Job Description

The role will have responsibility for: Journals & Intercompany across company, the Reconciliation of balance sheets, Balance Sheet reporting, Yearend accounts disclosures and audit management and supporting the Planning Budgeting & Forecasting process across our divisional finance teams.

You’ll also develop and, through the team leads in the R2A team, deliver financial accounting and reporting services consistent with group and divisional requirements and drive compliance with internal controls and the central close timetable.

You’ll drive a culture of continuous improvement within the R2A team through the development and implementation of financial processes to enhance customer experience and reduce costs by creating an environment of challenge and innovation.
Key Accountabilities

• Lead the team to focus on delivering an excellent service to the business while looking to improve efficiency and cost savings 
• Proactively contribute and support the development and implementation of the strategic plan in line with business needs, and reflect good practice service delivery
• Manage effective resource and activity demand planning and as part of the annual budget setting process 
• Manage the effective use of staff and accounting systems and coordinate activities between the finance and business teams to develop and agree key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics and ensure the delivery of these for R2A activities
• Oversee the production of statutory and financial accounting information consistent with statutory guidelines and accounting policies. 
• Direct the provision of high quality financial reporting and accounting support services to Group and Finance divisions ensuring an appropriate escalation process is embedded in the R2A team to manage critical risks and issues.
• Lead the relationship with the external auditors on behalf of Group and Finance divisions, ensuring audit risks and requirements are anticipated to minimize company's reputational risk and direct the provision of information to the auditors 
• Lead the design and implementation of internal process and financial controls to ensure efficiency and effectiveness is maintained
• Keep informed of industry and regulatory trends and prepare the team to respond to the changing business environment 
• Engage in multiple client relationships both internally and externally to ensure that the level of service provided is efficient and credible and meets the needs of its customers
• Drive the required cultural attributes across the team including focus on compliance and service delivery

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills with both internal and external stakeholders from a finance and non-finance background - essential 
• Excellent attention to detail, with strong numeracy, analytical and critical thinking skills – essential
• Excellent understanding of professional accounting principles & standards (including technical accounting advisory) - essential 
• Proven ability to manage senior stakeholders both internally and externally
• Ability to negotiate, influence and challenge at senior management level within finance and the wider business 
• Good understanding of the development of accounting related controls to mitigate any R2A process related risks
• Ability to manage a team 
• Ability to lead the planning and preparation for audits
• Ability to learn and use new financial tools and reporting systems
• Excellent knowledge of general accounting processes and understanding of how they fit in with other BSF, Finance and business processes 
• Strong knowledge of financial accounting principles and standards through relevant qualification (CCAB or equivalent) – essential
• Good knowledge of financial compliance and reporting along with requirements in relation to accounting standards (IFRS), Local Authority Code, including an understanding of business processes, systems and controls – essential 
• The ability to interpret and report financial information and data to a high standard and a good understanding of performance reporting and the relationship to drive continuous improvement
• Knowledge of emerging trends and good practice in Record to Account process area - essential 
• Knowledge of using modern Finance/ERP systems preferably SAP
• Knowledge and understanding of how finance teams operate within a shared service delivery function 
• Good understanding of controls in a large and complex environment - essential
• Good understanding of the public sector environment

• Experience in delivering and deploying Record to Account processes in a shared services environment 
• Extensive experience of preparing final accounts in accordance with the Local Authority Code and IFRS – essential
• Experience of managing external audits – essential 
• Experience of managing a technical team ensuring high standards of delivery and co-ordination in a large organization – essential
• Experience of managing, training, coaching, developing and motivating staff/colleagues - essential 
• Proven ability in identifying, developing and implementing finance and accounting process improvements
• Experience of working in a multifaceted environment dealing with multiple stakeholders 
• Experience in using ERP systems, SAP experience desirable