At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial reporting, manage audits, and provide strategic accounting guidance.
- Company: Join a renowned retail group known for its dynamic environment and growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Enjoy board-level visibility, professional development, and a chance to drive impactful changes.
- Why this job: This role offers high-impact responsibilities and the chance to shape financial strategies.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 4+ years of experience in financial reporting and audit management.
- Other info: Immediate start required; ideal for those seeking a challenging interim leadership role.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Communicate is partnering with a well-known listed retail group as they seek to appoint an Interim Head of Financial Reporting. This is a pivotal role during a busy reporting period, focused on delivering high-quality consolidated financial statements, overseeing audits, and providing strategic technical accounting guidance.
The successful candidate will lead a small but high-performing team, manage external audit relationships, and drive process improvements across financial reporting. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced financial reporting leader to step into a high-impact role with board-level visibility.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead the preparation and review of consolidated financial statements for the Group and its subsidiaries, ensuring full compliance with IFRS and relevant regulatory standards.
- Manage the annual audit and interim review process, serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors.
- Draft and review technical accounting papers and policy documentation, offering clear recommendations to senior leadership.
- Provide expert guidance on technical accounting issues, including new standards, M&A activity, and group structuring.
- Oversee reporting to lenders, ensuring covenant compliance and timely submissions.
- Work closely with the Finance Director, supporting on refinancing scenarios, corporate modelling, and strategic projects.
- Review and enhance management accounts, offering clear, board-level commentary and insights.
- Ensure appropriate working capital treatment and maintain accurate reconciliations within the cash flow statement.
- Lead and develop the Group Financial Accountant, providing coaching and oversight.
- Manage corporation tax compliance in coordination with external advisors, including deferred tax calculations and planning.
- Support banking relationships, including payment approvals and operational liaison.
- Identify and drive improvements across reporting processes, controls, and systems.
- Provide ad hoc analysis and support to the wider finance leadership team as needed.
- Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA or equivalent), ideally trained in a Big 4 environment.
- Minimum 4 years post-qualified experience, with a strong technical accounting background.
- Previous experience in a listed company and working knowledge of reporting requirements for public entities.
- Proven track record of managing audit processes and preparing complex consolidated financial statements.
- Strong Excel and financial modelling skills, with the ability to interpret and challenge complex data sets.
- A confident communicator who can work closely with senior stakeholders, including the Board, auditors, and banks.
- Available to start immediately.
If you’re a technically strong, delivery-focused financial leader with experience in listed environments and a hands-on approach, we’d love to hear from you.
Interim Head of Financial Reporting employer: Communicate Recruitment Solutions LTD
Contact Detail:
Communicate Recruitment Solutions LTD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Head of Financial Reporting
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the financial reporting field, especially those who have experience in listed companies. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends and challenges in financial reporting.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with IFRS standards and recent changes that may impact financial reporting. Being well-versed in these regulations will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences managing audit processes and leading teams. Be ready to share specific examples of how you improved financial reporting processes or resolved complex accounting issues in your past roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company’s financial history and current standing in the market. Understanding their business model and recent developments will help you tailor your discussions and show your genuine interest in the role during interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Head of Financial Reporting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in financial reporting, particularly in listed companies. Emphasise your qualifications, such as ACA/ACCA, and any relevant Big 4 training.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address the key responsibilities mentioned in the job description. Showcase your leadership experience, technical accounting skills, and ability to manage audits and external relationships.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your achievements in preparing consolidated financial statements and managing audit processes. Use specific examples to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role requires interaction with senior stakeholders, make sure to highlight your communication skills. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated complex financial information to non-financial audiences.
How to prepare for a job interview at Communicate Recruitment Solutions LTD
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your technical accounting knowledge in detail. Highlight your experience with IFRS and any relevant regulatory standards, as well as your familiarity with the complexities of consolidated financial statements.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a small team, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed and developed teams in the past. Discuss your coaching style and how you foster a high-performance culture.
✨Prepare for Audit Discussions
As the primary contact for external auditors, it's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the audit process. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences managing audits and how you ensure compliance and smooth communication.
✨Engage with Strategic Insights
This position requires providing strategic guidance to senior leadership. Prepare to discuss how you've contributed to corporate modelling, refinancing scenarios, or M&A activities in your previous roles, showcasing your ability to think strategically.