Senior Finance Manager - Technical & Subsidiaries

We have disrupted the way people travel since we started 25 years ago, and we don’t intend on stopping. We may be facing the biggest challenge in our history, but we are confident that throughout the pandemic we have taken the right action to build back stronger and better by –

• Maintaining significant liquidity of 2.9 billion and an investment-grade balance sheet, having raised more than 5.5 billion during the pandemic
• Our schedule remains focused on positive contribution flying
• We continue to deliver on our major restructuring and cost reduction programme, which will support improved margins and reduce seasonality for the future. (We are expecting the programme to deliver around £500 million in savings in 2021 with almost half of that being sustainable)

We want you to play a part in this and #belongherewithus.

TEAM

The SFM Technical & Subsidiary Accountant is an integral member of the Group financial management team, reporting into the Group Financial Controller, who is responsible for ensuring a robust month end processes, plus accuracy of all internal and external financial reporting including Airline Management Board (AMB), PLC Board, key performance indicators, half and full year external audits and annual report and statutory accounts.

JOB PURPOSE

This role exists to ensure easyJet’s accounting and external financial reporting are technically compliant, accurate and of a reasonable standard compared with peer group (FTSE100), and that the easyJet Board and senior management have appropriate understanding of the technical accounting environment relevant to the business.  In addition, this role provides complete end to end financial management for easyJet’s subsidiaries including business partnering, financial planning, accounting, controls, management, and statutory reporting.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES

Technical:

• Manage the implementation of new accounting standards, including detailed understanding, impact analysis, implementation process, disclosure preparation and communication with Board and Senior Management.
• Prepare and present reports to the Audit Committee and senior management on technical matters.
• Active involvement in new projects/business change to ensure that accounting implications are fully understood.
• Lead the asset impairment review process and annual review of residual values and useful economic lives
• Be the first point of contact for accounting technical questions from across the business
• Assist in the preparation of technical areas of the Annual Report (e.g. change in accounting policies) and review the whole Annual Report for technical compliance, best practice disclosure and accuracy.
• Review easyJet’s other statutory financial statements for compliance with local GAAP and legal regulations.
• Oversee production and maintenance of the group accounting manual, taking responsibility for drafting of complex areas.
• Keep up to date with technical advancements and assess the impact on easyJet.
• Work alongside third-party providers to arrange quarterly technical briefings to develop the wider finance team’s technical skills.
• Work collaboratively with the wider Financial Control team to ensure successful delivery of the team’s objectives.
• Build constructive relationships both internally, specifically to include tax and treasury, and externally, with easyJet’s external auditors and other accountancy firms.

Subsidiaries:

• Provides a true Business Partner framework to the subsidiaries ensuring that the business owners located outside easyJet head office are always supported with the right insight and information.
• Production of legal entity budgets including integration with Group-wide budget
• Responsibility for all control and accounting activities for the subsidiaries including the timely production and review of all balance sheet reconciliations and journals in accordance with easyJet accounting policies
• Production of month end reporting packs and consolidated insight for Accountable Managers of each entity
• Produce and present finance updates to quarterly Board meetings for subsidiary AOC’s
• Oversees and governs all intercompany relationships within the Group and ensures they comply with transfer pricing arrangements
• Completion of all regulatory requirements and reporting across multiple jurisdictions, plus provide financial support to management at external meetings (advisors and/or regulators) as required
• Own the Swiss benefit pension scheme process
• Ensuring the RACM matrix is updated and all evidence of controls is provided on a timely basis
• Manage the audit process for subsidiaries entities, plus the business relationship and oversight of the third-party accounting service providers across European territories as required
• Produce and oversee signing process of statutory financial statements
• Leading and developing a team of three financial professionals (including two direct reports), plus ensuring the right level of people capability, talent, and succession planning to deliver for current and future business requirements

Requirements of the Role

COMPETENCIES

In line with the Competency framework for job family level HMP1 which covers:

• People (Growing Talent)
• Investors (Business Acumen)
• Safety
• Operational Excellence (Deliver Results)
• Integrity (Communication)
• Pioneering (Entrepreneurial)
• Passionate
• Teamwork
• Customer Focus

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED

• Professional Qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA), with relevant post qualification experience.
• Recent deep technical experience critical, with exposure to SOX compliance beneficial
• Balances strong accounting technical knowledge with commercial awareness (IFRS 16 knowledge advantageous)
• Effective communication skills (written and oral) including ability to simplify and present complex technical issues up to Board level
• Ability to find problems, formulate solutions and drive change.  Creating an environment for continuous improvement across the team.
• Proven experience in a business partner environment, in a same or similar EMEA or global organisation with multiple business units and diverse workforce
• Proven ability-based experience in talent management, organisational design, learning and development and resourcing.
• Proven leadership experience with ability to motivate and inspire colleagues across the financial function
• Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with people at all levels both within and outside the business.
• A true self- starter (and finisher), with high levels of motivation and enthusiasm to manage own time and other to deliver to deadlines
• Aviation experience beneficial but not essential.
• Knowledge of European language desirable but not essential

BENEFITS

• Competitive base salary
• 25 days holiday
• BAYE, SAYE & Performance share schemes
• 7% pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible benefits package
• Excellent staff travel benefits

LOCATION & HOURS OF WORK

We know that flexibility, balance and wellbeing are more important than ever right now. Whether that’s working remotely, part time, or needing extra support when times are tough.

This full-time role will be based in Luton (Hybrid/remote working options available) and will be 40 hours per week. Remember, we are always #happytotalkflex.

WARM WELCOME FOR EVERYONE

Different perspectives and experiences add value to the way we do business. Giving a ‘warm welcome for everyone’ is at the heart of what we do every day regardless of gender identity and expression, race, disability, age, sexual and/ or romantic orientation, religion and nationality; because it’s clear to us that our people set us apart.

We’re proud to have been named as Britain’s Most Admired Company of 2020 in the transport sector, retaining the leading position for a second year running.

We support. We empower. We excite. And we do it our way. We’re uniquely different. We’re easyJet.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website via the apply button below.