VP, Group Accounting & Finance Operations in England

IRIS Software Group is a leading global provider of mission critical software and services, and one of the UK’s largest privately held software companies. IRIS provides software solutions and services for finance, HR and payroll teams, educational organisations, and accountancy firms that improves efficiency and productivity, taking the pain out of processes and letting professionals focus on the work they love. Our operational software is the invisible, but essential, beating heart of our customers’ businesses, supporting them in a range of objectives, from maintaining legislative compliance, to boosting engagement with stakeholders, to enhancing productivity. It’s vital these mission critical functions work first time, every time.

The Role & Purpose

We are seeking a Vice President, Group Accounting to lead the day-to-day financial operations and accounting excellence across IRIS. While your peer (VP Finance Transformation & AI) focuses on “change the business,” you will focus on “run the business” – ensuring flawless execution of financial operations, robust controls, and accurate reporting that meets the rigorous demands of PE ownership. This is a strategic operational leadership role that combines deep technical accounting expertise with the ability to drive efficiency, lead through transformation, and build scalable, future‑ready finance operations. You will be the guardian of financial integrity and a trusted partner to the CFO, the board, and the PE sponsor on all controllership matters. Critically, you will also be the operational counterpart to the live GBS (Global Business Systems) transformation programme – owning the “receive and run” side as transformed billing, O2C, and finance processes go live.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Financial Operations & Accounting (35%)
  • Own end-to-end operational finance across all IRIS entities: general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, intercompany accounting, cash collection, and treasury operations.
  • Manage financial consolidation across IRIS’s portfolio companies, subsidiaries, and geographies, ensuring accuracy and compliance with group accounting policies (IFRS / UK GAAP).
  • Own and govern the enterprise chart of accounts structure – ensuring it enables SaaS‑grade reporting: profitability by product, segment, and geography; clean separation of recurring vs. non‑recurring revenue; and meaningful management, board, and investor reporting.
  • Drive monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes across all entities, meeting tight PE reporting deadlines with a target of continuous cycle‑time reduction.
  • Act as the guardian of data integrity behind IRIS’s core SaaS metrics – ensuring these are accurate, auditable, system‑generated where possible, and defensible under investor or buyer scrutiny.
  • Oversee treasury, tax, and cash management: cash flow forecasting, working capital optimisation, banking relationships, and FX exposure management.
  • Establish a 13‑week rolling cash flow forecast and “Cash War Room” cadence aligned with PE sponsor expectations.
• Drive Accounting Excellence & Compliance (25%)
  • Serve as the group’s technical accounting authority on revenue recognition, lease accounting, business combinations, and complex matters.
  • Own the operational integrity of the O2C chain: ensure billing, revenue recognition, reconciliations, and exception management are robust.
  • Ensure deferred revenue / contract liability balances are accurately maintained, reconciled, and clearly reported.
  • Maintain Quality of Earnings (QoE) readiness at all times.
  • Manage relationships with external auditors; coordinate year‑end and interim audits across all entities, ensuring clean opinions.
  • Design, implement, and monitor internal controls over financial reporting to a SOX‑equivalent standard.
  • Oversee the tax team and external advisors on compliance, provision calculations, transfer pricing, and tax‑efficient structuring.
  • Ensure compliance with statutory filing requirements across all jurisdictions.
  • Maintain a regulatory horizon‑scanning process to anticipate and prepare for upcoming accounting and reporting standards.
• Build & Lead a High‑Performing Team (20%)
  • Lead and develop the operational finance team across multiple locations and remote working arrangements.
  • Build capability through structured coaching, training, career development, and succession planning.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and ownership of outcomes.
  • Establish a nearshore/shared services centre of excellence model for transactional finance activities where appropriate.
  • Champion diversity and inclusion within the finance function.
• Partner on GBS Transformation & Systems (15%)
  • Act as the operational counterpart to the VP Finance Transformation & AI.
  • Own operational readiness for GBS outputs.
  • Define operational requirements for GBS Stream 3 finance systems decisions.
  • Co‑own resolution of the W2 ARR / Snowball accounting methodology.
  • Lead the accounting and controls workstream for ERP and planning tool implementations.
  • Drive adoption of AI and automation across operational finance processes.
• Stakeholder & Sponsor Management (5%)
  • Build and maintain a strong working relationship with key stakeholders.
  • Present to the Audit Committee on controls, compliance, and accounting matters.
  • Partner with Corporate Development on financial due diligence, integration accounting, and purchase price allocation for acquisitions.

Who You Are

Essential Experience & Capabilities

• Qualified accountant ACA.
• 15+ years progressive finance experience with 7+ years in senior operational finance / controllership leadership.
• Deep technical accounting knowledge.
• Strong understanding of SaaS financial mechanics.
• Experience managing multi‑entity, multi‑currency, multi‑country financial operations at scale.
• Proven track record delivering accurate and timely financial close in complex, high‑growth environments.
• Strong understanding of internal controls frameworks and external audit processes.
• Experience supporting or leading Quality of Earnings (QoE) processes.
• Proficient with ERP systems – NetSuite experience strongly preferred.
• Experience implementing or upgrading financial systems in a multi‑entity environment.