Director, Financial Control and Corporate Reporting

The role

You will be a technically proficient accountant with Big 4 experience auditing public companies at Director or Senior Manager level. In this new role, heading up the Financial Control and Corporate & Regulatory Reporting teams (10, with 3 direct reports), you will be responsible for the quality of financial reporting. meeting the standard of excellence expected at GoCardless. With executive oversight, the delivery of key transformation projects will be executed, including the optimisation of financial controls. You will coach and develop the team responsible for accounting, month end close, as well as statutory and regulatory reporting. A major part of the role will be to manage group and standalone entity audits to ensure efficient execution. This is a high profile role providing an opportunity to shape the evolution of a critical function, continuing the development of a high performing team. As well as the rigour you will instil in the performance of core activities, you will be exposed to a wide variety of cross functional projects, collaborating with senior stakeholders across the business.  

What excites you 

• The timely and accurate month end reporting to GL level, providing effective oversight, ensuring effective monitoring and compliance with controls. 
• Leading audit engagements and the efficient and timely completion of the annual group audit. 
• Focused on excellence in the preparation and quality of the annual group consolidated accounts (prepared under IFRS), subsidiary statutory accounts and regulatory reporting to the FCA, ACPR and US state regulators. 
• Accountable to the boards of directors and to the Risk and Audit committee.
• Responsibility for financial reporting as required under financial service regulation applicable to payment service providers in multiple countries.
• The assessment, implementation and optimisation of financial reporting processes and controls.
• Leading and collaborating with your direct reports, coaching the skills to help them solve problems. Providing hands on support to the Financial Controller, and to the Corporate Reporting lead.
• Operational Finance and leading a function with a wide remit. Providing direction and oversight over accounts payable, expenses, processing payroll/ payroll taxes, VAT compliance, in addition to accounting processes.
• The ongoing development and execution of the strategic roadmap for Financial Control and Corporate & Regulatory Reporting.
• The management of relationships with internal service providers including the teams responsible for billing, collections and payroll, as well as third parties, including Netsuite (ERP) and Expensify.
• Contributing to projects and initiatives, frequently in a leadership role.
• Advising and enabling Product Development and multiple other disciplines, helping ensure compliance whilst enabling commercial activities. 

What excites us  

• Big 4 trained with experience in assurance at Director level, and having audited public companies, you will come direct from practice or with industry experience in a similar role.
• ACA qualified (or equivalent) with substantial PQE experience.
• Skills in implementing or auditing SOX (or equivalent) controls, or otherwise proficiency in their application. 
• A deep understanding of financial controls frameworks, and the know how to identify and address deficiencies and to optimise controls . 
• An expert in IFRS with proven skill in the development of accounting policy and in responding to technical accounting challenges. Knowledge of US GAAP is desirable.
• An exceptional project manager, proficient in the management of audit delivery.
• The proven ability to lead and develop a team including both qualified and part qualified accountants as well as other specialists, all at varying stages of their professional development.
• The commitment, desire and skill to execute changes to ways of working that improve the efficiency and reliability of financial reporting.
• Receptive and responsive to the requirement of the consumers of management information.
• An embracer of automation,  efficiency and simplification.
• Initiative, a strong sense of ownership, and the drive required to thrive in a fast paced, high growth business. 
• The ability to lead cross functional teams, and the gravitas to influence decisions at a senior level. Assertiveness when required but collaborative in approach. 
• A good understanding of the Payment Services Regulations is a distinct advantage.
• Knowledge of NetSuite or similar accounting packages.