At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design and delivery of finance consolidation solutions using IBM Cognos Controller.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on finance solutions in a UK-based role.
- Benefits: On-site work in Reading two days a week, fostering collaboration with stakeholders.
- Other info: Experience with cloud or hybrid deployments is desirable.
- Why this job: Opportunity to shape robust architecture for financial reporting and consolidation.
- Qualifications: Minimum 5 years as a Solution Architect with hands-on IBM Cognos Controller experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Experience level: Senior (5+ years as a Solution Architect)
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced Solution Architect to lead the design and delivery of finance consolidation solutions built around IBM Cognos Controller. You will work closely with finance, IT, and business stakeholders to translate complex consolidation and reporting requirements into robust, scalable architecture. This is a UK-based role with an expectation to be on-site in Reading two days per week.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end solution architecture for finance consolidation and group reporting platforms.
- Design and configure IBM Cognos Controller to support statutory and management consolidation, intercompany eliminations, and currency translation.
- Translate business and finance requirements into clear technical designs, integration patterns, and data flows.
- Define integration between Cognos Controller and upstream/downstream systems (ERP, GL, data warehouse, reporting tools).
- Provide technical leadership and guidance to developers, analysts, and finance teams throughout delivery.
- Produce architecture documentation, solution blueprints, and design decision records.
- Identify and mitigate technical risks, and ensure solutions meet performance, security, and governance standards.
- Support testing, deployment, and post-go-live stabilisation.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Minimum 5 years experience as a Solution Architect.
- Hands-on knowledge of IBM Cognos Controller.
- Strong understanding of financial consolidation processes - group reporting, eliminations, currency translation, statutory and management reporting.
- Proven ability to design integrations between consolidation platforms and enterprise systems.
- Experience working directly with finance stakeholders and translating accounting requirements into technical solutions.
- Excellent communication and documentation skills.
- Eligible to work in the UK and able to attend the Reading office two days per week.
Desirable Exposure
- Exposure to IBM Cognos Analytics / TM1 / Planning Analytics.
- Background in finance, accounting, or FP&A environments.
- Experience with cloud or hybrid deployments.
Solutions Architect in Reading employer: XFactor Talent
This role is based in Reading, UK, where you will collaborate closely with finance and IT teams. The company values technical leadership and offers a chance to work on innovative finance solutions, ensuring compliance and performance standards are met.
