At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial reporting and drive process improvements in a dynamic finance environment.
- Company: Join Selecta, Europe's leading provider of self-service coffee and convenience food solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, life assurance, and unlimited coffee at the office.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to creating moments of joy for everyone.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial processes while developing your career in finance.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong analytical skills and experience in month-end reporting.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
- Description
- About Selecta
Selecta is Europe's leading provider of unattended self-service coffee and convenience food solutions.
Operating across 16 European countries, we serve over 12 million people every day through innovative vending and specialist coffee services.
In the UK, we provide a nationwide service to approximately 3,500 businesses, delivering high-quality beverages and snacks to workplaces, schools, universities, hospitals, and a wide range of other customer locations.
About the Role
As Assistant Financial Controller you will report to the Head of Financial Control and be accountable for the accuracy, integrity and timeliness of the UK entity's financial reporting to Group.
You will own the reporting of Technical and Wholesale revenue and margin – two of the five revenue streams in the business – delivering monthly actuals, variance analysis and commentary.
You will help lead the month-end close, own a defined portfolio of balance sheet reconciliations (both preparing and reviewing) and deliver the monthly, quarterly and annual Cognos submissions to Group.
You will act as the day-to-day point of contact for the external auditors and support the preparation of the year-end statutory accounts, ensuring the UK meets all Group deadlines.
The role carries a clear improvement remit: strengthening the control environment, driving automation, and supporting the transition to a new ERP.
12 month fixed term contract
Requirements
Month-end close and management reporting
Help lead the UK month-end close, ensuring the timetable is met and results are accurate, complete and fully understood
- Own the reporting of Technical and Wholesale revenue and margin, providing monthly actuals and variances to budget and forecast
- Prepare and review journals, with monthly variance analysis and provide insight to wider business
- Own the payroll journal and related reconciliations, liaising with the HR Business Partner and SD Worx
Provide detailed commentary on variances between actual and budgeted results for both the P&L and the balance sheet
Group reporting
Prepare and submit the Cognos submission to Group on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis, within deadline
- Complete intercompany reconciliations and the netting submission to Treasury
- Own IFRS 16 reporting and ensure Group receives the information it requires
- Balance sheet and controls
- Own a portfolio of balance sheet reconciliations – preparing, reviewing and clearing reconciling items and maintaining Floqast (BS reconciliation tool)
- Operate, evidence and monitor key financial controls, escalating and resolving control gaps
- Audit and statutory reporting
- Act as the day-to-day point of contact for the external auditors, ensuring all deliverables are provided on time
- Lead the preparation of the year-end statutory accounts and the audit process
- Planning, cash and change
- Work alongside Treasury and support the Head of Finance Control with free cash flow reporting and forecasting
- Support the transition to the new ERP, including data validation, process mapping and testing
- Drive process improvement and automation across the reporting cycle
- Support the annual budget, liaising with and supporting FP&A where required
- Deputise for the Head of Financial Control where required and assist with ad hoc requests from senior management
This list is not exhaustive. Responsibilities may develop over the term of the contract in line with business needs and will be reviewed with your manager.
Your core skills/attributes
- Knowledge
- Strong technical accounting knowledge as applied to group reporting, including leases (IFRS 16)
- Experience of month-end reporting and group reporting across multiple subsidiaries
- Controls background – understands balance sheet management, movements, and the link to cash and working capital
- Working knowledge of statutory accounts preparation and the external audit process
- Able to identify control and process weaknesses and implement best practice within a changing accounting function
Experience
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA, or equivalent) with approximately 3–5 years' post-qualification experience
- Experience of working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven finance function
- Track record of owning balance sheet reconciliations, including reviewing the work of others
- Attributes
- Driven by accuracy and attention to detail, with excellent analytical and numerical ability
- Able to explain financial results clearly to finance and non-finance stakeholders at all levels
- Well organised, able to prioritise competing demands and consistently meet reporting deadlines
- Confident in challenging existing processes and articulating improvements
- Sound business and commercial understanding
- Self-motivated team player who adapts well to a fast-moving finance environment
- Technical Skills
- Strong Excel skills (lookups, SUMIFS, pivot tables) applied to large and complex data sets
- Ability to apply systems knowledge to solve problems
- Power Point capability for reporting packs
- Knowledge
- Experience of automating processes and controls
- Awareness of a formal internal control framework and how it is evidenced
Experience
- Experience working within a Private Equity-backed business
- Multi-currency reporting and foreign currency translation experience
- Involvement in an ERP implementation or migration
- Experience coaching or reviewing the work of junior finance colleagues
- Attributes
- Ability to step back from the detail and provide commercial insight into results
- Composed under the pressure of deadlines
- Technical Skills
- Experience of Infor M3 and/or Cognos
- Experience of Flo Qast or a comparable balance sheet reconciliation tool
- Power Query, Power BI or similar data tools
Your desirable skills
- Knowledge
- Experience of automating processes and controls
- Awareness of a formal internal control framework and how it is evidenced
Experience
- Experience working within a Private Equity-backed business
- Multi-currency reporting and foreign currency translation experience
- Involvement in an ERP implementation or migration
- Experience coaching or reviewing the work of junior finance colleagues
- Attributes
- Ability to step back from the detail and provide commercial insight into results
- Composed under the pressure of deadlines
- Technical Skills
- Experience of Infor M3 and/or Cognos
- Experience of Flo Qast or a comparable balance sheet reconciliation tool
- Power Query, Power BI or similar data tools
Benefits
What’s in it for you?
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- Life assurance equivalent to 2x your yearly salary
- Five weeks of occupational paid sick leave for added security
- Free parking at our Head Office and other depot locations
- Unlimited coffee and tea at our offices to keep you refreshed
- Clear career progression paths with development opportunities
- Strong leadership support to help you thrive
- Employee recognition scheme to celebrate your contributions
- Mental health and wellbeing support, including access to mental health first aiders
- Health Cash Plan
At Selecta, we are committed to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion, embracing our differences to achieve our common goal.
We are united in our principle of making people feel great and we are grounded by our purpose to create more moments of joy for everyone through our ways of working.
Assistant Financial Controller in Hemel Hempstead employer: Selecta
Selecta is an excellent employer that fosters a high-performance culture, where teamwork and client focus are at the heart of our operations. We offer competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive environment that encourages innovation and transformation within the finance sector. Joining us means being part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering excellence in invoicing and billing processes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Financial Controller in Hemel Hempstead
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Selecta. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Financial Controller in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Selecta.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Selecta's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Selecta
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Selecta.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Selecta will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Selecta employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
