[Hiring] Group Financial Reporting Manager @Activate Group Limited

Role Description

We're looking for an experienced Group Financial Reporting Manager to join our Group Finance department. The Group Financial Reporting Manager is responsible for the Group's monthly management accounts and annual statutory accounts, and leads on fraud prevention and financial compliance policies across Activate Group and its subsidiaries. The role works closely with the Director of Finance, the external auditors and the leadership of each business to deliver accurate, timely reporting and a strong control environment.

Activate Group is a growing UK business with 1,000+ team members nationwide. This is an exciting opportunity to build a long-term career with a company that values its people and offers genuine development and progression opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

• Management Accounts:
  • Prepare the monthly management accounts pack for the Group and review the packs provided for each entity, including the consolidated income statement, balance sheet and cash flow, with clear variance and KPI commentary.
  • Own the month end close process and the management accounts timetable, ensuring deadlines are met across all Group companies.
  • Review balance sheet reconciliations and manage intercompany reconciliations and eliminations on consolidation.
  • Report performance against budget and forecast, prepare the finance content of the monthly board pack and provide financial reports to stakeholders as needed.
  • Champion process improvement and efficiency in the finance function, identifying opportunities to use automation and intelligent tools to simplify reporting, reduce manual work and improve accuracy.
• Statutory Accounts and Audit:
  • Prepare the annual consolidated statutory accounts for the Group and the statutory accounts for each subsidiary under FRS 102, meeting all Companies House filing deadlines.
  • Review and refine the stats preparation process (currently in word).
  • Lead the year end audit as the main contact for the external auditors, managing the audit timetable and leading on key areas of audit focus and complex accounting matters.
  • Investigate and present a conclusion on technical matters, including one off queries, writing papers for the audit process and accounting papers throughout the year.
  • Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements, and keep stakeholders up to date on accounting policies and processes.
• Tax and Regulatory Filings:
  • Prepare and file VAT returns and other regulatory documents.
  • Stay updated with changes in tax laws and regulations.
  • Assist in tax planning and ensure timely compliance with tax obligations.
  • Work with the Groups tax advisors to prepare the group tax computations.
• Fraud, Governance and Compliance:
  • Own the Group's anti-fraud, anti-bribery and whistleblowing policies, reviewing them at least annually and maintaining a register of finance and compliance policies.
  • Lead the Group's fraud risk assessment and maintain reasonable prevention procedures under the failure to prevent fraud offence in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
  • Design, document and test key financial controls across the Group, reporting findings and agreed actions to the Director of Finance.
  • Coordinate fraud awareness training for team members and lead or support investigations into suspected fraud or control failures.
  • Monitor regulatory changes, including the Bribery Act 2010 and the Criminal Finances Act 2017, and update Group policies and processes accordingly.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with at least 4 years post-qualified experience
• Experience of working in an accountancy practice preferred
• Experience preparing consolidated statutory accounts under FRS 102 and monthly management accounts for a multi-entity group
• Strong understanding of financial regulations and accounting principles
• Proficiency in financial software and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Confidence to influence and challenge leaders across the Group
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
• High level of integrity and dependability with a strong sense of urgency and results-orientation

Desirable (but not essential)

• Experience of internal controls, risk management or fraud prevention frameworks

Benefits

• 33 days holiday, including bank holidays
• Personal health cash plan – claim back the cost of everyday healthcare such as dental and optical check-ups
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay
• Life assurance at three times your basic salary
• Free breakfasts and fresh fruit
• A birthday surprise for everyone