Regulatory Finance Manager in Reading

At Thames Water, we make a daily difference to the lives of 16 million customers by supplying 2.6 billion litres of water through 32,000km of pipes – keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing. We deliver life’s essential service so our customers, communities and the environment can thrive.

We’re looking for a Regulatory Finance Manager to join our Group Financial Control team. This is a key subject‑matter expert role, leading Thames Water’s regulatory financial reporting and providing trusted technical advice across the business.

What you’ll be doing as a Regulatory Finance Manager

• Leading the financial delivery of the Annual Performance Report (APR), ensuring compliance with Regulatory Accounting Guidelines (RAGs) and regulatory deadlines.
• Project managing cross‑functional inputs, resolving issues proactively and ensuring clarity of roles, expectations and timelines.
• Developing and embedding best‑practice regulatory reporting processes, identifying pain points and delivering process improvements.
• Providing expert technical advice on regulatory accounting matters, staying up to date with Ofwat publications, Final Determinations and regulatory change.
• Managing responses to Ofwat consultations and queries, producing clear, evidence‑based submissions.
• Designing and delivering regulatory finance training to colleagues across the business.
• Leading the relationship with external auditors for regulatory reporting.
• Managing and monitoring Regulatory Financial Control Operating Requirements, ensuring controls are documented, tested and adhered to.
• Managing and developing one direct report, fostering a high‑performing and engaged team.
• Supporting a varied portfolio of projects, flexing priorities as required to meet wider business needs.

Base location: Hybrid - Clearwater Court, Reading

Working pattern: 36 Hours, Monday to Friday

What you should bring to the role

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA or CIMA).
• Experience preparing, reviewing or auditing financial statements.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills across all levels of the organisation.
• Proven project management experience with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to high‑quality output.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing others.
• Strong core accounting knowledge.
• A desire and ability to learn and interpret regulatory rules and principles under Ofwat’s RAGs.

Desirable

• Experience in a managerial role within industry, Big 4 or large professional services.
• Experience working with SAP, HFM and SAP Analytics Cloud.
• Exposure to regulatory or highly governed reporting environments.

What’s in it for you

• Competitive salary between £70,000 to £75,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Car Allowance.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Who are we

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.

It’s a big job, and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.