Statutory Consolidation Accountant

Company description Publicis Groupe is one of the largest advertising agency holding companies in the world and a global leader in the fields of marketing, communications, and digital transformation. A Connecting Company for the Connected Age, Publicis Groupe delivers winning solutions for clients through the Power of One – driven by a common purpose, a powerful spirit, shared behaviours, great character and a relentless focus on our clients. Publicis Re:Sources is the backbone of Publicis Groupe. Re:Sources has grown to 5,000+ professionals servicing a network of prestigious agencies across the globe supporting 63+ markets. Re:Sources is Publicis Groupe’s Shared Services Platform. We provide Publicis Groupe agencies with the business solutions, technology platforms and expertise they need to transform, innovate and increase productivity.

Overview An opportunity has arisen for a Statutory Consolidation Accountant to join the team. The role will report to Chief Accounting Officer. This role will be based in our London office. Please only apply if you have the right to work in the UK.

Responsibilities Statutory Accounting, Internal and External Audit responsibilities:

• Prepare and file the annual consolidated UK Group (50 plus entities) financial statements (including all associated note disclosures) under UK adopted IFRS.
• Prepare key non-financial disclosures and associated schedules included in the annual consolidated financial statements including the Strategic report and the Director’s report.
• Perform goodwill impairment and other technical matters relating to the annual consolidation.
• Estimate impairment impacts and agree these with external auditors.
• Prepare technical memos relating to goodwill impairment, IC debt classification, DB pensions, revenue recognition and other technical matters relating to the annual consolidation.
• Ensure all relevant stat adjustments are posted and reconciled in the consolidation reporting package (HFM).
• Act as the contact between external auditors, agencies and SSC in relation to all consolidation related queries.
• Ensure that all consolidation related audit queries from the external auditors are addressed in a timely manner.
• Assist with the preparation of filing of the individual statutory accounts under FRS101 for all agencies in the UK and Ireland (50+ set of financials).
• Assist with the preparation of the statutory TB reconciliation including opening reserves and reconcile equity.
• Analyse and ensure the numbers on statutory accounts are accurate.
• Assist with the preparation and coordination of the annual dividend proposal exercises and distribute dividends to the group (including confirmation that dividends have been paid).
• Assist with completing the STAT HFM group reporting process.
• Assist with providing technical advisory to legal entities, and support and guide the agency teams.
• Assist with advising other accounting teams in the preparation of statutory accounts which are not part of SSC (Off-platform entities).
• Assist with ensuring that the UK group audit is completed in a timely manner and that the Groupe and statutory filing deadlines are met.
• Assist with ensuring that all financials are signed by the relevant directors in a timely manner. This process will be managed by the statutory reporting manager and company secretary.
• Assist with preparing final statements for entities being struck off.
• Ability to communicate across all levels with clear follow-up plans to avoid conflict and confusion.
• Manage audit relationships (internal, external) and maintain workflow without any interruptions.
• Working on ad-hoc projects, e.g. Entity reduction project, Companies House E-filing implementation.

Qualifications Experience and Skills

• Experience in preparing consolidations, consolidated financial statements and associated note disclosures for large complex groups.
• Solid technical knowledge in IFRS (incl IFRS15 & IFRS16), FRS101 and FRS102 (impairment, goodwill, pension, leases, revenue recognition, debt classification, acquisition accounting, valuation etc.).
• Good knowledge and experience of using SAP and HFM.
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) and preferably from an audit background.
• Experience in preparing statutory accounting for large complex entities (50+).
• Ability to work in a fast paced, high-pressure environment.
• Ability to perform tasks and meet all group deadlines.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to coordinate and communicate with external and internal stakeholders and senior management (CFO’s, FD’s, CEO’s, MD’s).

Additional information We offer a hybrid working pattern of 3 days in the office and 2 days WFH. Our main office is located in the iconic Television Centre (TVC) at White City, London. We are a Disability Confident Employer and are committed to providing a fair assessment process and are happy to discuss and explore reasonable adjustments during the hiring process. Publicis Groupe UK fosters an inclusive environment through our inspirational Employee Action Groups (EAGs). We have a comprehensive benefits offering. Our full health and lifestyle benefits package will be shared with you, when you join us. In addition to key benefits like Pension, Life Assurance, Income Protection and Private Medical, some of our other benefits are:

• Annual Leave (25 days plus 8 bank holidays), increasing after 5 years, by 1 day per additional service up to 30 days.
• Birthday Day Off that can be used in your birthday month and the opportunity to Buy or Sell Holiday at the start on each year.
• Flexible Bank Holidays, you can switch the 2 Easter bank holidays for other days of your choosing.
• Reflection Days for time away from work to focus on what works best for you.
• Work your World, after completion of one year, you have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis Groupe office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• Help@Hand, our lifestyle and wellbeing app that supports you and your family; 24/7 Helpline, Remote GPs, Medical or 2nd Opinion, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Physiotherapy, 1-2-1 Lifestyle Coaching, Nutritional Consultations, Savings & Discounts and lots more.
• Inclusive Policies to support you and your family including enhanced Family Leave, Disability, Carers, Transitioning at Work, Flexible Working, Menopause.
• Local discounts, restaurants & retailers in Westfield White City.
• Onsite Café with complimentary breakfast, a subsidised lunch menu, and an in-house barista.