three days a week, with occasional travel across EU Group locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of six accounting professionals and contractors.
• Set up and reshape critical financial processes in a dynamic and growing environment.
• Ensure the accuracy of periodic financial reporting to Mars Group (US GAAP) and the statutory French GAAP annual financial statements.
• Present balance‑sheet movements to the management team.
• Serve as the main point of contact for authorities, bank, internal and external auditors, and tax advisors.
• Identify and monitor provisions and maintain general ledger accounts.
• Handle ongoing business transactions and ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams including market operations, business controllers, clinics, and MVHE to ensure effective financial processes, compliance and reporting.
• Initiate and lead projects to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness within the finance function.

Summary of the Role

• Job Title: Head of Accounting France
• Department: Finance
• Reports To: Director Record-to-Report Operations
• Location: Lyon, France
• Contract: Full‑time
• Languages: Fluent English and French

Education & Professional Qualifications

• University degree in Economics, Finance or Accounting.
• Professional certification such as ACCA, CIMA, CA, or CPA preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 10 + years of experience in accounting and financial reporting, including at least 5 years in people‑management roles.
• Proven experience structuring, optimising and scaling accounting processes.
• Strong proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel.
• Experience with Oracle, Blackline and/or OneStream is an advantage.
• Fluency in English; French language skills.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and collaboration skills.
• Structured, detail‑oriented and able to work independently in a complex environment.

Strong advantages include

• Experience in private‑equity backed or M&A‑driven organisations.
• Exposure to managed service operations.
• Participation in or leadership of large‑scale finance transformation initiatives.
• Background in audit.

Key Competencies

• Builds effective teams.
• Manages complexity.
• Ensures accountability.
• Communicates effectively.Balances stakeholders.

Mars Veterinary Health is an equal‑opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Internal Candidates: If you are interested in this role, please reach out to the Corporate Recruiter to learn more about the internal recruitment process.