Head Of Group Reporting & Analysis in Manchester

If you are ambitious, self-motivated, hardworking and a team player and interested in growing your career with an International FMCG business, please read through our job opportunity.

Job Purpose

Accountable for the accurate and timely delivery of all Group reporting activities including: management and statutory consolidation; Board and ExCo management packs; and the financial statements and notes for all external financial reporting, including RNS announcements, Interim and Annual Report & Accounts. Lead the budget and forecast processes for the Group, ensuring that these are efficient and effective. Accountable for Group central overhead and insurance control and reporting processes. Provide support as required by the Group CFO and Group FC for ad-hoc financial analyses. Provide integration and project management support for M&A and key Group finance projects. Provide functional support for the Divisional Financial Controllers.

Your responsibilities will be:

• Manage the Group external reporting cycle including planning, Group auditor liaison, Annual / Interim Report and Board / Audit Committee papers.
• Directing the Group internal and external reporting timetable.
• Drafting IMS and Trading updates prior to Board approval.
• Liaising with the Executive where necessary.
• Produce high quality Group Financial Analysis to the ExCo / Trading team / Senior Management / Board to ensure timely decision making.
• Coordinate and align the Budgeting and Forecast process and analysis, ensuring clear direction from a Group perspective so that all divisional and central finance teams are aware of reporting requirements and timetable for all Group budget and forecast submissions.
• Accountable for the Group legal entity consolidation (28 entities) and functional consolidation following the completion of the Draft Consolidation by Group Financial Accounting Manager (after ledger closure).
• Continue to drive development of the Group Reporting and Consolidation process, outputs and systems.
• Responsible for the accounting conclusions within the Group Financial Statements (including but not limited to Finalisation of the Group Impairment review, Group Exceptional items, Share Based Payments, Financial Instruments and Defined Benefit Pension Schemes).
• Accountable for the Final Monthly Group Income Statement, Group Balance Sheet, Group Cash Flow, Group KPI reporting, latest view and identification of potential issues to aid Trading Meeting / ExCo discussions / decisions.
• Lead the Group Central Overhead and Group Insurance accounting, control and reporting processes to ensure accurate and timely submission for the group consolidation each month.
• Responsible for the co-ordination of the Group budget and forecast processes throughout the year (c. £1bn Net Sales; £65m EBITA), ensuring an accurate and robust process to enable the ExCo and Senior Management to drive profitable growth of the business.
• Provide functional Finance support for the Divisional Financial Controllers to ensure alignment to group accounting policies and reporting, finance project support and to provide sound guidance and advice.
• Manage and control changes to Group Accounting Policies, including assessment of changes to accounting standards, preparation of critical reporting issues papers to Board / Audit Committee, provision of ad-hoc technical accounting support to senior finance officials and their teams across the Group.
• Liaise with Heads of Group Financial Accounting, Tax and Treasury to ensure timely information provision is provided to enable above activities.
• Assisting the Group Financial Director in the continuous improvement in financial controls and reporting processes (for both internal and external financial reporting).
• Provide integration and project management support for acquisitions / disposals and key Group Finance projects (where appropriate).
• Continued development of Finance staff (inc. Line manager responsibilities).
• Support the Group CFO / Group Finance Director as required for Investor relations activities e.g. Analyst Briefings / Queries / Forecast notes, Maintenance of the Groups’ external forecast model, City Announcement Presentations and Capital Market Days.
• Work in conjunction with the Group CFO / Group Finance Director on financial aspects of the Group’s UK defined benefit plan.

Skills and education we are looking for:

Qualification

• Must be ACA Qualified Accountant (big 4 ACA desirable), with minimum 10 years PQE.
• Must hold a degree.

Experience

• Strong audit background.
• Extensive experience of financial accounting and reporting within an international listed business.
• Must have prior experience of ownership of the Strategic Report & Accounts.
• Prior experience of short and long range Group FP&A reporting, and demonstrable ability to work with the business to deliver against defined P&L targets.
• Strong understanding of International Accounting Standards and UK GAAP.
• Prior experience of multi-currency Group consolidations.
• Must have experience of Hyperion reporting software.
• Must have demonstrable prior project delivery experience and staff management experience, including experience of managing staff remotely.

What will make you successful:

• Communication – Communicates clearly at all levels; listens and involves others in direction and goal setting.
• Team Building – Builds effective relationships with people at all levels, while motivating and energising others.
• Leadership – Provides vision and direction, inspires others to follow. Takes responsibility for involving, enabling and motivating people.
• Commitment to self-development – Is not limited by previous experience and engages actively in improvement activities.
• Leading Change – Plans for and successfully introduces change leading to improvements.
• Drive and self-motivation – Achieves success with others, consistently operates as an example for others.
• Meeting customer needs – Understands the importance of identifying and meeting the needs of external and internal customers.
• Building customer focus – Works consistently to achieve customer focus and improve service standards within the team.
• Performance focus – Uses resources effectively, with a clear focus on critical tasks and the achievement of objectives.
• Decision-making – Analyses situations, makes sound judgements and takes appropriate decisions.

What can you expect:

• To join a talented team where your contribution is recognised.
• To work in a challenging, fast paced, international company.

In return you will receive a competitive package available.