Pensions Financial Controller

Recruiter
Marks Sattin FS
Location
United Kingdom
Salary
Competitive
Posted
11 Jan 2021
Closes
24 Jan 2021
Ref
3644M
Job role
Accountant
Sector
Accounting - Public practice
Experience level
Qualified accountant
Job Description:

Summary

The M&S Pension Scheme is a Defined Benefit pension scheme with 110,000 members, assets of c. £11bn. It was and was closed to future accrual in April 2017 and was 107% funded at the last triennial actuarial valuation in 2018.

We are now looking for a Pensions Financial Controller to join the Trustee Executive Team (led by the Head of M&S Pension Trust), where you will be providing executive support to the Trustee and managing the M&S Pension Scheme on a day-to-day basis. You will also have some responsibilities to support M&S for the group's IAS19 accounting and reporting.

Ideally, we are looking for a qualified accountant with previous experience working within Pensions or Financial Services. This role incorporates a wide range of responsibilities, so would suit someone who enjoys a lot of variety within their role.

About the Role

Your key responsibilities will include:
  • Providing financial and regulatory reporting to the Trustee of the M&S Pension Scheme and other stakeholders and external parties
  • Establishing and maintaining systems of Financial Control for the Scheme
  • Budgeting, Forecasting and Reporting of Scheme costs to the Trustee and other stakeholders
  • Procuring tax advice to the Trustee in respect of the Scheme and its investment arrangements, ensuring compliance with VAT and overseas tax regulations and reporting
  • Managing the agenda and activities of the Finance Audit & Risk Committee of the Trustee
  • Undertaking regular reviews of the internal controls of the Scheme and commissioning and directing Internal Audit reviews
  • Managing the annual external audit of the Scheme
  • Overseeing the invoice payments, cash transfer and management processes
  • Monitoring the performance of external suppliers
  • Developing and ensuring compliance with the Trustee's compliance framework and processes.
  • Providing technical accounting and tax support to the Trustee
  • Contributing to the overall objectives and responsibilities of the Trustee Executive Team and undertake project activity as required

About you

Your skills and experience will include:
  • Planning and organisation skills to deliver high standards on time and at pace
  • Making decisions based on a well thought out analysis of complex information and risks
  • Manging ambiguity and uncertainty
  • Adapting influencing style to achieve a win-win outcome that maintains successful relationships
  • Actively aligns self and others to the Trustee's plan and priorities
  • Reviews the impact of changes and recommends future solutions
  • A qualified accountant
  • Previous background and experience in Pensions or Financial Services
  • Knowledge of current UK pensions accounting and reporting and taxation arrangements and a desire to develop technical knowledge and skills
  • Understanding of Trustee governance and experience of working effectively in a small high performance team environment with high levels of responsibility and accountability
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Confidence to operate at senior level, including presenting to Trustee Board and working with senior stakeholders within M&S and externally
  • Demonstrating previous success in managing multiple projects
  • Significant competency in Excel and experience with MS-Teams would be desirable

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