Head of General Accounting (FTC until February 2028) in Colchester

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Bertelsmann Global Business Services (BGBS) team based in Frating, Colchester on a fixed term basis until February 2028. As the Head of the General Accounting team within our UK Accounting Shared Services Centre, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of key finance functions. Your leadership will be crucial in providing timely and accurate reporting to Bertelsmann SE & Co KGaA's subsidiary interests in the UK.

Managing a team of 25, including 5 direct reports, you will be instrumental in delivering SLA services, controls, and compliance activities. Your efforts will drive the future success of BGBS and help establish BGBS as a Centre of Excellence in the UK region. BGBS is an accounting shared service centre established in 2018 to provide accounting functions for Bertelsmann group companies in the UK.

Key Responsibilities:

• Be the lead contact and establish strong relationships with Penguin Random House, BMG and Arvato as our main customers, working closely with them to provide excellent accounting solutions.
• Lead and develop the General Accounting team of 5 direct and 20 indirect reports, ensuring proper and timely accounting and reporting of all companies where reporting is carried out by BGBS.
• Coordinate the closing and reporting process of all companies.
• Deliver client Management Account and Financial Account activities through strong foundations of Balance Sheet control.
• Ensure all key controls are performed as documented and tested to schedule, ensuring correct application of Group Accounting Policies.
• Maintain a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with external parties including clients and advisors.
• Continuous improvement of process quality and efficiency; cost centre/revenue planning and compliance with agreed cost centre targets.
• Monitor the timeliness, completeness and compliance of process documentation and work instructions, the effectiveness of the Internal Control System and the provision of verifying documentation.
• Assist with Project Management of future client transitions into the BGBS Framework.
• Support the roll out of robotic process automation in PRH, identifying key processes that can be automated and provide efficiencies.

What you’ll bring:

• A qualified Chartered Accountant with one of the UK CCAB chartered professional bodies, including CIMA.
• Significant post‑qualification experience in a similar role.
• Extensive experience using IT systems, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Strong understanding of key accounting concepts through on‑the‑job training and study.
• In‑depth knowledge of general reporting requirements for a company, both internally and externally, and their importance to the organisation.
• Meticulous attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to work effectively and inclusively with a diverse range of people both within and outside the organisation.
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to influence a wide range of stakeholders.
• Problem‑solving abilities and the capacity to multi‑task and prioritise effectively.
• Capability to work independently and manage a team with emotional intelligence, flexibility, and a focus on fostering personal growth.
• A business‑minded, performance‑focused approach, with an awareness of organisational dynamics and a champion of teamwork and inclusivity.

Salary: £70,000 – £80,000 dependent on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus bonus and benefits.

Hybrid working: For this role we expect that you will work from our office in Frating, Essex three days per week.