Group Financial Controller in Leeds

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Group Financial Controller to join our finance team based in Leeds; this will be a hybrid role with a requirement of 3 days in the office. The Group Financial Controller will ensure timely, robust and accurate financial reporting, compliance with statutory requirements and the implementation of robust financial controls. The position plays a key role in strategic planning, budgeting, and supporting business growth through sound financial management. You will support the directors and senior leadership team on all finance matters.

You will manage and develop the Transactional (AR/AP) and Management Accounts teams within the Finance department, which currently comprises 12 staff. The role has responsibility for the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable processes, as well as management accounting, balance sheet control, working capital optimisation, cash flow forecasting and leading the year-end and interim audit processes and production of annual statutory accounts. The GFC is also in charge of all other finance statutory compliance matters including VAT and payroll taxes.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop the Transactional (AR/AP) and Management Accounts teams to become high performing.
• Cashflow reporting and forecasting on a weekly basis.
• Be responsible for group monthly consolidated reporting on business performance, managing the Management Accounts team and the month-end process, and ensure that balance sheet reconciliations are prepared and reviewed for all GL accounts on a reasonable rotation basis.
• Ensure any issues or reconciling items are followed up and cleared in a timely manner.
• Improve the month-end close timetable, from an 8-9 day close to at least a 6-day close cycle.
• The successful candidate will be a person not afraid to increase system automation, make changes where needed and drive the improvement process throughout the team with inspiring leadership.
• A track record of process improvement needs to be demonstrable.
• Optimise working capital by effective management of Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable teams and issues.
• Deliver annual group statutory results across 9 legal entities (2 trading, 7 holding) including primary financial statements, consolidation, cash flows, and disclosure notes under FRS102.
• Manage the audit requirements at year-end and interim audit and streamline the audit process.
• Manage the relationship with the clearing banks.
• This role may also require you to hold the position as treasurer for the EMED foundation and will therefore require you to attend monthly charity meetings with internal stakeholders and the charity trustees as a lead on all financial matters i.e. donation control, end-of-year accounts etc.
• Support the CEO, CFO and the Commercial and Operations teams on all financial matters.
• Develop and nurture strong, positive relationships with key stakeholders (internal and external).
• Foster a collaborative, problem-solving and positive cross-departmental mind-set and help to create a ‘one team’ mentality to deliver common goals.
• Lead the Finance team in changing and improving all internal processes and deliverables.

Qualifications

• Experience – A professionally qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with extensive post-qualification knowledge and experience in producing both management and statutory accounts and managing teams.
• A high level of competence in presenting financial results and confident articulation of financial concepts to non-finance people is also required.
• Not afraid to challenge status quo and make suggestions for change.
• Excel skills – Advanced knowledge of Excel to produce reports and analysis. V-lookups, IF formulas and Pivot tables are essential.
• Technical skills – A strong knowledge of accounting principles and practice including FRS102, IFRS16, audit processes, tax and VAT. Private Equity background welcome.
• Organisational skills – Personal efficiency and ability to prioritise competing demands (and those of others), thriving when working under pressure and time constraints.
• Communications skills – Ability to clearly communicate across a range of stakeholders, manage diverse personalities and viewpoints and quickly build relationships and collaborate with others.
• Coaching and mentoring – proficient in developing skills and mentoring people towards change and process improvements.
• Trust – Unafraid of giving opinions and expertise where required along with having the highest level of integrity.
• Problem Solver – Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and knowledge of what makes a Finance function successful.
• Travel – the role is Leeds office based but must be prepared to travel to other UK offices when required.
• Experience of consolidating legal entities is a preferred but not essential.
• The successful candidate must be highly trusted, organised and confident in their staff management as well as managing “upwards”, i.e. providing timely analysis and meaningful commentaries to the CFO.
• Collaboration and leadership are of key importance as the role will have contact across all areas of the business, in particular Operations, Commercial and Financial Planning & Analysis.

Our Values

• Collaborative – we work as one team with a shared purpose to meet the needs of our patients, passengers, colleagues, customers, communities, and the planet.
• Agile – We listen, learn and adapt to improve the business, each other, and ourselves.
• Reliable – We do what we say we will do, we take responsibility, and we behave with integrity.
• Empowered – We are confident and committed to taking responsibility to deliver the highest quality service.

About Us

The exciting merger of ERS Medical and E-Zec Medical has enabled us to rebrand, therefore as a combined business we are now known as EMED Group. We are the largest Patient Transport and Care Partner to the NHS with circa 4,000 colleagues across 60 depots. Our ambition is to continue developing patient care transport services that improve the health and wellbeing for people across our local communities by providing transport that supports patient care, community support, secure mental health and medical courier services.

EMED Group are committed to providing services for our patients, service users, clients, and community and is supported by employees with an increasing variety of backgrounds. To do this effectively it is essential that we promote equality and embrace diversity and inclusion and treat all of our employees, patients, service users and clients with dignity and respect. EMED Group is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination, with our aim being to be truly representative of all sections of society and our clients, and for each employee to feel respected, valued and able to give their best. EMED Group are committed to providing equal opportunities and we endeavour to provide an inclusive and safe working culture for all.