Finance Controller

Secure Solutions UKI (SSUKI) is the UK&I manned guarding and electronic security services division of G4S t/o £900m. It delivers a mix of static guarding and security systems at a wide range of sites and customers across the UK and Ireland.

Main purpose of the role:

Support the FD SSUKI in the financial management of the SSUKI division

Manage and develop the control environment of the SSUKI division

Ensure adherence to all external, Regional and Group financial compliance processes

Oversee Business Planning in the SSUKI division – Budget, Forecasting and Strategic planning including preparation of supporting packs and analysis

Deliver monthly financial reporting of the SSUKI division – ensuring the performance of the business is clearly and consistently articulated

Specific responsibility for FP&A, monthly reporting and compliance of the UK Guarding BU within SSUK (T/O +£450m)

Lead a team of 11 Finance managers and Contract accountants (2 direct reports) for UK Guarding business

Support Ops teams to deliver cash targets through improved collection of billed debt and reduction of accrued income

Management of internal and external audits as they relate to Finance function

Oversee US GAAP compliance to ensure accurate reporting

Key deliverables:

Professional leadership role in SSUKI finance

key member of the central finance team with exposure to senior business leaders (Regional President, Regional CFO, BU MDs)

deputising for the FD SSUKI when appropriate

Strong financial control environment

delivering a fit for purpose control environment to underpin all SSUKI financial accounting, reporting and risk management operations

ensuring that balance sheet exposures are understood, articulated and managed; with all accounts reviewed and reconciled in accordance with requirements

identify risks and opportunities to be included in regular updates to FD/MD

liaising authoritatively with Group and Region Finance teams on all accounting matters

driving efficient, timely and controlled month end and year end accounting processes – ensuring all parts of the division are accounting in accordance with Group standards and timelines

initiating and following through on actions necessary to become compliant with all control frameworks including Minimum Financial Controls and Month End Checklist standards and future SOX compliance (albeit this needs to be driven and resourced by HO).

coordinate monthly compliance meetings for each main business unit

address Group Internal Audit findings and recommendations as they relate to Finance function

Monthly financial reporting

providing an authoritative, comprehensive and timely financial reporting suite that allows senior management to manage the business effectively and proactively

monthly monitoring of Guarding BU specific risks and opportunities with MDs

meeting all Group and Region submission requirements (including BPC input and CXO reconciliations)

ensuring compliance to US GAAP reporting as outlined by Group

Challenging business planning

oversee the Business Plan, budget and forecast processes; supporting the Regional President, FD of SSUKI and BU MDs to set financial targets that are aligned with Allied expectations

delivering smooth processes; setting realistic timetables to meet Regional reporting obligations, providing relevant and consistent financial information, arranging management reviews and ensuring approved plans are appropriately submitted and available in BPC for financial reporting

compiling regional budget and forecast packs for presentation at Regional review meetings plus additional analysis as required.

External reporting and audit

liaising with external auditors and coordinating Finance teams to deliver a smooth audit process

coordinating the production and sign-off of stat accounts with support from FSSC (Financial Shared Services Centre) to meet Group deadlines

with support of group tax teams ensure business unit is compliant across all tax regimes

review quarterly UK VAT returns ensure all issues are addressed on a timely basis

ensure all overseas VAT compliance requirements are met including completion and submission of VAT returns or equivalent as required

Business partnering

Business partner to Regional Guarding and Strategic Accounts BUs and Operation teams, supporting core financial processes

Understanding of financial impact of annual PI programme (albeit this is for Ops to deliver and monitor through tracker/DOMO)

Finance SME on DOMO Contract and Site profitability programmes run through Ops Excellence team

Support Ops teams to deliver cash targets, improve collection of billed debt and reduce accrued income through provision of information and ‘friendly challenge

Team management

Lead the team of 11 Finance managers and contract accountants to deliver the above objectives

Drive process standardisation and efficiency across the sub BUs ensuring we are using SAP to its full potential

Full review of current activities to ensure correct prioritisation of core activities only

Control the level of business requests on Finance (with assistance of FD) to ensure the new leaner finance resource is focussed on financial control and core activities.

Personal characteristics:

Finance leader, with the vision and energy to make an impact quickly and the potential to progress to more senior Finance roles

Authoritative and resilient, able to hit the ground running whilst learning the underlying economic drivers of the various SSUKI businesses

Effectively develop relationships with stakeholders

Able to communicate clearly and concisely with all levels in the organisation including SSUKI and Regional leadership teams

Intellectually robust and able to manage competing priorities effectively

Experience:

Qualified accountant (ACA) with big accountancy firm background

6+ years PQE, including extensive Financial Accounting experience in a large, complex organisation

Proficiency with Financial Accounting and Reporting systems

Wide experience of delivering and improving month end close processes and the production of financial plans

Business partnering senior management

Multi-site, business to business experience preferred