Assistant Financial Controller

This role will have significant autonomy and involves continuous interaction with key internal and external stakeholders in the business, including working with the CFO and managing weekly Board cashflow reporting. OFL are going through a period of cultural change, and the timing of this role provides a great opportunity to refresh some of the key internal and external relationships and processes to the advantage of the team.

Client Details

A Private Equity backed retail business renowned across the UK, who are going through a period of transformation and growth.

Description

This role will have significant autonomy and involves continuous interaction with key internal and external stakeholders in the business, including working with the CFO and managing weekly Board cashflow reporting. Going through a period of cultural change in the finance team, and the timing of this role provides a great opportunity to refresh some of the key internal and external relationships and processes to the advantage of the team.

Key Responsibilities:

• One of the largest parts of the role is preparation of the 12 week rolling cashflow forecast, including variance analysis and commentary, which is sent to the Board weekly
• Extension of this reporting into preparation of an annual cashflow budget, which is updated on a regular basis
• Managing day-to-day currency needs for weekly payment runs and forecasting currency requirements so sufficient hedges can be placed to meet Hedging policies. Supporting the Group Financial Controller to managing relationships with currency providers
• Preparation of annual statutory accounts and companies house filings for UK-based trading entity and holding company
• Management of the statutory audit process being the key day to day point of contact for external auditors and preparing audit information as required
• Review of financial data and consolidation of overseas entities in Hong Kong, Vietnam and China. Support of relationships with overseas accountants and accounting advisors
• Management of relationships with external tax advisors including preparation of information required for tax filings and development of tax strategy for both direct and indirect taxes
• Oversee the purchase ledger, sales ledger and cash teams to ensure postings are timely and accurate
• Deal with escalations from suppliers and internal customers. Take ownership of resolution providing support to the team and appropriate escalation where necessary
• Manage the monthly close for AP, AR and Cash Book
• Oversee management of the core finance systems to ensure effective operation and data integrity
• Monitor and set targets and KPI's for the team to improve controls and execute tasks in a high-volume environment
• Drive improvement to processes and systems to ensure they are efficient and fit for purpose and to improve controls; including oversight of ongoing projects
• Key project contributor for implementation of a new finance system over the next 12-18 months
• Provide leadership, guidance and support for the transactional teams

Profile

• Minimum qualified accountant CIMA/ACA/ACCA with 3+years PQE in a similar role;
• Good people management skills with previous experience leading and motivating a team
• Strong communications skills with the ability to build relationships across the business at all levels
• Self starter, confident and comfortable at problem solving, finding viable solutions and offering constructive challenge to existing process and practice; Experience of process improvement and implementation. Finance system implementation/migration experience would be beneficial
• Strong technical background, having dealt with challenging technical financial reporting and accounting issues;
• Strong attention to detail. Able to drive the detail without losing the bigger picture story
• Previous experience in a transactional finance role desirable (Accounts Payable/Receivable/Cash Management
• Experience in a high-volume/large dataset environment operating to defined service levels and targets. Analytical mindset with experience in data analysis and manipulating information/ data
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and manage and prioritise issues
• Sage 1000 and SAP Concur experience beneficial

Job Offer

• Salary: Competitive, up to £65k pa
• Employee discount: amazing discounts available on products after successful completion of probation
• Life assurance: free cover of a minimum of two times your annual salary up to the age of 65
• 25 days holiday per year
• Birthday: an additional day off for you to celebrate your birthday
• Hybrid working available
• Pension: 4% employee contribution matched by the company
• Employee Assistance Programme: gives all employees access to both telephone and face-to-face counselling services
• My Rewards Programme: offers discounts on everything from restaurants and supermarkets, to entertainment and holidays
• Free on-site parking