Head of Finance and Control

Job description / Role

On behalf of one of our clients, a well-known FMCG retail company, we are looking for Head of Finance and Control.

To manage the financial accounting and consolidation process for the Group ensuring adequate financial controls are in place to secure the business assets of the company. The position is accountable for the accounting operations of the company, including the production of periodic financial reports, maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records, and a comprehensive set of controls designed to mitigate risk, enhance the accuracy of the company's reported financial results, and ensure that reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles or international financial reporting standards. This is a key role that ensures the integrity of the financial statements.

Working Relationships

Main Internal Relationships:
Business Unit Heads, Line Managers, Internal HR team, Finance Team, IT Team, International Market teams

Main External Relationships:
Group Bankers, Group Auditors, Group Finance, Landlords, Suppliers, Customers, Group internal auditors Government auditors

Key Position Accountabilities

The job holder is responsible and accountable for (but not limited to) the following:

• Maintain a sound system of accounting policies.
• Ensure the financial integrity of accounting transactions and security of company assets by implementing financial controls.
• Ensure accurate consolidation and accounting of company entities
• Statutory financial reporting of eleven entities across the business
• Oversee the operations of the accounting function and ensure transactions are properly recorded and a sound chart of accounts is maintained
• Review of financial information submitted by subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures
• Ensure the timely and accurate provision of financial information in line with requirements of the business and the parent Company.
• Leading the teams responsible for transaction processing including accounts receivable, accounts payable and inventory reconciliations.
• Review and sign-off of payroll and ensuring payroll related accounts reconciled
• Manage the accounting team responsible for bank and general ledger reconciliations. Review and passing of necessary journal entries to close accounts at month end
• Ensure adequate internal controls are exercised over capital and revenue expenditure and all purchases and payments, in accordance with company procedures and within specified authority limits.
• Work in close conjunction with the Business Managers in formulating annual budgets and producing reports for managers
• Responsible for completion of statutory, internal and government audits and liaison with the auditors
• Provide various financial analysis and adhoc reports to management
• Ensure compliance with government reporting requirements and tax filings
• Development of team and performance objectives as well as ensuring an appropriate structure for the finance and control function
• Challenge existing modus operandi, questioning processes and structures which are currently embedded in the Company culture.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have to these essential skills:
• 10+ years of general accounting, management reporting and financial control experience.
• Consolidation accounting experience a MUST including subsidiaries, JV; s and associates and treatment of new acquisitions and disposals
• Sound technical knowledge in IFRS, financial reporting standards and accounting principles with a fine eye for detail.
• Strong financial accounting and transaction processing skills
• Preparation of Management reports, presentations
• Previous experience with producing statutory financial statements and group reporting packs
• Experience with ERP systems preferably AX
• Experience with Cognos reporting tool
• Knowledge of BI tools such as tableau a plus
• Good internal/external communicator being able to build smooth working relationships.
• Must have experience in hospitality, retail or FMCG industry
• Educated to degree level
• Financial Accountancy Qualification – a MUST – of which Chartered preferred
• Proactive in driving change towards best practices coupled with a strong professional commitment

About the Company

GG Selection is a search partner with an international presence, clients in diverse industries, and a network of talent for all levels of seniority and experience. We’re not limited by industry or geography, and we treat every brief and every client like the individual case it is — never making assumptions or taking anything for granted, and always tailoring our service to the needs we discover.