Group External Reporting Manager - FTSE Listed Engineering company in Cheltenham

High-impact group reporting role with clear progression. Technical IFRS exposure with visibility at board level.

About Our Client: A global, FTSE-listed engineering group operating across multiple sectors with a strong focus on efficiency, sustainability and innovation. The business has a long track record of growth, operates internationally, and invests heavily in its people and finance capability.

Job Description: The Group External Reporting Manager plays a key role within the team responsible for the preparation of the Group's published consolidated financial statements, the Annual Report & Accounts and all associated external financial reporting activities. The external reporting team are the Group's technical accounting centre and own the Group Accounting Policies as well as supporting the businesses with all technical accounting and reporting issues. The workload will be varied and challenging and will include significant exposure to the CFO and the Group's Finance Leadership Team alongside the requirement to build close relationships with the Group's finance teams within the three businesses.

Key responsibilities:

• Making a key contribution to the preparation of the financial elements of the external Annual Report, Half Year Report and News Release.
• Assisting in the preparation of Audit Committee papers, Board papers and Investor slide decks.
• Advise on various technical accounting matters including drafting papers articulating accounting implications and key estimates & judgements for the Group.
• Supporting the assessment of the impact of changes in accounting standards and ensuring correct implementation across the Group.
• This will include the maintenance and updating of Group Accounting Policies as well as conducting training sessions for the finance community within the Group.
• Supporting the external audit process, building and managing strong relationships with the Group's auditors.
• Supporting acquisition related accounting when applicable as a result of acquisitions made by the Group, including involvement in the integration workstreams.
• Responsibility for accounting for the Group's defined benefit schemes and managing the relationship with Group's external pension specialist.
• Responsibility for the calculation of share scheme incentives & bonus achievements at the executive level.
• Supporting the global finance community on various adhoc accounting issues.

The Successful Applicant:

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be ACA / ACCA qualified.
• Have at least 3 years post qualification experience, ideally in industry.
• Have experience in the preparation or audit of Annual Report & Accounts under IFRS.
• Have strong technical accounting knowledge including IFRS, particularly IFRS 15 and IFRS 16.
• Have experience of multinational manufacturing groups operating in multiple currencies.
• Be self-reliant - able to proactively establish direction and impact with minimal guidance.
• Have strong analytical mindset with keen attention to detail.
• Be career driven with strong desire to progress within the organisation.
• Be pro-active and take ownership of the work within the team.
• Be able to work within a close-knit team under pressure to tight deadlines.
• Have strong communication skills with the ability to adapt to different audiences.

The following qualities and experiences are desirable:

• Be able to build strong, international relationships and demonstrate the ability to partner with and advise the business.
• Have a background in / or have had significant exposure to external audit.
• Have the ability to explain complex financial reporting issues to stakeholders in a clear and succinct manner.
• Have the ability to step back from the detail to understand the wider commercial impact of decisions.
• Possess a natural desire to get involved in detail, take pride in your work and demand and achieve high standards of themselves and others.

What's on Offer:

• A competitive package, including a highly competitive salary.
• Profit Related Bonus Scheme.
• Flexible working pattern between home and office / hybrid working.
• Annual Leave - 27 days a year plus statutory holidays (and additional wellbeing day).
• Enhanced Private Medical Insurance with optional family cover.
• Enhanced Group Personal Pension Plan (GPP) - Employer Contribution of up to 10%.
• Life Insurance - 4 times basic salary cover (Aviva).
• Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) - 1 : 1 - Maximum 3% of annual salary.
• Enhanced Paternity and Maternity benefits.
• Three days of paid volunteering leave per annum.
• Free onsite parking.
• Personal Discounts Portal.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - gives employees easy access to confidential support to assist with personal problems and / or work-related problems that impact health, and mental and emotional well-being.