Financial Controller - International and New Business

Job Description

This is a fantastic opportunity for a passionate and ambitious finance professional to join the Finance department as the Group Financial Controller for International and New Business at Next plc.

Through this role you will gain exposure to many areas of the business and work proactively to support new initiatives including expansion into new international territories and the accounting and reporting for newly acquired companies.

About the role

Based out of our Leicester Head Office and managing a team of 5 staff your primary responsibilities are ensuring that our accounting and financial reporting for our new businesses, both overseas and those newly acquired, are accurate, consistent with our Group reporting requirements and supported by appropriate financial controls.

You will:

• Oversee the accounting and reporting for our international businesses in Germany, USA, Middle East and India. This will include the preparation of monthly management accounts, cash forecasts and budgets for consideration by the Main Board in making effective business decisions and strategic planning for the future. In addition, preparation of reports for, and attendance at, all Audit Committees will be required.
• Oversee the integration of new business into the NEXT Group from both an accounting and financial reporting perspective. This will include the implementation of Group accounting policies for the newly acquired businesses and integrating them into our group reporting timelines. Working with the acquired entities you will also lead work on the acquisition balance sheets including the accounting for any management incentive schemes, brand valuations and provisions.
• Working with the Group Financial Controller for the Brand business you will oversee the production of half-yearly and annual financial accounts consolidations and prepare a substantial part of the Annual Report and Accounts for external publication, together with related information, in order to maintain the optimum professional profile of the Group.
• In conjunction with group finance colleagues, ensure that the Group complies with relevant corporate governance standards.
• Assist the Group Finance Director and Central Finance Director in evaluating and carrying out strategic directives of the Main Board, in the form of ad-hoc projects, which may include business development projects, acquisitions and disposals.
• Work with colleagues across the business to help maintain and develop the financial control environment and ensure integrity of the financial reporting process.
• In conjunction with the Central Finance Director, deal with external advisors (e.g. auditors, lawyers, bankers and actuaries) and satisfactorily resolve any audit issues that may arise.
• Ensure that statutory accounting requirements are complied with throughout the Group, especially in respect of preparation and audit of subsidiary statutory accounts.
• Act as accounting lead for the Group team as part of the Finance modernisation project. This project team is responsible for the implementation of a new Finance accounting and reporting system across the Group. As lead contact from the Group team you will be responsible for ensuring that the statutory reporting requirements are correctly understood and built into the new finance system.

About you

• The jobholder needs to be a qualified accountant, most likely Chartered or Certified, with a very strong technical accounting knowledge base (IFRS) and financial accounting skills.
• Previous experience with professional advisers is desirable, e.g. auditors, lawyers, bankers and financial institutions.
• Good communication skills are essential to the role, particularly in dealings with Main Board and finance colleagues, as well as external parties. Negotiation skills are advantageous for work in the corporate finance area, particularly with external advisers. In addition, persuasiveness may be required in dealing with both colleagues and external auditors.
• Report writing and presentation skills are a prerequisite in order to achieve the necessary quality in written communications, both internal and external.
• The jobholder must be able to demonstrate a pragmatic approach to solving problems.
• Technical training is required to keep up to date with accounting and relevant legal and regulatory developments, and should be combined with general business training in order to enhance commercial awareness.

About Us

You know Next, but did you know we’re a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We’re the UK’s 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we’re the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it’s now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we’ve gone global!

About some of our Benefits

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.

For further information, and to apply, please visit our website via the “Apply” button below.