Financial Controller

The Finance Team

• Use our finance team and reshaping processes and technology
• Work closely with finance and business colleagues from around the globe
• Ability to influence in an organisation of 1,600 people

This Is a Senior Management Role With Responsibilities Covering

• Financial reporting, accounting and audit
• Group risk and compliance
• Treasury

Key Accountabilities

1. Financial accounting, reporting and audit

   • Support reporting leadership teams with best practice, process improvement and accounting manual maintenance
   • UK point of contact for stakeholders in these processes
   • Review Group and subsidiary financial and reporting processes
   • Support Group and subsidiary external audits
   • Review and input on Group Annual and Interim Reports and subsidiary statutory accounts
   • Assess impact of new accounting standards on the business and work with Shared Services to implement changes to accounting practices and restatement of results
   • Provide accounting technical advice on complex or unusual transactions
   • Monitor performance of the Shared Service function and broader finance functions for compliance with group accounting policy and guidelines
   • Group restructuring, legal entity simplification and distributable reserves planning
   • Oversight of APAC region accounting and filing delivery

2. Risk and compliance

   • Oversee planning and coordination of the Group’s risk review process and track progress
   • Ensure compliance with legislation and regulations impacting the finance function through internal policies
   • Investigate irregularities, fraud and non‑compliance issues
   • Oversee compliance onboarding of vendors and customers
   • Coordinate outsourced internal audit function
   • Manage Group insurance programme stakeholders

3. Treasury

   • Proactively manage group and regional liquidity needs while maximising facility usage and deposit returns
   • Maintain robust cash‑flow process to anticipate financing needs and understand deviations from expectations
   • Proactively manage foreign exchange exposures
   • Report to Treasury and Audit & Risk Committees
   • Oversee banking relationships and treasury control environment
   • Partner with business to meet Group Finance objectives for Economist subscriber payments
   • Deliver process and system improvements to drive efficiencies around treasury activities

4. Other

   • Experience in delivering systems and process change, preferably an ERP transformation
   • Support delivery of finance improvement projects in systems and processes
   • Senior leader driving best practice cross‑team collaboration and initiatives

Experience, Skills And Professional Attributes

• Education and training

  • Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
  • Previous work experience and knowledge including preparation of Annual Reports to shareholders and statutory accounts
  • Strong technical accounting knowledge
  • Managing accounting functions
  • Knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to companies and finance functions
  • Audit coordination
  • Treasury knowledge
  • Knowledge of internal financial control frameworks
  • Business risks and insurance

• Technology

  • ERP knowledge; Peoplesoft an advantage
  • Strong Excel skills

• Languages

  • English
  • Analytical approach to problem solving
  • Managing teams
  • Attention to detail
  • Development of processes
  • Communication
  • Delivering change and continuous improvement
  • Developing relationships with internal and external contacts

• Personal attributes

  • Commitment to quality and timely service delivery
  • Hands‑on approach
  • Ability to multi‑task and prioritise
  • Pro‑activity and responsiveness
  • Consultative
  • Making appropriate judgments
  • Ability to provide well‑presented information and insightful analysis of information

• Interpersonal Skills

  • Clear communicator of views and opinions
  • Ability to build networks and work with stakeholders and in teams
  • Sensitivity in providing views
  • Assertion

• Performance Measures

  • Deliver financial reports on time with no surprises
  • Manage liquidity and minimise foreign exchange volatility
  • Provide clear instructions and reports delivered
  • Strengthen compliance environment and reduce compliance issues
  • Ensure cleanliness of internal and external audit reports
  • Improve efficiency of Group structure
  • Maintain good relationships across the business and with the Shared Services team

• Working Arrangements

  The majority of roles operate on a hybrid working pattern, with 3+ days office attendance required.

What We Offer

Our benefits package supports wellbeing, growth and work‑life balance. It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program. We also offer lifestyle benefits such as flexible work location, generous annual and parental leave, dedicated volunteering days and moving‑home assistance. You will receive free access to all Economist content, including an online subscription, apps, podcasts and more.

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