At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a high-performing finance team and oversee global financial operations.
- Company: Join Merlin Entertainments, a leader in the entertainment industry with exciting attractions worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, life assurance, 25 days holiday, and exclusive discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment that celebrates innovation and teamwork.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA accountant with 5+ years of leadership experience.
- Other info: This full-time role is based in Basingstoke, offering great prospects for growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a strategic finance leader with a passion for driving process excellence, empowering teams, and delivering high-quality financial reporting? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment where continuous improvement and innovation are celebrated?
We’re looking for a Finance Manager – Global Record to Report to join our Corporate Finance division and lead a high-performing team within our Financial Hub (Fhub). Based in Basingstoke, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real impact on global financial operations, champion best practices and influence the evolution of our record-to-report (R2R) processes.
This role will involve leading and developing a high-performing finance team, ensuring compliance with policies and service standards while championing engagement and best practices. You’ll oversee the period-end close process across international entities, maintain strong financial controls and support audits and the preparation of statutory accounts.
Additionally, the successful applicant will drive continuous improvement initiatives and collaborate closely with internal stakeholders as a trusted expert in technical accounting and process optimisation.
Qualifications & Experience- Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA accountant, with 5+ years’ post-qualification experience.
- A proven leader with at least 5 years’ experience managing teams in a shared services or global finance function.
- Strong technical knowledge of R2R and Shared Service Centre (SSC) processes.
- A track record of successfully delivering month-end close and streamlining finance operations.
- Demonstrated experience in financial analysis, stakeholder management, and process transformation.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence and inspire at all levels.
- A strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, able to manage competing priorities and deliver results.
We’re growing fast and alongside a fun and friendly environment, we offer a fabulous package and amazing prospects – ideal if you’re already fantastic and want to become even better (our magic can help here). Benefits include Pension, Life Assurance, discretionary company bonus, 25 days’ holiday and, of course, a Merlin Magic Pass which gives you and your friends and family free admission to all of our attractions worldwide, as well as 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants and 40% discount on LEGO.
If you have any questions or if you require any assistance, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at Recruitment@Merlinentertainments.biz and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Pay RangeCompetitive
Seniority levelMid-Senior level
Employment typeFull-time
Job functionFinance and Sales
IndustriesEntertainment Providers
Finance Manager R2R employer: Merlin Entertainments
Contact Detail:
Merlin Entertainments Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager R2R
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the finance industry, especially those who have experience in record-to-report processes. Attend finance-related events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn more about the company culture at Merlin Entertainments.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and best practices in financial reporting and process optimisation. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement, which is highly valued in this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams and driven process improvements in previous roles. Highlight your achievements in managing month-end close processes and any successful initiatives you've implemented to streamline operations.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Merlin Entertainments' values and mission. Tailor your conversations to reflect how your personal values align with theirs, particularly in terms of teamwork, innovation, and delivering high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager R2R
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications and experience relevant to the Finance Manager R2R role. Emphasise your leadership skills, technical knowledge of R2R processes, and any achievements in financial analysis or process transformation.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for finance and your strategic thinking abilities. Mention specific examples of how you've driven process excellence and empowered teams in previous roles, aligning your experiences with the job description.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications such as ACA, ACCA, or CIMA, along with your post-qualification experience. This is crucial for demonstrating that you meet the essential criteria for the position.
Showcase Communication Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated and influenced stakeholders at various levels. This will demonstrate your ability to inspire and lead a team, which is key for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Merlin Entertainments
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and develop teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your approach to empowering team members and driving performance.
✨Highlight Your Technical Knowledge
Make sure to discuss your strong technical knowledge of Record to Report (R2R) processes. Be ready to explain how you've applied this knowledge in previous roles, particularly in streamlining finance operations and ensuring compliance.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Think about challenges you've faced in financial reporting or process optimisation and how you overcame them, as this will showcase your hands-on approach.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Excellent communication is key for this role. Prepare to discuss how you've influenced stakeholders at various levels and how you ensure clear communication within your team and across departments. This will show your ability to inspire and engage others.