Finance Director in London

Directs the Financial Control activities for a real estate services / facilities management Global Occupier Account. Services include the operations and maintenance of office facilities within strict compliance with KPI’s stated within the Management Agreement, Policies and Procedures, and defined reforecast objectives. Working with the Managing Account Director, the successful candidate will be responsible for facilitating and ensuring budgetary control, adherence to reforecasts, oversight of the day-to-day activities of the finance team, accurate financial management and reporting of the account and lead procurement for the client team. The Finance Director ensures that the Account’s finance function is organized, efficient and produces accurate results in compliance with the Management Agreement. Specific goals include recommendations to encourage the continuous improvement of financial performance. The Finance Director will be a proactive member of the Account Management Team with direct involvement in and accountability for the overall financial performance.

Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field or equivalent experience
• Graduate work or CPA certification preferred
• 10 years’ experience in real estate industry, including at least 5 years in commercial property management
• 5 years supervisory or equivalent experience
• Understand SOC1 Compliance
• Excellent analytical and mathematical skills
• Working experience with real estate accounting systems, preferably Yardi, as well as internal and external audit functions
• Experience as a department head including business planning, budgeting, personnel management, and staff modeling
• Capability to manage, coach and counsel a team of financial professionals in the performance of their duties and identified goals and objectives
• Strong team player with the ability to build effective working relationships with individuals and client representatives
• Energetic, lateral thinker with an enquiring mind and a commercial approach
• High degree of personal drive and motivation to succeed
• Good communicator (written and verbal), with high quality report writing skills
• Ability to learn quickly and keep abreast of developments
• Committed to achievement of assigned goals and targets
• Ability to multi-task and maintain progress on multiple projects and processes

Principal Responsibilities

• Finance lead and business advisor to Client Managing Director
• Ensure high standards of financial control are maintained and that appropriate systems and internal controls are implemented, reviewed, and validated
• Management of the finance function and oversight of the finance team
• Anticipates the needs of the client to ensure that financial management continually adds tangible value
• Work with the Financial Team to ensure proper accounting and reporting of expenses and business tax implications (e.g. VAT, GST, TDS)
• Preparation of global budgets, forecasts, and cash flow reporting
• Forecasting, financial modeling and expense analysis
• Cash management and oversight of expense disbursements
• Identify potential risks and upsides to Budget or Forecast
• Maintenance of financial ledgers and accounting processes and controls
• Timely production of internal financial reports
• Monthly preparation of Monthly Funding and financial reporting to client
• Monthly preparation of Consolidated P&L and Balance Sheet
• Works closely with Regional Client Accounting Lead to ensure that financial management for all core and major accounts conform with Global Occupier Services standards
• Participates in training programs for core and major accounts financial employees (and clients who choose to participate); may conduct seminars and other programs that enhance employees' skills and morale
• Takes a lead role in staff meetings/conference calls with Group Client Accounting Managers to discuss strategies and pending financial issues
• Identifies best practices, continually enhancing efficiencies, and improving quality
• Provide constant direction to and communication with the Global Finance organization
• Meet at least weekly with all regional finance leads to ensure clear and consistent communication