Head of Group Reporting

Head of Group Reporting

Full-Time 100000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Trainline

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead Group Reporting, manage audits, and oversee financial statements for a top rail app.
  • Company: Join Trainline, Europe's number 1 downloaded rail app, focused on sustainable travel.
  • Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, generous leave, and clear career growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Hybrid work model with a vibrant, diverse team culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while driving financial excellence.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with IFRS expertise and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 120000 £ per year.

About us
We are champions of rail, inspired to build a greener, more sustainable future of travel. Trainline enables millions of travellers to find and book the best value tickets across carriers, fares, and journey options through our highly rated mobile app, website, and B2B partner channels. Great journeys start with Trainline. Now Europe’s number 1 downloaded rail app, with over 135 million monthly visits and 6.3 billion in annual ticket sales, we collaborate with 270+ rail and coach companies in over 40 countries. We want to create a world where travel is as simple, seamless, eco-friendly and affordable as it should be. Today, we're a FTSE 250 company driven by our incredible team of over 1,000 Trainliners from 50+ nationalities, based across London, Paris, Barcelona, Milan, Edinburgh and Madrid. With our focus on growth in the UK and Europe, now is the perfect time to join us on this high-speed journey.

Introducing the Trainline Group Reporting Team
As a fast moving FTSE 250 business, we're looking for an experienced and technically excellent Head of Group Reporting to join us on a permanent basis. This is a senior role at the heart of our external reporting and financial control framework, calling for deep IFRS expertise and the confidence to navigate complex and judgemental accounting areas. It's a role that goes beyond a typical Group Reporting position, suited to someone who thrives in a varied, fast paced environment, is always ready to get involved, and loves learning new things. Our business changes daily, so we need someone who stays close to the operational side of things and can help us respond quickly and effectively.

Technical rigour is non-negotiable here. You'll be the go-to person for complex and judgemental accounting questions, expected to research positions thoroughly, form a clear view, and defend it with auditors and advisors, while translating that thinking into clear, accessible communication for senior non-financial stakeholders. You'll also bring commercial awareness, particularly around cashflow, liquidity and capital, along with the analytical instinct to spot when the numbers don't add up.

In this role as the Head of Group Reporting, you will...

  • Take ownership of producing the Group's IFRS annual and half yearly listed financial statements and annual report.
  • Lead the year end and half year external audit and review processes end to end, keeping key stakeholders informed and preparing and presenting Audit Committee papers.
  • Oversee the production and filing of subsidiary statutory accounts across our UK and international entities.
  • Own the Group's cashflow forecasting process, providing insight and analysis on liquidity, capital allocation and capital structure to support CFO and Board decision making, working closely with treasury on execution.
  • Act as the Group's primary technical accounting authority, researching and forming well reasoned positions on complex and judgemental areas, implementing new standards, and presenting conclusions to senior management, the Audit Committee, auditors and advisors.
  • Take the lead on one off projects, partnering with teams across the business, while contributing to monthly reporting, annual budgeting, and ownership of specific balance sheet, cashflow and working capital areas.
  • Build and support strong external relationships, including with auditors, loan providers and banking partners, and work closely with legal and CoSec to ensure reporting requirements are met on time.
  • Lead Finance's contribution to the Group's material controls framework under Provision 29, maintain and develop the Group's accounting policies including for acquisitions and legal structure changes, and guide reporting systems and process change to protect the integrity of our control environment.

We'd love to hear from you if you have...

  • You're a qualified accountant with significant post qualification experience, including meaningful time spent in industry within a listed business, and are comfortable with the reporting obligations and scrutiny that come with that environment; you have a consistent record of delivering to deadline.
  • You bring extensive IFRS expertise and a strong technical accounting grounding, confident researching and forming defensible positions on complex areas such as multi-currency consolidations, share based payments, EPS, impairment, revenue recognition, leases and business combinations.
  • If you're currently in practice, you'd be operating at Director level or above, with substantial experience advising listed groups on complex technical matters and be ready to step into a senior in-house leadership role.
  • You have experience researching and implementing new accounting or reporting standards.
  • You're analytical and thorough when reviewing financial information, quick to spot errors in accounting treatment or anomalies that don't add up.
  • You have proven people management experience, with a track record of leading, motivating and developing high performing teams across multiple disciplines.
  • You're an excellent project manager, organised in your own workload while confident delegating and developing others, equally comfortable working independently or as part of a team.
  • You're ambitious and driven, energised by a fast paced environment, always ready to get involved in team projects and try new things; it would be helpful if you're open to occasional travel to our Paris and Edinburgh offices.

More information:
Enjoy fantastic perks like private healthcare & dental insurance, a generous work from abroad policy, 2-for-1 share purchase plans, an EV Scheme to further reduce carbon emissions, extra festive time off, and excellent family-friendly benefits. We prioritise career growth with clear career paths, transparent pay bands, personal learning budgets, and regular learning days. Jump on board and supercharge your career from day one! We're operating a hybrid model and ask that Trainliners work from the office a minimum of 60% of their time over a 12-week period. We also have a 28-day Work from Abroad policy.

Our values represent the things that matter most to us and what we live and breathe everyday, in everything we do: Think Big - We're building the future of rail; Own It - We focus on every customer, partner and journey; Travel Together - We're one team; Do Good - We make a positive impact. We know that having a diverse team makes us better and helps us succeed. And we mean all forms of diversity - gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, nationality and diversity of thought. That's why we're committed to creating inclusive places to work, where everyone belongs and differences are valued and celebrated.

Interested in finding out more about what it's like to work at Trainline? Why not check us out on LinkedIn, Instagram and Glassdoor!

Head of Group Reporting employer: Trainline

At Trainline, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions collaboration and continuous improvement. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through clear career paths, personal learning budgets, and generous benefits like private healthcare and a flexible work-from-abroad policy. Join us in Edinburgh, where you can make a meaningful impact on customer experiences while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.

Trainline

Contact Details:

Trainline Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Group Reporting

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

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Connect on Professional Platforms

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 Trainline. 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 Head of Group Reporting

IFRS Expertise
Technical Accounting
Financial Reporting
Audit Management
Cashflow Forecasting
Analytical Skills
Project Management

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 Trainline.

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 Trainline'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 Trainline

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 Trainline.

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 Trainline 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 Trainline 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.