At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage financials for personnel costs and provide insights to senior leaders.
- Company: Join Sony Europe, a leader in innovation and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and wellness programs.
- Other info: Vibrant office culture with great facilities and a focus on diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting qualification and relevant experience required.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Join our European Finance team and take ownership of the financial management of personnel-related Fixed Selling, General and Administrative (FSGA) expenses. Combining accounting controllership with financial planning and analysis, you will turn complex headcount and cost data into clear insights that support senior leaders and business decision-making. This is a high-visibility role offering regular exposure to senior leadership, including opportunities to contribute to discussions with the wider leadership team. You will help shape workforce and financial decisions, and have the opportunity to make a visible impact within a changing environment.
You will:
- Manage monthly close activities for personnel-related costs, including accruals, journals, provisions, reconciliations and balance sheet positions, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
- Lead the annual budgeting and monthly forecasting processes for personnel expenses and headcount across Sony Europe.
- Analyse variances between actuals and forecasts, identify trends, risks and opportunities, and prepare clear reports and presentations for senior management.
- Act as a trusted finance business partner to business leaders and HR, providing insight and guidance on headcount, payroll, benefits, mobility costs and workforce planning.
- Maintain strong governance over financial and master data, supporting IFRS, SOX, audit, statutory reporting and internal control requirements.
- Build effective cross-functional relationships with Finance, HR, Accounting Operations, reporting units and external service providers.
- Drive standardisation, automation and process improvements to strengthen efficiency, accuracy and reporting quality.
- Take ownership of your area, work proactively through change and ambiguity, and use your expertise to move priorities forward.
You will bring:
- A professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or an international equivalent.
- Around four to five years of relevant experience, including strong payroll, personnel expense accounting, headcount management and reporting experience in a large, multinational organisation.
- A good understanding of IFRS, financial controls and the confidentiality required when handling personnel and headcount information.
- Good SAP and financial systems knowledge, with advanced Excel and data analysis skills.
- Experience with Power BI and Power Query is highly valued.
- Experience using Workday or another HR information system would be beneficial.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information and deliver accurate work to deadlines.
- A proactive, hands-on approach and the confidence to take initiative, find information and deliver results with limited guidance.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with a collaborative and personable approach to working across Finance, HR and the wider business.
Your new office: Weybridge
Based at the Weybridge office, you will enjoy a vibrant and friendly working environment. We have an onsite canteen with a wide range of options available, and a barista style coffee shop. There is a well-provisioned onsite gym run by our own Sony Wellbeing Coordinator, with classes on set days in the mornings, at lunch and after work hours. We have a staff car park which includes electric charging points, an undercover and secure bike rack, or if you will use public transport we have a shuttle bus service that regularly runs between train station and the office at peak times.
Life at Sony
We ensure competitive salaries and benefits by using established benchmarking. We encourage healthy work-life balance supported by hybrid and flexible working policies. We are a positive community who dream big together, respect each other, and enjoy a collaborative culture. We like to celebrate our colleagues who make a real difference using our recognition platform. We also provide access to numerous services and platforms for all aspects of wellbeing. We listen to our people through conversations and surveys, respect their suggestions, then act on them. We also provide allowances for volunteering days so that our staff can support the causes they are most passionate about.
You can build your career around you with our fantastic range of learning & personal development programs to enhance your skills. We also encourage our staff to try exciting new roles, in a wide range of countries, with a supportive mobility team to support you if you take that leap!
Bring your uniqueness to Sony
We are passionate about creating a culture that promotes equity and cultivates inclusion, diversity, and belonging. We want employees with diverse backgrounds and perspectives that will stimulate innovation and have a direct impact on our creation of social value to fulfil Sony’s purpose – ‘to fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology’. We want you to bring your unique self to work and help shape our culture.
We are Sony Europe
Our people collaborate in an environment of respect, integrity, and open-mindedness. Diverse teams from all over Europe are the driving force for our business, and we embrace the differences that make each of us original and unique. With offices in 28 European countries, Sony Europe caters to consumer, professional, semiconductor and healthcare markets with innovative electronics products and solutions. Our European laboratories research and develop new technologies and capabilities that contribute to the Sony Group and important issues on a planetary scale.
Bring your passion, creativity and ambitions to Sony Europe. Apply now, and let’s create the future together.
Equal Opportunity
Sony Europe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, citizenship, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, medical condition, or any other protected characteristics.
Disability Accommodation for Applicants to Sony Europe
Sony Europe will provide reasonable accommodation for any qualified individuals with disabilities in the application process. For reasonable accommodation requests, please contact us by email at AccommodationRequest@eu.sony.com or by mail to: Sony Europe Limited, Human Resources Department, the Heights, Brooklands, Surrey, KT13 0XW, UK. When contacting us please indicate the position you are applying for, and the accommodation required.
Recruitment Fraud Notice
Please be aware that unauthorised individuals or organisations may attempt to solicit personal information or payments from job applicants by impersonating our company through fraudulent job postings. While we take these matters seriously, we cannot control third-party websites. To protect your personal information, please verify that any job posting you respond to also appears on our official Sony Europe Career Portal. Please also be advised that we never request payment or personal financial information.
FSGA Accounting and FP&A Expert (Personnel) in Weybridge employer: Sony
At Sony Interactive Entertainment, we pride ourselves on being not just the Best Place to Play, but also the Best Place to Work. Located in the vibrant city of London, our hybrid work culture fosters innovation and collaboration, offering employees the chance to engage with cutting-edge technology while supporting a global security program. With a commitment to employee growth, diversity, and a dynamic work environment, we provide unique opportunities for professional development and meaningful contributions to the PlayStation brand.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FSGA Accounting and FP&A Expert (Personnel) in Weybridge
✨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 Sony. 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 Sony.
✨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 Sony. 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 FSGA Accounting and FP&A Expert (Personnel) in Weybridge
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 Sony 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 Sony how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sony
✨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 Sony.
✨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 Sony'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!
