Compensation Accountant - Contract

Company Overview

As a global investment manager, we help institutions, intermediaries and individuals across the planet meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future. But as the world changes, so do our clients' needs. That's why we have a long history of adapting to suit the times and keeping our focus on what matters most to our clients.

Doing this takes experience and expertise. We bring together people and data to spot the trends that will shape the future. This provides a unique perspective which allows us to always invest with conviction. As at 31 March 2017 we are responsible for £416.3 billion (€486.7 billion/$520.6 billion) of assets for our clients who trust us to deliver sustainable returns. We remain determined to build future prosperity for them, and for all of society. Today, we have 4,100 people across six continents who focus on doing just this.

We are a global business that's managed locally. This allows us to always keep our clients' needs at the heart of everything we do. For over two centuries and more than seven generations we've grown and developed our expertise in tandem with our clients' needs and interests.

Role Overview

The Compensation Accounting team provides accounting services globally for the Group's compensation related costs including the accounting, monitoring and reporting of most staff cost related items. In particular, the team focus on variable compensation in the form of bonuses, including the complex accounting of deferred awards. The team works closely with most Finance and Human Resources departments globally to ensure compensation costs are properly recorded within both the internal and external accounts.

The role provides broad exposure to a variety of compensation accounting processes and therefore requires a candidate who is able to work flexibly. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing an efficient, well controlled process, which minimises manual intervention for all aspects of Compensation Accounting. The current team comprises three team members.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will take responsibility in conjunction with the other members of the Compensation Accounting Team for:

* Monthly processes undertaken by the team including bonus provisions, redundancy accruals, commitment accruals, review of payroll payments , compensation cost review and total compensation ratio calculation
* Accounting for various share and fund award schemes (ECP, EIP, LTIP & SIP), monitoring hedging and production of quarterly Equity and Fund Position Report
* Maintaining the integrity of data within the Group general ledger systems via the monthly balance sheet reconciliation process
* Delivering the annual bonus provisioning process and bonus reconciliations for all employing entities
* Calculating various non standard incentive compensation arrangements (including US Sales Related Pay and other country / team schemes)
* Providing information on deferred awards to the Group Financial Reporting and Tax teams. Own shares reconciliation produced quarterly
* Assisting in the production of the Remuneration Report and relevant notes (Directors Emoluments, Share based payments & Related party transactions) within the Annual Report & Accounts
* Preparing the Director's Emoluments notes for the UK statutory accounts and Directors Representation forms for all UK Company Directors
* Supporting the annual Budget process
* Supporting the Group Reporting and Financial Control & Analysis teams in respect of compensation
* Responding to adhoc queries from Senior Management (primarily the CFO) in a timely manner
* Providing input and advice, from an accounting perspective, on new compensation developments being presented to the Remuneration Committee
* Identifying and implementing ways in which the numerous processes can be streamlined to minimise manual intervention
* Ensuring risk management via maintenance of documented procedures

Person Profile

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with a strong background in accounting who will be able to:

* Demonstrate being highly detail orientated and have the ability to work under own initiative
* Handle highly confidential information
* Command respect and influence across the business by developing close and effective working relationships both within finance and across other areas of the business
* Identify controls weaknesses within the risk management framework and implement improvements;
* Demonstrate very strong written and verbal communication skills.

Experience and Skills

* Systems literacy, particularly of Excel, is essential
* Use of Oracle, HFM, PBCS and Anaplan an advantage

Education and Qualifications

* Qualified accountant with a strong academic background

Schroders is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications regardless of sex, marital status, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religious belief or age.