Head of Financial Reporting in England

We are looking for a Head of Financial Reporting to join our team! You will support the Financial Controller with technical accounting and controls development, and take responsibility for the company’s Financial Accounting function and property. You will also manage the fulfilment of monthly, quarterly, six‑monthly and full‑year reporting obligations.

Key Accountabilities

• Customer / Strategy / Plan: The role is a key support for the Financial Controller for technical accounting and controls development. The role will have accountability for IFRS 16, ensuring appropriate controls and monthly reporting, as well as budgeting / forecasting of lease and property costs. Key contact for external auditors. Look to drive improvements in the effectiveness and timeliness of controls within the financial accounting team. Ensure robust financial processes exist to support the integrity of reporting and ultimately safeguard the company against loss and that regulatory processes are complied with. Support the business with an ongoing ERP upgrade.
• People / Leadership: The role will have line accountability for three full‑time colleagues. Communication with other departments that either feed information to the accounts or utilise information generated (for example, the Property department for IFRS 16, IT department for the ERP upgrade). Wherever possible, strive to develop colleagues and offer opportunities for career progression.
• Financial / Commercials: Lead the property accounting function to ensure accurate accounting for lease costs, including impairment reviews. Work with external auditors to ensure robust group and subsidiary statutory accounts are produced within the required timescales. Monthly review of balance sheet control accounts and month‑end audit file. Ensure that the Financial Controller is well appraised of the company’s financial position.
• Risk / Process: Ensure appropriate processes exist within the finance team to identify key areas of risk, with agreed plans to manage those risks. As required, contribute to the development of internal controls, both within finance and within the broader business functions. Work with auditors and external parties to ensure that core accounting controls are appropriate and consistently implemented.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required

Essential:

• Qualified accountant.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including detailed knowledge relating to IFRS and specific exposure and knowledge of IFRS 16.
• Good understanding of accounting systems – general ledger, purchase ledger, etc.
• Good understanding of core finance processes – balance sheet reconciliations, working capital management and understanding of PLC reporting requirements.
• Good communication skills – both on 1:1 basis and in a group environment.
• Demonstrable experience of advising senior management or audit clients on financial reporting issues.
• Experience of reporting for year‑end accounts, either when preparing statutory accounts and notes (full Annual Report and subsidiary accounts) or auditing these for clients.
• Good working knowledge of broader regulatory environment.
• Must be results orientated, decisive, proactive and focused with attention to detail.

Desirable:

• Experience of using MRI Prolease property management system.
• Advanced Excel skills including the use of formulas, XLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, SUMIF/SUMProduct, VBA Macros.
• Experience of MS Office suite including CoPilot.
• Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Dynamics or Business Central.
• Experience of liaising with external providers – banks, auditors, etc.
• Experience of line management.

What we’ll do for you: In a culture where hard work is recognised and great results are rewarded; you can look forward to a company bonus that will give you a share of our success (up to xx% of your base salary). Then there’s a generous staff discount, pension and life assurance, a holiday allowance that increases with length of service and a wide range of other benefits. Plus, flexible working, free on‑site parking, generous discounts on products and services and more. A lot more. We’re committed to promoting talent from within too, which means you’ll be well‑supported to build a rewarding career with an individual development plan and lots of training on offer.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: At Topps Group we believe that diversity isn’t just a box to tick. We are committed to creating an authentic ‘One Topps’ culture, where our colleagues feel included and supported regardless of who they are or where they are from. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, religions, and socio‑economic backgrounds. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know—we’re here to support you.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Finance

Industries: Retail