Interim Senior Financial Reporting Manager

We are pleased to be working exclusively with a leading educational organisation to recruit an Interim Senior Financial Reporting Manager on an initial 3-month contract to provide senior technical accounting and financial control support during a busy period. This is a hands-on role requiring a technically strong, audit-trained accountant with experience working within a complex organisation. Previous experience within Higher Education or a similarly regulated environment would be highly advantageous. The role: You will take responsibility for a range of financial reporting, control and compliance activities, including:

• Producing the monthly accounting control pack, ensuring reconciliations are completed accurately, and issues are investigated and resolved promptly.
• Supporting the review and improvement of the internal financial control environment, identifying risks and appropriate mitigating actions.
• Providing technical accounting support, including researching and advising on complex accounting queries.
• Leading and supporting key finance projects, including external audit activity.
• Managing relationships with external advisers and suppliers, including auditors and tax advisers.
• Supporting UK VAT, including partial exemption, and Corporation Tax compliance.
• Reviewing monthly payroll across UK and international operations.
• Supporting the review of monthly management accounts and quarterly VAT returns for an overseas entity, ensuring transactions are correctly reflected within the finance system.
• Supporting forecasting and month-end reporting for central Finance cost centres, including producing monthly reports and initial commentary for senior finance leadership.
• Preparing ad hoc financial reporting and supporting wider Finance projects as required. About you: We are looking for someone who can quickly get up to speed and operate confidently in a senior, technically focused finance environment. You will ideally have:
• An ICAEW qualification with an audit-trained background.
• Strong technical knowledge of FRS 102.
• Knowledge of the FE/HE SORP and Office for Students (OfS) reporting requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of UK VAT, including partial exemption, and Corporation Tax compliance.
• Experience leading financial projects, particularly year-end and external audit.
• Experience managing external auditors, tax advisers and other professional service providers.
• Strong financial controls, reconciliations and month-end experience.
• The ability to research and resolve technical accounting issues independently.
• Experience working within a complex, multi-entity environment would be beneficial. This would suit an experienced Financial Reporting Manager, Financial Accounting Manager, Senior Financial Accountant, or technically focused Financial Controller who is comfortable stepping into an interim assignment and delivering from day one. For a confidential conversation about the role, please get in touch with Megan Hunter.