The Role
Reporting to the Director of Corporate Finance, Tax and Treasury, the Head of Accounting will ensure that key accounting policies and processes are defined, agreed and implemented across the global finance organization. The role has to maintain close relationships with the Controlling, Business Partnering and Corporate FP&A teams to ensure consistency of approach across all aspects of financial reporting, as well as the Parent Company Finance team.
What will you be doing?
Policies, Standards and Continual Improvement
* Work with key stakeholders to take a lead in defining and maintaining Conde Nasts accounting policies and partnering to ensure global policy adoption and compliance.
* Oversee the continuing adoption of US GAAP for management reporting and provide oversight to ensure statutory reporting is consistent with country regulatory reporting standards
* Work with Corporate FP&A to ensure the Workday charts of accounts (FDM) is appropriately documented and meets requirements for accounting and management and regulatory reporting and champion the consistent adoption of the FDM across all Finance teams
* Work with Market Controllers and Controlling Operations to identify opportunities to drive improvements in controlling processes, automation and the way that the Controlling teams are organized
* Horizon scanning, providing advice on, and supporting / leading implementation of (as appropriate) new accounting standards and guidance, including analysis of impact on financial statements
* Develop, implement and embed a minimum controls framework this is fit for Conde Nast
Statutory Audit and Internal Audit
* High-level oversight of statutory audits across all global entities, including engaging with the auditors to ensure that the audit process and timelines are achieved and all audit points are reviewed and action plans put in place to address
* Responsibility and oversight of the annual audit for Conde Nast Holdings Group and the delivery of subsidiary information for statutory Group reporting
* Responsibility and oversight of the preparation and consolidation of statutory financial statements for Conde Nast Holdings Ltd, including the tax note within the accounts
* Act as the primary point of contact with Internal Audit, agreeing audit plans and ensuring that any audit points are reviewed and action plans put in place to address by the appropriate teams
Inter-company and Technical Support
* Lead and own the global intercompany accounting processes, working closely with tax team ensuring that the transfer pricing policies are implemented correctly
* Support Treasury team with intercompany settlements and cash forecasting processes
* Provide technical accounting support to the wider finance team inc. subsidiaries
Team Development
* Supervising, coaching and mentoring the Group reporting team (London and offshore in India), delegating tasks and ensuring they are completed within an agreed timeframe, reviewing key work, in addition to providing feedback and conducting performance reviews
Strategic Outlook and Ad-Hoc Projects
* Develop and improve Group reporting using BI Tool and ERP system and ensure that the impact of new systems, processes or initiatives are appropriately considered and incorporated into existing reporting and controls environment
* Providing ad hoc analysis/ financial models and support, to different teams and departments for decision making in areas of tax planning and corporate restructuring
* Input a range of projects and continuous improvement activities, ensuring that all projects that impact the Controlling team are successfully delivered and embedded in the organisation
* Lead the preparation of the group consolidation (transition to new system) with Parent Company
Who you are:
* Technically strong accountant with multi consolidation and group reporting experience in a large global company, with working knowledge of US GAAP and FRS 102
* Dynamic self-starter with a proactive approach to challenges with the ability to think outside the box
* Significant experience in financial modeling with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
* Ability to present and explain complex financials to a range of stakeholders particularly senior stakeholders
* Demonstrable organisational skills with the ability to work under pressure, juggle multiple priorities and to meet tight deadlines.
* Excellent relationship management, presentation, communication and influencing skills
* Have a hands on approach, visible across the business with good presentation, communication and other interpersonal skills
* Experience designing, implementing and harmonizing new technical processes across multiple entities
* Experience managing group audit and consolidation
* Experience of system development and new system implementation
* Strong business process improvement skills and experience (e.g. Six Sigma, Lean)
* Line management experience
* Microsoft Excel and google sheets - Advanced
* Good working knowledge of relational databases e.g. Cognos, Oracle and EPM.
* Workday ERP knowledge will be a big bonus
* Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA), minimum 5 years PQE, preferably ACA
* Media or publishing industry experience strongly preferred
* Taxation and transfer pricing desirable
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