Job Description

To be the technical financial accounting expert for the group responsible for advising on the accounting implications of complex transactions. You will advise on the implications of changes to financial reporting requirements, including new IFRS or changes to the local authority Code, as well as advising on matters relating to the Prudential Code and on all statutory account disclosure issues. Key accountabilities:

• Lead on the accounting treatment of complex transactions including acquisitions, hedging, leasing, Private Finance Initiative or Private Public Partnership transactions.
• Advise business partners of the accounting and financial implications of proposed contractual arrangements and identify issues and propose alternative structures where necessary.
• Act as the main point of contact and coordinator for multi-disciplinary projects involving tax, treasury, corporate finance, FSC, and modes.
• Ensure that comprehensive accounting policies are in place, in line with the relevant accounting framework (IFRS and Local Authority Code), and reviews and updates on a regular basis.
• Advise on the implications for the Group of proposed changes in the local authority accounting regulations and IFRS; and ensure Group financial reporting follows all statutory and best practice requirements.
• Lead on the implementation across the Group of new accounting standards by acting as a technical expert, as well as project managing the overall implementation from start to finish.
• Handle the technical content of all statutory financial statements (Group and individual entities), ensuring that all comply with all relevant legislative requirements and that disclosure is complete and accurate.
• Coordinate with external auditors on technical accounting matters where necessary.
• Support the Head of External Financial Reporting in the establishment of the department as a recognized “Centre of Excellence” for the provision of accounting advisory services and robust financial reporting.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA/ACA/CIMA).
• Excellent ability to interpret IFRS accounting standards and apply them to complex transactions.
• Professional Accounting principles and standards including technical accounting advisory IFRS.
• Treasury Financial Accounting principles and standards.
• Good knowledge of Local Authority standards and financial statutory duties.
• Extensive experience in a senior financial accounting position.
• Significant experience of leading all finance-related aspects of business acquisitions or disposals, including systems acquisition accounting, reporting, liaison with Tax and legal advisors etc.
• Experience of structured finance transactions (e.g. Private Finance Initiatives, and of financial instruments).
• Experience of working in the Group Finance function of a large organization with multiple divisions and practical experience of management and statutory consolidations, or equivalent experience of auditing similar organizations.
• Significant experience of producing or auditing complex published accounts for listed group or similar organization.
• Preparing financial transactions, statements and information.
• Preparing consolidated financial statements.
• Planning and preparing for Audits.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Extensive experience of report writing, particularly technical accounting papers and memos.