Financial Accountant

Financial Accountant

Woking, Surrey

up to £45,000 per annum + Company Benefits

This role is a critical position within the UK Finance department, reporting into the Finance Manager, and responsible for one direct report. The role is responsible for overseeing all financial control aspects of the UK balance sheet, including responsibility of the Sarbanes Oxley reporting and ownership of some balance sheet accounts. Managing the preparation of direct and indirect cash flows (budget, forecasts and actuals) is a key aspect of the role, as well as preparation of the statutory accounts. This person is the key technical accounting contact, and has responsibility for understanding the reporting impacts of any changes to UK and US GaAP. This role would suit a newly qualified accountant looking to make their first move out of practice or audit.

Key Accountabilities

Group Reporting

• Monthly reporting of UK actual results through the ‘Controller’ consolidation system. Uploading the trial balance into Controller, reconciling intercompany balances held on the local accounting systems of each business unit, and reconciling consolidated financial statements to the UK local accounting system
• Preparation of monthly balance sheet, working capital, and cash flow analytical commentary
• Coordination of monthly Supplementary Information to be submitted to the Head Office. Work with the wider Finance team to compile schedules such as contractual obligations, accounts receivable roll-forwards, bad debt provisions, and bank guarantees
• Act as a key representative of the UK Finance team to the Group and Head Office Finance teams.

Cash Flow

• Lead the 6 week direct cash flow forecast process. Coordinate with the Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Payroll managers to determine the expected cash inflows and outflows. Monitor actual cash flows on a daily/weekly basis to determine the company’s performance against forecast. Prepare analytical commentary to explain variances between actuals and forecast
• Prepare the monthly indirect cash flow forecast. Ensure that the indirect and direct forecasts are in alignment. Liaise with the Management Accounting and FP&A teams to identify the cash impact of changes in the P&L forecasts and trends within the business
• Prepare the annual indirect cash flow budget

Management Accounting

• Oversee all journals and balance sheet reconciliations for Intangibles, Investments, Equity, Tax and Cash.
• Oversee the management accounts of the VMG entity.
• Partner with finance colleagues and the key business stakeholders to ensure delivery of accurate and timely results.

Audit and Statutory Accounts

• Coordinate internal and external audits. Ensure that all audit requests are provided in a timely manner. Act as the first point of contact for audit queries and requests
• Prepare the UK statutory accounts in line with new UK GAAP
• Research technical accounting issues for compliance, and draft accounting papers when required

Sarbanes Oxley

• Ensure that the relevant Sarbanes Oxley requirements are complied with and that all relevant internal controls and processes are documented, centrally stored and properly carried out across the department
• Assist the finance team with updating internal documentation as necessary to reflect any changes within the business

Tax

• Conduct general ledger analysis to support the Group Tax Department in their preparation of the annual tax packs
• Prepare the 5471 schedules for the Group Tax Department

Process Improvement

• Identify, develop and implement improvements to processes, including tasks brought forward to reduce the impact on each period end
• Ensure all processes and procedures are updated, documented and centrally stored

Requirements

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified
• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and procedures
• Strong technical ability, with proven experience of UK/US GAAP and the preparation of statutory accounts
• Strong focus on internal controls and processes and experience of Sarbanes Oxley
• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to communicate effectively and succinctly with people at all levels of the organisation
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and be proactive in measures taken to achieve responsibilities
• Demonstrated capability to redesign processes, often using technology
• Good systems and ERP experience as well as excellent excel skills
• Proven ability to work under pressure and to meet tight deadlines in a rapidly changing environment, whilst maintain a high level of accuracy and focus

Benefits

• Salary up to £45,000 + Company Benefits