At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead UK accounting and financial control, ensuring compliance and high-quality reporting.
- Company: Join Schneider Electric, a leader in sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health insurance, flexible work options, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and supports community initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial strategy and drive operational improvements.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with significant experience in financial control and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 67500 - 82500 £ per year.
Head of Accounting - UK
As Head of Accounting - UK (Senior Manager, Accounting Territories), you will lead the accounting and financial control agenda across our UK operations.
You will take ownership of the integrity, governance and delivery of financial reporting across UK legal entities, ensuring strong controls, regulatory compliance and high-quality financial information.
Beyond core accounting, you will play a key role in transforming and simplifying Finance.
You will lead a high-performing team, strengthen our control environment and drive greater standardisation, automation and efficiency.
You will also act as a trusted partner to senior finance leaders and stakeholders across the organisation.
What You Will Do
- Lead all UK accounting and controllership activities, including month-end, quarter-end and year-end close.
- Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in line with accounting standards, UK statutory requirements and corporate policies.
- Take ownership of balance sheet integrity, reconciliations, statutory reporting and financial disclosures.
- Lead relationships with internal and external auditors, ensuring effective audits and timely resolution of findings.
- Maintain a strong financial control and governance environment across UK legal entities.
- Lead, coach and develop a high-performing accounting team, including collaboration with offshore teams.
- Build team capability through succession planning, upskilling and clear development opportunities.
- Drive finance transformation, simplifying and standardising accounting processes.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and data quality through automation and digital solutions.
- Support legal entity optimisation and wider finance transformation programmes.
- Partner closely with FP&A, Tax, Treasury, Legal, Corporate Accounting and other Finance teams.
- Provide senior stakeholders with clear insight into financial performance, risks and opportunities.
- Champion continuous improvement, accountability and strong financial governance.
What Qualifications Will Make You Successful?
- A qualified accountant, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
- Significant post-qualification experience in accounting, financial control or controllership.
- Experience working within a large, complex or multinational organisation.
- Strong knowledge of IFRS, UK GAAP, UK statutory reporting and corporate governance requirements.
- Proven experience managing external audits and auditor relationships.
- A track record of successfully delivering finance transformation, process improvement or simplification initiatives.
- Experience leading and developing accounting teams through periods of change.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to engage and influence senior leaders.
- A strong governance and risk mindset, combined with the ability to make sound decisions in a complex environment.
- A collaborative leadership style with a clear focus on delivery, accountability and developing talent.
What's in it for me?
- Lead a high-performing team with significant influence on financial strategy and compliance
- Visible leadership role where your contributions directly impact organizational success
- Opportunity to innovate processes and drive operational improvements across UK.
- Supportive, collaborative culture that values expertise and leadership
- Career growth through challenging, complex work and cross-functional collaboration
At Schneider, we believe that every employee is a talent who deserves equal opportunities.
This means you matter.
Every individual needs to feel valued, supported, and treated fairly to do their best work.
Our Total Rewards is our way of saying: "We see you.
We value you".
It's more than just pay and benefits- it's a meaningful investment in you.
It is designed for you to perform, grow, feel safe, and elevate your potential to shine as an impact maker.
For this UK based position, the expected pay range is GBP 110,400 - GBP 165,600 per year.
This pay range includes base pay and short-term incentives.
The compensation range for this full-time position applies to candidates located within the United Kingdom.
Our pay ranges are determined by the local market.
Schneider Electric is there when it matters most to you
Our Total Rewards package outlines all the benefits and support you'll enjoy as part of the Schneider Electric team:
- Care for Yourself and Your Family.
We ensure you feel secure with benefits that help you and your family thrive: health and life insurance, paid time off, parental and care leave, flexible work options, and confidential counseling for life's challenges.
- Invest and Plan Your Future.
We help you plan and invest for the future with competitive pay and programs: your base salary, short-term incentives or sales incentives, opportunities to own company shares, and retirement savings plans for your future.
- Grow Your Skills and Career.
We commit to helping you grow with ongoing performance and development conversations, Senior Talent Program, global career opportunities, access to our Schneider Career Hub for new positions, projects, and mentors, and learning platforms like Coursera to equip you with the skills for today and tomorrow.
- Team Up in the Workplace.
We encourage teaming up through project opportunities on the Schneider Career Hub, smart ways to collaborate, celebrating contributions via a recognition program, sharing your voice in our engagement survey, and fostering an inclusive, caring workplace.
- Support Your Community.
We make a difference in your community with volunteer leave, programs through the Schneider Electric Foundation, and initiatives that support youth education.
Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best.
We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and 'inclusion' is one of our core values.
We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.
Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.
At Schneider Electric, we uphold the highest standards of ethics and compliance, and we believe that trust is a foundational value.
Our Trust Charter is our Code of Conduct and demonstrates our commitment to ethics, safety, sustainability, quality and cybersecurity, underpinning every aspect of our business and our willingness to behave and respond respectfully and in good faith to all our stakeholders.
You can find out more about our Trust Charter here
Looking to make an IMPACT with your career?
When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters.
At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success.
We believe that our IMPACT values - Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork - starts with us.
IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play.
It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.
We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization.
We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.
- ₠40 billion global revenue
- +9% organic growth
- 150 000+ employees in 100+ countries
This position will be posted until filled.
Head of Accounting - UK in London employer: Schneider Electric Corp
Schneider Electric Corp is an attractive employer due to its commitment to sustainability and innovation. The company provides employees with flexible work arrangements and opportunities for professional development within a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Accounting - UK in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Schneider Electric Corp. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Schneider Electric Corp.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Schneider Electric Corp. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Accounting - UK in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Schneider Electric Corp and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Schneider Electric Corp how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Schneider Electric Corp
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Schneider Electric Corp.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Schneider Electric Corp's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
