Group Financial Accountant

The Group Financial Accountant reports to the Financial Reporting Manager and plays a key role in supporting high-quality Group financial reporting and technical accounting across the organisation. The position contributes to the preparation of the Group's statutory financial statements in accordance with applicable accounting standards and ensures the consistent application of Group accounting policies across reporting entities. The role supports acquisition accounting activities, including the preparation and review of related consolidation adjustments, and provides technical guidance to regional finance teams to promote accurate and compliant reporting. In addition, the Group Financial Accountant contributes to the ongoing enhancement of the Group's financial control and compliance framework. This includes supporting the external audit process, driving improvements in balance sheet integrity, and working collaboratively with regional finance teams to address control matters and strengthen reporting processes. This position offers broad exposure to technical accounting, statutory reporting and financial governance within a complex international reporting environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support acquisition accounting for newly acquired schools, including preparation of related Group consolidation adjustments.
• Gather and prepare periodic information and analysis to meet ISP's Group statutory reporting requirements.
• Prepare the first draft of the Group statutory financial statements.
• Collate and analyse monthly Group debtor reporting, providing insight into trends, risks and collection performance across regions.
• Lead monthly accounting calls with regional finance teams to review balance sheet movements, investigate significant variances and ensure appropriate follow‑up actions are taken.
• Take ownership of the Group's fair value process, coordinating inputs across regions and ensuring timely, accurate and well‑documented assessments in line with accounting requirements.

Financial Control & Compliance

• Assist in the coordination of the Group's external audit procedures, ensuring information is provided in a timely and efficient manner to meet all Group requirements and deadlines.
• Review and enhance internal control and compliance reporting environment, in accordance with the Group's internal controls and compliance framework.
• Follow up on any internal control deficiencies identified across the Group and ensure remedial actions are implemented.
• Drive a greater focus on balance sheet integrity across the Group, coordinating periodic reviews with regional teams and focusing on potential risk areas.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience - Essential

• Qualified Accountant – ACA, ACCA, or local equivalent essential.
• External audit experience (Big 4/Top 10 trained) with robust understanding of internal controls, financial reporting/close process essential.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to build good working relationships with all members and levels of the organization.
• A methodical, highly organized approach to the execution of assigned tasks and responsibilities.
• Growth mindset, with the ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.
• Attention to detail, strong writing, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Prior experience in using NetSuite applications or any other ERP systems would be advantageous.
• Positive, proactive, passionate, personable, results orientated, ambitious professional, who is keen to progress within a global organisation.
• Cross‑functional teamwork experience.
• Fluent written and spoken English a requirement.
• Additional language skills an advantage.
• Ability to handle confidential information with maturity and discretion.
• Capacity to take initiative and solve problems with minimal supervision.

ISP Principles

• Begin with our children and students: Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success.
• Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
• Treat everyone with care and respect: We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well‑being of self and others.
• Operate effectively: We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
• Are financially responsible: We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
• Learn continuously: Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years' employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high‑performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio‑economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.