About Us
e.surv Chartered Surveyors and Walker Fraser Steele are the UK's leading residential surveying brands, delivering property risk expertise and residential surveying services for over 35 years. Trusted by high street mortgage lenders, building societies, national landlords, and equity release brands, we complete a property inspection every 12 seconds across the UK and Northern Ireland.
Role Purpose
In this influential role, you will be responsible for delivering technical compliance and best practice in financial accounting and finance operations. You will provide specialist technical advice, ensure all statutory requirements are met, and lead internal and external audit relationships. Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will build on an existing strong team, driving continuous improvement and meeting the needs of a dynamic and growing business.
Key Deliverables
- Internal Control: Ensure adherence to exemplary internal control environments, identifying areas for improvement and implementing measures. Lead the internal and external audit relationships, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Delegation of Authority: Manage and operationalise an appropriate Delegation of Authority Matrix, including spend approvals and decision rights.
- Period End Close: Ensure accurate, timely, and complete period end close (P&L, BS, and CF). Conduct substantive reviews for Esurv and Asset Management.
- Technical Compliance: Oversee technical compliance, reviewing business processes and trading operations for appropriate technical treatment. Collaborate with Group finance and audit teams on changes and judgemental accounting decisions.
- Performance Reporting: Consolidate and report actual performance for different business units, communicating overall performance to senior management and LSL Group teams.
- Balance Sheet Control: Conduct quarterly reviews of high-risk balance sheet accounts to ensure accurate reflection of the business's financial position.
- Banking and Cashflows: Manage bank accounts and relationships in partnership with the Finance Director. Oversee cashflows and working capital management.
- Statutory Accounts: Lead the team in delivering statutory accounts and associated Board and Committee reporting in line with regulatory requirements.
- Finance Operations: Manage Finance operations teams (sales, credit, and purchase ledgers), supporting their needs and ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- Financial Systems: Ensure well-documented financial systems and processes, identifying areas for improvement and automation. Work with the Head of Finance Change and Systems on transformations.
- Tax Management: Oversee all aspects of taxation, including corporation tax and VAT.
- Templeton/Asset Management: Oversee accounting processes, period end close, and control mechanisms for the Templeton/Asset Management business unit.
- Professional Indemnity: Understand professional indemnity risk and provisioning methodology, working with relevant teams to mitigate risks and ensure adequate reserves and insurance.
- Procurement and Fleet: Manage the Procurement and Fleet teams, driving efficiencies and cost savings through strategic procurement decisions. Support the company's carbon emission targets.
- Team Leadership: Demonstrate exemplary behaviours, focusing on operating profit and cash generation. Continuously review team structure and responsibilities to meet business needs and provide cross-training.
- Deputise for the Finance Director: Step in for the Finance Director when necessary.
- Ad Hoc Projects: Undertake ad hoc investigations and projects as requested by the Finance Director, Managing Director, and senior management team.
Person Specification
- Qualifications: Technically strong, qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA) with significant recent experience in commercial financial control and reporting roles. Desirable external audit experience.
- Communication: Creator of strong collaborative relationships across functional boundaries. Able to report, communicate, and influence effectively at all levels.
- Leadership: Natural leader with a strong team ethic, driving a high-performing culture and continuous improvement.
- Analytical Skills: Able to analyse complex problems, make financial judgements, and develop policies impacting the whole organisation.
- Commercial Mindset: Strong commercial and control-focused mindset with high levels of personal resilience.
- Technical Skills: Experienced with ERP systems, particularly SunSystems ERP. Proficient in Microsoft Office tools.
- Organisation: Highly organised and proactive, able to manage a complex workload with conflicting deadlines.
What We Offer
- Market-leading salary and benefits package
- 27 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Private healthcare
- Death in Service
- Outstanding employee assistance programme
- BAYE and SAYE options
- Cycle to Work Scheme
Apply
If you feel you match our requirements and are looking for your next career chapter, or for a confidential discussion on the full details of this role please contact Matthew Siddons; alternatively apply with your CV and covering letter for a quick response.
We're part of the LSL Property Services Group PLC, which includes household names Your Move and Reeds Rains as well as the mortgage network PRIMIS. LSL Property Services are dedicated to protecting your data - our Recruitment Private notice can be viewed HERE.
PRE EMPLOYMENT SCREENING - All of our employees have to pass a Criminal Records Disclosure and Credit Referencing Process in order to work with our lender clients, if you are unsure on this, ask the team and we'll be happy to explain the process.