Finance Senior Specialist (Fixed-Term Contract) in City of Westminster

Who are we? At Finastra, we are a dynamic global provider of open finance software solutions, dedicated to expanding access to financial services. Our innovative applications span Lending, Payments, Treasury and Capital Markets, and Universal Banking. Proudly serving over 8,000 customers, including 45 of the world's top 50 banks, we aim to boost financial inclusion for all. Join us and be part of a vibrant company that embraces diverse perspectives, and is committed to doing well by doing good.

This is a Fixed-Term Contract for 12 months.

What will you contribute? The Group Reporting Lead reports to the Senior Director, Accounting and Reporting. You will join a high-performing team that encompasses External Reporting, Subsidiary Reporting, Accounting, Finance Shared Services, and Finance Transformation. You will be a highly driven individual committed to continuous improvement for yourself, the role, and the team, and you will maintain the high reputation of the Reporting team across the organization. This role is based in our Paddington, London office, as part of a team of four split between the UK and Bangalore.

Key Responsibilities & Deliverables:

• Assist with the preparation of timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual statutory reporting.
• Complete key working papers as part of the month-end close process and take ownership for particularly complex areas, including the production of the cash flow statement (statutory and management views), exceptional costs and provisions.
• Support the Senior Director, Accounting and Reporting, in the preparation of the Annual Report, Financial Statements and footnotes, and the quarterly abbreviated Financial Statements.
• Support coordinating the annual external audit process with both auditors and Finastra employees, ensuring that all deliverables are clearly defined and delivered to the timetable.
• Work with finance business partners and general counsel to ensure group bonus accruals, restructuring and legal provisions are complete and accurate.
• Prepare the Lender and Covenant reporting provided to Investor Relations each quarter, providing insight into key items such as cashflow and working capital where required by the Investor Relations team.
• Complete the annual goodwill impairment testing and technical memo, acting as the lead for this area of the external audit, including liaising with the external audit technical team and external valuation experts where required.
• Oversee the quarterly “future revenue” reporting by partnering with teams globally to aggregate the data and provide meaningful insight to Investor Relations.
• Be an expert user of all group accounting software used for consolidation and reporting.
• Prepare technical memos and working papers related to divestures/carve out of business.
• Lead preparation of carve out financial statements and related workings.
• Prepare closing statement of target working capital for divestitures.
• Support with quality of earnings/vendor due diligence.
• Support coordinating the external audit of carve out of businesses.
• In partnership with Accounting, assess, document and resolve the accounting impacts of significant and complex transactions in advance of publishing disclosures in external reporting.
• Monitor reporting policy developments from the IASB and FASB, assessing any impact on the group and recommending accounting policies and disclosure improvements through the quarterly Accounting Committee.
• Assist the CAO and the Head of external reporting with ad hoc special projects as required.
• Approve journal entries for exceptional items, capitalization, and group adjustment entries.
• Work with finance business partners to ensure that exceptional items are correctly captured and restructuring projects are appropriately signed off.

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Is naturally optimistic, inquisitive, and operates with urgency and confidence.
• Takes pride in delivering a high quantity of high-quality output that drives performance.
• Enjoys working in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment and works well under pressure and to inflexible deadlines.
• Is confident leading change by influencing others to a particular course of action.
• Has superb project management skills and can ensure that internal teams and third parties meet tight deadlines.
• Possesses excellent communication skills (written and verbal).
• Has advanced Excel skills (macros, pivot tables, VLookup etc).

Required Experience:

• Qualified Accountant with in-depth working knowledge of IFRS.
• Experience in public company accounting and controls.
• Experience in software, financial services, or private equity is a strong advantage.

We are proud to offer a range of incentives to our employees worldwide. These benefits are available to everyone, regardless of grade, and reflect the values we uphold:

• Flexibility: Enjoy unlimited vacation, based on your location and business priorities. Hybrid working arrangements, and inclusive policies such as paid time off for voting, bereavement, and sick leave.
• Well-being: Access confidential one-on-one therapy through our Employee Assistance Program, find support from our network of Wellbeing Champions and Gather Groups, and a calendar of monthly events and initiatives designed to help you thrive - Inside and Outside of work.
• Medical, life & disability insurance, retirement plan, lifestyle and other benefits.
• ESG: Benefit from paid time off for volunteering and donation matching.
• DEI: Participate in multiple DE&I groups for open involvement (e.g., Count Me In, Culture@Finastra, Proud@Finastra, Disabilities@Finastra, Women@Finastra).
• Career Development: Access online learning and accredited courses through our Skills & Career Navigator tool.
• Recognition: Be part of our global recognition program, Finastra Celebrates, and contribute to regular employee surveys to help shape Finastra and foster a culture where everyone is engaged and empowered to perform at their best.

At Finastra, each individual is unique, bringing their own ideas, thoughts, cultural beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences together. We learn from one another, embrace and celebrate our differences, and create an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves. Be unique, be exceptional, and help us make a difference at Finastra!