A quick look at the role
The Head of External Reporting is responsible for managing a team to produce Group consolidated and statutory accounts for approximately 70 entities. Additional areas of focus are the entity rationalisation project, the financial reporting system transformation project (transitioning to Microsoft D365), leading on acquisition accounting and providing the wider business with technical accounting expertise.
Your core responsibilities
- Manage the external reporting team (3x qualified accountants) to fulfil the responsibilities below.
- Lead the Group financial reporting process at year end, from consolidation through to producing the Annual Report.
- Produce statutory accounts for all legal entities in the Group.
- Primary point of contact for auditors throughout the year. This involves taking the lead on discussions of judgmental areas, thorough audit planning and ensuring auditors meet their deliverables on time.
- Ensure that the Group's financial reporting complies with IFRS and statutory disclosure requirements. Where guidance changes, lead the implementation of these changes.
- Provide support to finance personnel across the business in the more technical areas. This involves contributing to month-end and forecast numbers relating to joint ventures, share-based payments, leases, pensions, derivatives and service concession arrangements.
- Produce and review technical accounting papers and financial models relating to key judgemental areas. Some of these papers will be presented to the Board/Audit Committee.
- Lead the Group-wide entity rationalisation project. This project aims to significantly reduce the total number of legal entities in the Group.
- Assist with the design and implementation of the new financial reporting system using experience gained at other businesses.
- Technical lead on the accounting and subsequent integration of acquisitions.
- Work alongside the Treasury team to complete covenant compliance submissions.
- Encourage a culture of best practice with regards to financial controls and processes throughout the business.
Our essential requirements
- Qualified accountant (ACA or ACCA)
- Experience managing an audit process either at a professional services firm (e.g. Big 4) or in a corporate
- Strong understanding of IFRS and statutory reporting requirements
- Experience managing a small team
Biffa - we're changing the way people think about waste
At Biffa, we love working with waste. Whether we're turning it into sustainable power, finding new ways to recycle it or simply keeping it off the streets, we believe every day is an opportunity to improve the lives of millions. It's a view that's shared by our 11,000+ people around the country, who trust us to provide them with a career that's always rewarding, often challenging, but never dull.
We believe different ideas, perspective and backgrounds are key to developing a creative and effective working environment which is why you'll find us championing diversity and equality at every turn.