Head of Group Financial Reporting & Control

Job Introduction

Head of Group Financial Reporting & Control

Salary £85,000 to £95,000 DOE

Permanent

• Hybrid with occasional visits into Ashford, Kent.

Closing date 25 th Feb 2024

Are you a seasoned technical accountant who has worked in a large group function organisation or plc environment? Do you enjoy variety and technical challenges? Are you a strong credible finance leader, who can instantly have an impact and build relationships internally and externally?

Here at Saga, exciting business transformation is taking place. We have a new finance system coming – Workday. Plus, there’s plenty going on for you to make a difference to process implementation and our controls frameworks.

You will manage a team of 11 with 4 direct reports across Accountants Payable, Reporting and Control. Reporting into the Group Financial Controller, and working directly with the Group CFO, Finance Leadership team and members of the Board on technical and financial reporting matters for the Saga plc Group.

This is a critical hire within our central function that incorporates FP&A, Treasury, Investor Relations, Internal audit and Risk. You will also work across our Business Unit Finance teams, Insurance, Cruise, Travel and Money.

In return, you can look forward to all the responsibility and involvement of an integral role, providing you with a rewarding and fast-paced career with an excellent benefits package.

• Remote working with a hybrid approach, occasionally you will be required to attend some team days and business meetings in our Saga hub located in Ashford, Kent. You will need to be within a reasonable commuting distance to undertake this hybrid working role.

Role Responsibility

Our new Head of Group Financial Reporting & Control will lead on the coordination, delivery and audit, of the compliant, and timely consolidated financial statements and notes to the accounts for the Saga plc annual accounts report and interim statement, and for a small number of centrally managed statutory entities.

Ultimately you will be key to setting a robust financial control framework for the Saga Group and delivering a strategy of continuous improvement in controls. As well as the development and leadership of the financial teams responsible for this scope of delivery.

You will be fully accountable for the following areas;

• Lead on the work for key judgements and estimates for the Group, both in terms of calculations and reporting into the plc Audit Committee.
• Producing the consolidated financial statements and notes to the accounts for the Saga plc annual report and accounts and interim statement, and for a small number of centrally managed statutory entities.
• Managing the Balance Sheet control aspects of monthly reporting and supporting the Group FP&A team in the production of the monthly consolidated management accounts
• Managing the external audit process throughout the year.
• Be a key liaison on all material technical accounting matter for the wider Group and Finance department.
• Keep abreast of key technical developments in the external reporting landscape.
• Proactively manage the financial control environment for the Group, ensuring adoption and adherence to group policies, procedures and best practice.
• Lead the central Accounts Payable function for the Saga Group, supporting the Accounts Payable manager.
• Support with the implementation and continuous development of Workday Financial Management as our core finance system.

The Ideal Candidate

Working as our Head of Group Financial Reporting & Control, you will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience;

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA essential, with 3+ years PQE.
• Can demonstrate group accounts consolidation experience and experience of producing financial statements, ideally in a plc environment.
• Good working knowledge of IFRS and external audit processes.
• Can manage a small team of Finance Managers.
• Robust financial controls experience.
• Has a credible track record of meeting deadlines within a reporting cycle.
• Demonstrated ability to work well across different Business Units and functions.

Desirable:

• Previous knowledge or experience from Insurance accounting.
• Financial controls experience advantageous.
• Experience of IBM Cognos TM1 and Workday Financial Management.

Package Description

Everyday our colleagues deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. We believe exceptional work deserves even more exceptional rewards, that's why we have put together an amazing benefits package.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays with the choice to buy a further 5 days annual leave per year
• Annual Bonus up to 15% of your annual salary
• Car Benefit – cash allowance - £4800 per annum
• Free private medical insurance after 1 years' service
• Pension scheme matched up to 10%
• Life assurance policy – 4 x annual salary
• Wellbeing programme
• Colleague discounts including family discounts on cruises and holidays!
• Range of reductions and offers from leading retailers, travel groups and entertainment companies
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Grandparents leave
• Income protection
• Access to Saga Academy, our bespoke learning platform

About The Company

Over the past 70 years we have become the UK's specialist provider of products and services to people aged over 50 in the UK. The Saga brand has become one of the most recognised and trusted brands amongst UK consumers in this demographic, recognised for its high quality products and exceptional standards of service. These include cruises and holidays, insurance, personal finance and the Saga Magazine.

At Saga we are committed to treating all employees fairly and to offering equal opportunities in all aspects of employment and advancement. We value diversity not just because it is the right thing to do, but because diverse teams perform better.

Fair consideration is given to applications from all applicants, including those with disabilities and those over who are over 50 as we are champions of age inclusivity. We are an official Disability Confident Committed employer and ensure that our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible and we will make reasonable adjustments as required. For more information on our DEI policies please visit our Saga Careers page. **

Saga does not accept agency CVs unless specifically engaged on the role by the Talent Acquisition Team. Please do not forward CVs to our recruiters, employees or any other company location. Saga will not be responsible for any fees related to CVs received in this unsolicited manner.**

Saga Group