Purpose of the role

The role is in the Europe Finance team, with a focus on;

• Maintaining strong financial control of the general ledger, accurate and timely management information
•Active involvement in the month end close, ensuring revenue and costs are correctly recorded within the specified deadlines.
• Ensuring that the Senior Management are effectively supported by the Finance department
• Timely and accurate analysis of the P&L and movements in certain balance sheet accounts
•Liaising with non-UK European finance teams to assist in reporting of their numbers
Supporting the Group Finance team with technical accounting issues and implementation of new accounting standards.
•Responsibility for controlling the ledger of one non-UK trading entity, including business partnering with key stakeholders, submitting regulatory returns and preparation of management accounts.
•Reviewing and approving journals produced by the offshore shared services centre
•Managing and liaising with offshore team to further improve efficiencies
•Proactive involvement in implementing our new state of the art ERP system, finding opportunities to improve processes and implement automation

Key responsibilities of the role

Financial Accounting and Control
•Maintenance of accurate ledgers and ensuring journals are raised in line with policies
•Working with business partners to ensure completeness and accuracy of revenue postings
• Control certain high risk balance sheet areas, production of reconciliations and analytical information to ensure appropriate treatments
•Liaison with external auditors throughout the audit process, as well as external financial support services
•Capitalisation of internally developed software and management of accruals and prepayments,
•Proactive in suggesting improvements in current management information and working with business, IT, other teams, and finance to deliver high quality solutions to meet business needs
• Responsibility for the preparation of statutory accounts for a small number of entities, in accordance with GAAP including supporting schedules for trial balance

Management Reporting
•Develop strong relationships with relevant stakeholders both within the wider Finance function and the wider business
•Maintain in depth knowledge of the business profile and the wider industry
•Production of timely & accurate management information, including detailed analysis and commentary which are clearly communicated to wider finance team
• Preparation of management accounts including the posting of journal adjustments to our newly implemented financial accounting system, with a mindset of identifying flaws and proposing opportunities to improve the user experience for future roll outs.

Qualifications / Educational Requirements

•         Good academic background, with strong A levels

•         Educated to degree standard – preferable, but not essential

•         Qualified accountant: ACA / ACCA / CIMA

Relevant Experience

•         Accounting and finance related experience gained in industry or in practice

•         Experience of preparing a set of financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP or IFRS

•         Excellent analytical and relationship building skills

•         Ability to thrive in a finance transformational environment and ability to adapt to changes

•         Demonstrate controls-based mindset

•         Hands-on, solutions-focused approach

•         Open to challenge the status quo and where appropriate, develop rounded solutions

•         Investigative nature with the desire to learn and improve

•         Proven ability to drive changes and implement new policies / processes

•         Demonstrate ability to work well as a team

•         Experience of working in a high paced deadline driven environment

•         Preferable exposure to Financial Services but strong Non-Financial Services considered

•         Intermediate to Advanced Excel skills