Group Financial Controller

Our Client:

High profile large organisation based in the centre of Cardiff. They are a financial services group operating nationwide.

Highly regarded finance team with strong team members. The organisation has a reputation for being a great place to work, supportive working environment with good work/ life balance.

The Role:

Based within the Finance Department, the Financial Controller will report to the Finance Director and will manage the Group’s accounting function, facilitating efficient and effective support for the management team, budget holders and project managers.

The role will represent the Finance function in IT and other business change programs, including the introduction of any new systems, funds, or products. Representing the interests of the finance function and providing guidance as necessary.

The post holder will have up to 5 direct reports and will be responsible for up to 15 members of the group finance team.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintenance of all financial systems and control procedures, proactively identifying areas that require improvement and implementing necessary changes to support business growth and development.
• Ensure accurate preparation of monthly management accounts in accordance with agreed format and timetables.
• Proactively horizon scan for any potential changes in legislation or regulations that may impact the Group and oversee any associated implementation e.g. new International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Financial Reporting Standards (FRS 102).
• Ensure the accurate and timely preparation of the statutory accounts in accordance with applicable accounting standards, current regulations, and best practice.
• Proactively manage the external audit process, ensuring that statutory group financial statements and annual report is approved in line with required deadlines and that all subsidiary and limited partnership annual accounts are also produced in a timely, effective manner.
• Take responsibility for Key Audit Matters.
• Ensure the accurate and timely preparation of budget forecasts. 
• Proactive interaction with the strategy and investment/portfolio teams to identify potential accounting and budgetary challenges in new funds and investment products and finding solutions to these challenges.
• Ensure that all reconciliation of key control accounts including bank are completed in a timely manner.
• Oversee Corporation tax, VAT, quarterly tax payments and other tax compliance across the Group. Liaising with external experts as necessary.
• Oversee payroll function, ensuring that the function is appropriately equipped to deal with any changes in payroll regulations.
• Issue guidance to management team concerning working practices in relation to financial systems and procedures and to provide advice, guidance, and information on all financial procedural matters.
• Co-operation with auditors, advisers and officials as required.
• Identification appropriate development and training for the Finance team to ensure they are effective and efficient in their roles and wherever possible personal goals are achieved.
• Coordination of banking relationships and user permissions.
• Acting as a bank signatory for the processing of payments.
• Oversee group treasury activity with banking counterparties. 
• Preparation of ad hoc tasks and accounting reports as required.

About You:

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• IT literate with good ability to use Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Up to date knowledge of technical accounting issues.
• Good knowledge of industry and commerce.
• Experience of managing a busy finance department, in a high growth business (i.e. change management).
• Experience of training and developing staff.
• Experience of preparing accounts for a complex group of companies.
• ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified
• Key IFRS, FRS 101 and FRS 102 technical accounting and auditing experience.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.