Purpose of the role:

• Ensure business accounting and management reporting is delivered in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ownership in delivering and continued development of a robust financial control environment.
• Deliver all financial reporting requirements including statutory reporting and ensure compliance with SOX and other internal policy.
• Functional lead - senior role within the finance function, leading and developing the team to support delivery of wider business goals.

Key Accountabilities & Activities

• Manage the monthly, quarterly and annual accounting and reporting requirements, to deliver an effective close process for the business
• Ensure the preparation of regional overheads management accounts and UK legal entity financial statements in an accurate and timely manner
• Ensure efficient, accurate and timely processing and recording of transactions by finance, both within own team and the wider finance function
• Deliver high quality management information including reporting packs and insightful commentary, and performance measurement for central cost centres that is accurate and relevant to stakeholders within finance and the wider business
• Develop UK/Europe accounting policies and procedures that meet G&W and Regional requirements.
• Develop and maintain robust financial controls and governance to ensure compliance with US and UK/Europe corporate policies, accounting standards (GAAP and IFRS) and any other regulations for financial reporting
• Accountable for ensuring compliance with these across the full finance function
• Work with colleagues to develop/optimize systems and processes to support the control environment and deliver improved processes across the business.
• Create and maintain process workflow documentation for all areas the role is responsible for, with ultimate responsibility for accurate accounting records and the provision of financial reports

• Ownership for the UK internal control and Sarbanes Oxley (‘SOX’) program. Ensure all management and staff are aware of their individual responsibilities under SOX; Ensure controls and procedures surrounding all critical processes are fully understood at all times by control owners to ensure in particular that SOX 404 requirements are met

• Manage and ensure delivery of all internal and external audit requirements including being the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all statutory financial reporting of UK domiciled companies. Oversight on the European statutory entities; ensure an understanding of bridging from GAAP to local stats
• Lead interaction and conclusion with US Corporate team and local advisors on technical accounting issues
• Recruit, retain, develop and inspire a high-performing team
• Establish a high level of credibility and ensure strong working relationships with the G&W Senior Leadership Team

Person Specification

The Corporate Controller must be able to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and experience:

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with finance and the wider business including with a wide range of stakeholders, Business partnering experience beneficial in this regard;
• Experience in a finance role where significant change, transformation and improvement of business performance has been delivered;
• Leader of people – builds, manages, coaches and develops professional teams which deliver;
• Gravitas; able to establish personal credibility at an early stage;
• Culturally sensitive and able to modify approach according to the needs of the situation/individual;
• Energetic, enthusiastic and driven – Passionate;
• Experience and success in stakeholder/relationship management – able to work at all levels internally and externally;
• Attention to detail whilst being able to maintain sight of the bigger, strategic picture;
• Strong analytical skills – ability to apply insight and analysis to complex problems, and make sound business judgements;
• High impact communication and presentation skills;
• Experience of working in a multi-site, operationally focused business;
• Experience with U.S. GAAP and IFRS, including internal control over financial reporting, as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX);
• Knowledge of DB pension scheme accounting and technical lease accounting beneficial
• Degree level education. Professional Financial Qualification preferred (CIMA, ACCA, ACA);
• Some travel throughout the UK will be required.

Working Relationships

Internal

• Finance
• Business Unit operations
• Other support areas, primarily Legal, HR, IT, Commercial

External

• External auditors
• Other specialist support entities e.g. for pensions
• Industry associations