Solution Architect – Annual Reporting & Consolidation (PLC Transformation)
IBM Cognos Controller | Planning Analytics | Oracle Financ
e
A major global retailer is undertaking a once‑in‑a‑generation PLC transformation, moving from subsidiary reporting to full public company reporting standards. We’re looking for an immediately available Solution Architect with deep expertise in financial consolidation, annual reporting, and period‑end close to define and govern the future Group reporting landscap
e.
The Ro
le:
You will lead the end‑to‑end architecture for the new Group consolidation and annual reporting platform, centred on IBM Cognos Controller and integrated with IBM Planning Analytics. Oracle Finance remains the system of record, and you’ll also shape the selection of a close governance and compliance tool (Workiva, Sphera, BlackLi
ne).
Your remit: deliver a PLC‑grade reporting ecosystem spanning financial, non‑financial, ESG, and narrative reporting—controlled, auditable, and ready for external scru
tiny.
What You’l
- l Own:
End‑to‑end architecture, governance, and design assurance for consolidation and annual rep - orting.Target, transition, and integration architectures across ERP, planning, analytics, and rep
- orting.Key design decisions, solution blueprint, and technology sel
- ection.Architectural governance across vendors, integrators, and internal
- teams.Production readiness: data integrity, controls, security, and service oper
ations.
Key Technology La
- ndscape:
IBM Cognos Controller – Group cons - olidationIBM Planning Analytics (PA) – planning, analytics, performance
- reportingOracle Finance – primary sour
- ce systemClose governance tooling – Workiva / Sphera /
- BlackLineAssessment of reuse vs new investment across the reporti
ng estate
What
- You Bring:
Strong Solution Architecture experience in finance transformation and PLC‑level - reporting.Hands‑on expertise with Cognos Controller and familiarity with Planning
- Analytics.Deep understanding of consolidation, period‑end close, audit, controls, and regulatory
- reporting.Experience with multi‑entity consolidation, eliminations, FX, IFRS/UK GAAP, statutory
- reporting.Strong stakeholder influence, documentation, and design governa
- nce skills.Experience with Oracle Finance, finance data flows, reconciliation, lineage, and integratio
- n to ESG, non‑financial, or narrative reporting (TCFD, CSRD, GRI, SASB) is highly
- beneficial.Comfortable operating in high‑pressure, deadline‑driven en
vironments.
£600-£625 per day Inside IR35. 6 months rolling. Reading &
