At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial reporting processes and ensure audit readiness in a dynamic trading environment.
- Company: Join a leading international trading and distribution company with a focus on excellence.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with senior finance leaders and external auditors in a fast-paced, rewarding role.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving financial discipline and delivering successful audit outcomes.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant (ACA or ACCA) with experience in supply chain or trading sectors.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Interim Record to Report (R2R) & Audit Readiness Lead
Contract: Interim / Fixed Term Contract (Possibly Temp – Perm)
Sector: International Trading, Distribution & Supply Chain
Reporting to: Senior Finance Leadership
- Other
- : Part-Time (4 days could be considered)
The Opportunity
We are recruiting for an accomplished Record to Report (R2R) and Audit Readiness Lead to support a substantial, multi-region international business operating within a complex trading and distribution environment.
This is a critical, delivery-focused assignment requiring an experienced finance professional who can bring structure, rigour and accountability to financial reporting processes, ensuring the organisation is fully prepared to meet demanding audit and reporting deadlines.
Working closely with senior finance leadership, regional finance teams and external auditors, the successful candidate will take ownership of key R2R activities, strengthen financial controls and drive the successful delivery of audit requirements within an accelerated timeframe.
This is not a purely advisory or process improvement role.
We are looking for someone who has personally delivered results in financial reporting environments, can establish control quickly and has the resilience and technical capability to see an assignment through to successful audit completion.
Key Responsibilities
- R2R Leadership & Audit Delivery
- Take ownership of critical Record to Report activities, ensuring financial reporting processes are robust, accurate and audit-ready.
- Establish a clear, prioritised delivery plan aligned to demanding audit and reporting deadlines.
- Review the integrity of general ledger balances, supporting reconciliations and financial reporting information.
- Identify and resolve financial reporting issues, control weaknesses and outstanding audit requirements.
- Drive the timely preparation, review and completion of balance sheet reconciliations, journals, accruals and intercompany accounting.
- Coordinate audit deliverables across multiple regions, ensuring consistency, accountability and timely resolution of outstanding matters.
- Work directly with internal stakeholders and external auditors to resolve queries, provide supporting evidence and progress towards successful audit sign-off.
- Introduce appropriate governance, reporting and escalation procedures to maintain momentum and ensure delivery against agreed milestones.
- Inventory, Trading & Distribution Accounting
- Apply strong financial control principles within an inventory-intensive, trading or distribution environment.
- Review inventory accounting, stock reconciliations, valuation methodologies and associated balance sheet controls.
- Understand the financial implications of complex supply chains, including stock movements, goods in transit, cut-off procedures and intercompany trading.
- Identify potential financial reporting risks associated with inventory, cost of sales, margin recognition and working capital.
- Work closely with supply chain, operations and regional finance teams to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information.
- Strengthen the relationship between operational data, inventory systems and financial reporting.
- Financial Controls, Governance & Process Improvement
- Assess existing R2R processes and identify areas requiring immediate remediation.
- Establish clear ownership, supporting documentation and evidence for key financial controls.
- Improve the quality and consistency of reconciliations and reporting across regional finance teams.
- Ensure appropriate audit trails are maintained and that financial information can withstand external scrutiny.
- Introduce practical, sustainable improvements without compromising critical reporting deadlines.
- Support compliance with relevant Group reporting policies, accounting standards and internal control frameworks.
- Stakeholder Management & Delivery
- Act as a credible, hands-on partner to senior finance leadership, regional finance teams and external auditors.
- Provide clear and regular updates on progress, outstanding risks and actions required to achieve audit readiness.
- Challenge existing processes and behaviours where necessary to ensure delivery.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities involving finance, operations, supply chain and systems teams.
- Take ownership of complex issues, driving them through to resolution rather than simply identifying problems.
- The Person We're Looking for
We are seeking a fully qualified accountant, preferably ACA or ACCA, with substantial experience gained within a supply chain, distribution or trading business.
This sector background is essential.
The successful candidate must understand the financial complexities of inventory-intensive operations, including stock valuation, inventory controls, working capital, intercompany transactions and the relationship between operational activity and financial reporting.
Equally important is a demonstrable track record of delivering successful audit outcomes, particularly within complex international organisations operating against demanding reporting deadlines.
We need someone who brings technical credibility, exceptional rigour and personal accountability.
You will be comfortable taking ownership of challenging situations, establishing clear priorities and driving issues through to resolution.
This is a delivery-led appointment. Proven results, rather than simply exposure to similar projects, will be fundamental to selection.
Essential Experience & Qualifications
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA or ACCA preferred). A recognised equivalent professional accounting qualification may be considered, but full qualification is mandatory.
- Essential sector experience within supply chain, distribution or trading.
Candidates must demonstrate direct experience of the financial and operational complexities associated with these environments.
- Significant experience in Record to Report, financial control, statutory reporting or audit readiness.
- Proven track record of successfully delivering financial reporting and audit requirements against challenging deadlines.
- Strong understanding of inventory accounting, stock valuation, reconciliations and associated financial controls.
- Experience working across multiple entities, countries or reporting regions.
- Strong technical accounting knowledge, including balance sheet integrity, intercompany accounting and financial reporting controls.
- Demonstrable experience identifying, prioritising and resolving complex accounting or audit issues.
- Experience working directly with external auditors through to successful audit completion.
- Strong stakeholder management skills and the confidence to challenge, influence and drive accountability.
- A disciplined, methodical approach with exceptional attention to detail.
- Highly Desirable
- Experience within a large-scale international trading or distribution organisation.
- Previous experience leading accelerated audit readiness or financial reporting remediation assignments.
- Experience working within a listed or internationally owned Group.
- Knowledge of SOX, J-SOX or similarly rigorous financial control environments.
- Experience improving reporting consistency across geographically dispersed finance teams.
- Strong ERP knowledge, particularly within complex inventory and distribution environments.
- What Success Looks Like
Success in this assignment will ultimately be measured by the successful delivery of audit requirements and achievement of external audit sign-off within the agreed reporting timetable.
The successful candidate will have
- Established a clear, structured and achievable audit readiness plan.
- Taken ownership of critical R2R deliverables and driven them through to completion.
- Resolved material reconciliation issues, reporting discrepancies and outstanding audit matters.
- Ensured inventory and other significant balance sheet positions are appropriately supported, reconciled and evidenced.
- Strengthened the accuracy, consistency and reliability of financial reporting across multiple regions.
- Established clear accountability and effective coordination between regional finance teams.
- Delivered complete, accurate and timely audit evidence.
- Maintained effective engagement with external auditors and senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrated measurable improvements in financial control, reporting discipline and audit preparedness.
- Contributed directly to the successful completion and sign-off of the external audit within the required timeframe.
The Opportunity to Make an Impact
This is a significant assignment for an experienced finance professional who thrives in complex environments and takes pride in delivering tangible results.
The successful individual will be recognised for their ability to bring financial discipline, technical expertise and decisive leadership to a business-critical programme.
We are particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate that they have successfully delivered comparable assignments, rather than simply participated in them.
Proven delivery, technical rigour and personal accountability will be central to success.
R2R Audit Readiness in London employer: Wade Macdonald
Wade Macdonald is an exceptional employer that values strategic leadership and employee development, offering a dynamic work culture in Reading. With a focus on hybrid working, employees enjoy flexibility while engaging in meaningful projects that shape compensation frameworks across the UK and internationally. The company fosters growth through continuous learning opportunities and a collaborative environment, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking to make a significant impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R2R Audit Readiness in London
✨Dive into Financial Communities
Join financial forums and local networking events where professionals in financial controlling hang out. Places like the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or local finance meetups can connect us with insiders who know about part-time opportunities, like the one at Wade Macdonald.
✨Leverage Campus Resources
If we’re still studying or recently graduated, let’s not forget to use our university’s career services. They often have leads on part-time roles in financial controlling, particularly with companies looking for students to fill these positions, making it a win-win!
✨Demonstrate Your Skills Publicly
Share your insights on financial topics through blogs or LinkedIn posts. Showcasing our expertise in areas like budgeting, forecasting, or variance analysis can attract the attention of potential employers, including Wade Macdonald. Plus, it sets us apart from other candidates.
✨Check Out Freelance Platforms
Even for a part-time gig, consider platforms like Upwork or Freelancer. They often have short-term projects in financial controlling, and landing one can help us build our portfolio. Keep an eye on roles that could lead to more permanent positions at places like Wade Macdonald.
We think you need these skills to ace R2R Audit Readiness in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Financial Acumen:For a role in financial controlling, we really want to see your analytical skills shine through. Make sure your CV highlights any coursework or experience with financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. If you've worked on any projects that involved financial modelling, definitely mention those!
Quantified Achievements Are Key:In financial roles, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your experience, use quantifiable achievements whenever possible. For example, if you helped reduce costs or improved a process, include the percentage or amount saved. This will make your application really pop!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Part-Time Availability:Since this is a part-time position, it's super important to specify your availability in your cover letter. We want to know when you can work and how you plan to balance this role with other commitments. Highlight your motivation for joining Wade Macdonald and why this flexibility fits your lifestyle.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:If you have any certifications related to finance or accounting (like ACCA or CIMA), make sure they're front and centre in your application. Even if you're studying towards a qualification, mention that too! It shows your commitment to the field and continuous improvement.
How to prepare for a job interview at Wade Macdonald
✨Get comfy with numbers!
Since you're diving into financial controlling, be ready to crunch some numbers during the interview. Brush up on key financial concepts and be prepared for technical questions about budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. Practicing some numerical problems will really help us shine!
✨Show off your analytical skills
For a part-time role in financial controlling, you'll likely face scenario-based questions. Prepare to discuss how you would analyse company performance or tackle cash flow issues. We want to demonstrate our problem-solving approach and critical thinking—making a sense of data is key!
✨Bring your portfolio of wins
Even if it’s part-time, showcasing our past experience can set us apart. Gather examples of projects where you implemented financial controls or helped improve reporting processes. Concrete achievements give us an edge, showing that we can deliver real value to Wade Macdonald.
✨Know the part-time game
With part-time roles, employers want to see that we can effectively manage our time. Be ready to discuss our availability and how we plan to balance work and other commitments. We should convey our motivation and readiness to contribute without compromising quality!
