Head of Financial Reporting

Based just south of Manchester my client is a large international business looking for a Head of Financial Reporting for an 18 month contract.

The purpose of the role is to provide complete, accurate and timely IFRS and new UK GAAP (FRS 102) accounting expertise and advice. You will also have responsibility for the preparation of the Groups half year and full year financial statements under International Reporting Standards (IFRS’s) for presentation to the Board and Audit Committee. Managing the external auditors and internal contributors. Ensure legal and technical requirements, quality standards and deadlines are met and that there is sign-off from external auditors.

Duties of the role will include:

• Providing on-going accounting support to divisional finance teams / FP&A / commercial teams to ensure any accounting implications are factored into any commercial decisions appraisals and impact on reporting is understood
• Provide an independent review and challenge around Balance Sheet reporting for the Group on a periodic basis
• Liaison with the external auditors throughout the year to ensure appropriate and timely communication and ensure well prepared for their fieldwork visits.
• Responsibility for the development and maintenance of accounting policies and governance of the financial processes, ensuring standards and accounting policies are aligned across all legal entities.
• Development and delivery of training refresh for accountants within the business to ensure awareness of new accounting standard changes, appropriate recording of financial entries and compliance with accounting policies.
• Work closely with the other Heads of within Group Finance to deliver the Group strategy and ensure continued engagement, talent planning and succession within the wider team.
• To work and support on various ad hoc accounting projects as required. This may include, but would not be limited to, projects connected with systems developments, implementing new processes and specific accounting analysis.

The right candidate for this role will have:

• A strong background in designing, implementing and reviewing financial processes, procedures and controls in large businesses.
• The ability to prioritise efficiently, manage workload and be proactive in seeking improvements to the processes with a core focus on optimisation and delivery.
• Strong IT skills, including Excel, and the ability to learn new IT systems and processes.
• Strong communication skills both written and oral with proven experience in influencing senior stakeholders and ability to summarise complex information into concise and value adding insights.
• ACA Chartered Accountancy qualification with a minimum of 5 years PQE.
• Strong SAP knowledge and experience.

In return an excellent package is offered with this role along with bonus, car allowance and hybrid working.