Group Financial Controller
Full job description
Group Financial Controller (salary from £100,000 depending on experience)
12 month fixed term contract
Immediate is home to some of the biggest and most loved consumer brands in the UK, including Radio Times, Good Food and BBC Gardeners World magazine. Our trusted, quality content reaches millions of people a month across digital, print, video, podcasts, apps and live events.
We’re the destination for people looking to get more from the things they love. We’re here to inspire, fuel, encourage and educate.
Whether it’s the big things, or the little things; from reaching fitness goals to savouring good food, cultivating outdoor spaces, or enjoying the latest TV sensation – we help bring our audiences joy!
About the role
The Group Financial Controller has responsibility for financial reporting, statutory accounts, consolidation, treasury, tax, balance sheet control and cash forecasting as well as ad hoc project work as required. This role manages a team of 7 consisting of reporting, treasury and tax teams.
This role has full responsibility for cash management and covenant monitoring and the Group Financial Controller must have a detailed and firm grasp of these areas. They are also responsible for the preparation and review of the Group’s consolidated management and statutory accounts and appropriate files for the external auditors and will require a detailed understanding of the Group’s financial operations and controls.
The Group Financial Controller requires an awareness of the key tax issues impacting a UK print and digital media group and an ability to analyse and progress work on some of the more complex issues impacting us. The Group Financial Controller will work with the tax team, along with our third-party tax advisors to ensure the company’s tax affairs are in order and all controls, returns and reporting are submitted in an accurate and timely manner.
Finally, the Group Financial Controller will lead on all important issues of technical accounting as they affect the management of the group including in relation to M&A activity.
Responsibilities:
Management
Management of the Group Finance function including management of a team of 7 staff
Accounting, Financial Reporting and Financial Control
Managing the audit of our consolidated results, reporting to the Group’s owners on a tight deadline
Managing the preparation and review of consolidated and individual company statutory accounts
Advising (in consultation with our auditors when necessary) on accounting implications of M&A or other one-off events
Ensuring the Group’s accounting and financial reporting is correct and in-line with applicable accounting standards, currently UK GAAP
Ensuring the Group maintains a strong financial control environment
Managing the relationship with the external auditors and the external audit process
Responsibility for the Group financial reporting software, Adaptive Insights
Review of the consolidation of monthly results
Review of the quarterly reporting pack for parent company reporting
Preparation of forecasts for depreciation, amortisation, interest and tax
Ensuring appropriate accounting and reconciliation for key cost areas including subscriptions income, circulation income, print and paper costs
Treasury
Treasury and cash management
Cash forecasting
Loan and covenant monitoring and reporting
Preparation of the quarterly loan report
Other bank reporting
Management of everyday banking relationships
Tax
Oversight of the Company’s tax affairs and work on some of the more complex tax issues impacting the Group
Review of VAT returns and consideration of the VAT issues impacting the Group
Preparation of corporation tax return workings for statutory reporting, as well as payments of quarterly income tax throughout the year
Preparation of deferred tax calculations
Management of the relationship with our third-party tax advisors
Other
Management of the staff expenses processes, manual invoicing processes, manual payments etc. undertaken by the Group Finance Administrator
Management of other invoicing relationships such as BBC Studios contract publishing, rent schedules with the landlord
Managing the relationship with outsourced AP & AR team
Ad hoc project work as required by the Group FD
Requirements
ACA – 7 plus years PQE, with training from a top accountancy practice
Experience gained in a medium sized commercial organisation would be useful
Strong financial accounting background with very strong technical accounting experience
Experience of M&A and divestments
A proven track record in financial control and strong attention to detail
Ability to plan and manage own workload in order to meet tight deadlines
Initiative to find solutions
A genuine interest in the Publishing & Digital Media sector
Strong Excel and IT skills essential
An awareness of the tax issues impacting a UK print and digital media group
Ability to use initiative and creative thinking to anticipate issues and develop common sense, practical solutions
Proactive and self-motivated with excellent communication skills
Confident and flexible team player
Driven and committed to produce the highest quality work and to deliver technical expertise at all times
Audit experience
Cash management experience
Consolidation experience
VAT, Treasury / cash management
Preparing accounts
Preparation of financial statements
FRS 102
IFRS
Benefits
A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival
Immediate Community webinars, well-being initiatives and Mental Health First aiders
25 days holiday plus a day for your birthday. Our offices will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s which are in addition to your annual entitlement
Tailored training and development through our Love Learning platform
A progressive and transparent culture with clear career progression
Flexible / hybrid working plus early finish Fridays
Cycle to work scheme
Enhanced Family Policies including paternity, adoption and surrogacy leave. We also provide a pregnancy loss, fertility, and carers policy
Competitive pension plans and Life Assurance
A newly renovated modern office with lots of collaborative spaces