Group Financial Controller

As Group Financial Controller, you head our Finance Engine, Finance Controls, Financial Reporting and Group-wide Audit. That means you spearhead the application of our First and Second Line of Defence, which is integral in our maturing finance function. 

As our business continues to grow and evolve fast, there is a great opportunity for you as a leader to implement robust and timely reporting, controls, and continually improve and evolve and develop new processes. It is your opportunity to make and leave a lasting legacy on the Finance Function. 

This is all while staying true to our culture, ingredients (i.e. our values) and the pace at which we move. You work closely with stakeholders, both internal (Finance, Senior Management) and external (Banking relationships, Auditors, Credit Insurance, Lease providers) to ensure that they have the latest information for the Group at all times, while advancing our agenda to get better opportunities for the business. 

You report directly to the Group CFO and are a member of the senior finance leadership team.

What will be your key responsibilities:

• Ownership of Finance Engine – the Shared Services Centre – and ownership of global processes, R2R, P2P and O2C

• Day to day management of the SSC, Financial Reporting, Tax and Treasury Teams

• Own the production and accuracy of the financial accounting for the Group including statutory reporting​

• Ownership of the Group-wide Audit – from planning to glossy – including managing and mitigating audit adjustments over the course of the financial year

• Ownership and leading technical accounting policy across the Group

• Develop the strategic future of the Group Financial Control function including developing the vision for the team and subsequent execution ​

• Ensure a culture of strong financial control within the team as well as ensuring strong service levels are adhered to and maintained

• Lead and develop a strong and robust control environment ensuring adherence to reporting policies including owning the accounting policies and procedures

• Work closely with the Group CFO on matters relating to reporting to external stakeholders such as the investor board, banks and other third parties

• Take personal responsibility for leadership and managing change within the Finance team, developing colleagues and cultivating an environment of continuous improvement 

• Develop a high performing team aligned with the culture and values of the Group

• Work closely with other Group Functions and with senior stakeholders both inside and outside of the Group

• Provide direct support for the Group CFO for all areas of Group Reporting, Tax, Treasury and Investor Relations​

• Work closely with the Group’s external auditors to deliver a smooth, clean and timely external audit process

What experience should you have:

To be successful in this role, you will need to:

• Be fully qualified Finance Professional (ACA/CIMA/ACCA) and will possess a proactive, 'can-do' attitude

• Be adept at strategic decision making and will also be a passionate people leader who thrives on developing a function into a high performing team

• Have a strong understanding of IFRS reporting in a PLC or multi-national

• Have the presence to effectively engage and influence both at a senior level within the organisation and outside

In addition to the above, you must also show:

• Evidence of making a strong contribution to the overall management and development of a business, including sound financial control in an international accounting standards environment

• A strong grasp of working in a complex and fast paced international organisation.

• A strong commercial orientation and high-level strategic thinking, capable of challenging the status quo in a constructive manner​

• Significant thought leadership and a solutions mindset​

• Ability to lead significant change through influence and engagement at all levels within the business​

• Strong relationship and influencing skills ​

• Strong analytical and communication skills​

• Experience of driving a strong and robust financial control environment​

• Ability to engage and develop team and lead broad cross-business functional agenda​

• Strong grip on the finance fundamentals​

• Understanding of accounting and finance processes

• Experience working with Oracle, ideal but not essential