Financial Controller

<div class="content-intro"><p><strong>Who we are</strong></p> <p></p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Since 1843, The Economist Group has championed independence, excellence and openness, helping people understand and tackle the critical challenges shaping the world. Today, we are building on that legacy as a global media and information-services company powered by digital innovation, analytical rigour and evidence-based insight.</p> <p class="isSelectedEnd">Across our three businesses -<em>The Economist, Economist Enterprise and Economist Education</em> - we deliver trusted analysis and insights to individuals and organisations in more than 170 countries. United by a shared purpose to drive progress, we empower decision-makers to make sense of change and chart a course through an increasingly complex world.</p> <p>As a colleague, you will be part of a culture that values ideas, encourages ownership and holds itself to high standards. We invest in people who are curious, thoughtful and adaptable, whether they are launching new products, reporting on global events or harnessing emerging technologies such as AI to improve how we work. Here, fresh thinking is taken seriously, ambition is matched by integrity, and great work is recognised. Working across disciplines, geographies and perspectives, we are united by a commitment to innovation, excellence and creating meaningful impact.</p> <p></p></div><p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Finance team’s vision is to partner with the Group in driving profitable growth, through finance excellence. We support our businesses to make effective commercial and operational decisions; provide information and analysis to management and the Board to support strategic decisions; manage working capital to quickly convert profit into cash; develop and maintain a strong control environment to comply with legal, statutory and tax legislation in all territories we operate in.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">With over 100 Finance professionals operating from offices in London, New York, Hong Kong &amp; Gurugram, this role works with finance and business colleagues from around the globe to deliver the Finance vision.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Finance Team:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">be part of our Finance team reshaping our processes and the technology we use</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">work closely with finance and business colleagues from around the globe</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">ability to influence in an organisation of 1,600 people</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This is a Senior Management role with responsibilities covering:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Financial reporting, accounting and audit</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Group risk and compliance</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Treasury</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The position reports into the Director of Group Finance and will form a close working partnership with the Shared Services finance team based in India.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Key Accountabilities:</strong></span></h2> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Financial accounting, reporting and audit</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Support our India reporting leadership teams with best practice, process improvement and accounting manual maintenance and be UK point of contact for stakeholders in these processes along with:</span></li> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Review of the Group and subsidiary financial and reporting processes</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Support of Group and subsidiary external audits.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Review and input on Group Annual and Interim Reports and subsidiary statutory accounts</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Assessing the impact of new accounting standards on the business and working with Shared Services to implement changes to accounting practices, reporting and restatement of results.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Providing accounting technical advice in relation to complex or unusual transactions.</span></li> </ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Monitoring the performance of the Shared Service function and broader finance functions in particular with regard to compliance with group accounting policy and guidelines</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Group restructuring, legal entity simplification and distributable reserves planning.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Oversight of APAC region accounting and filing delivery</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Risk and compliance</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Overseeing the planning and coordination of the Group’s risk review process and tracking progress.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulations impacting on the finance function, through implementation and adherence to internal policies. Investigate irregularities, instances of fraud and non-compliance issues.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Overseeing the compliance onboarding of vendors and customers in the business.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Co-ordinating the work of the outsourced internal audit function.</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Managing the Group insurance programme stakeholders.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Treasury</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Proactively managing group and regional liquidity needs while maximising facility usage and deposit returns</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Robust cashflow process to anticipate financing needs and understand deviations from expectations</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Proactively managing foreign exchange exposures</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Reporting to regular Treasury and Audit &amp; Risk Committees</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Overseeing the management of banking relationships</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Overseeing a robust banking and treasury control environment ensuring strong internal and anti-fraud controls are maintained in line with policies and procedures</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Partnering with the business to ensure Group Finance objectives are met with regard to managing Economist subscriber payments</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Delivery of process and system improvements to drive efficiencies around treasury activities&nbsp;</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Other</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Experience in delivering systems and process change, preferably an ERP transformation</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Supporting on delivery of finance improvement projects in systems and processes</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Senior leader in team driving best practice cross team collaboration and initiatives</span></li> </ul> <h2><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Experience, skills and professional attributes</strong></span></h2> <h2><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Education and training</strong></span></h2> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;">- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Previous work experience and knowledge</strong>&nbsp;</span></li> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Preparation of Annual Reports to shareholders and statutory accounts</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Strong technical accounting knowledge</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Managing accounting functions including qualified accountant]</span></li> </ul> <li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Knowledge of laws and regulations relevant to companies and finance functions</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Audit coordination</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Treasury knowledge</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Knowledge of internal financial control frameworks</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Business risks and insurance</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Technology</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">ERP knowledge, Peoplesoft (an advantage)</span></li> <li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Strong excel</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Languages</strong></span></p> <ul> <li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">English</span></li> <li><strong>Key skills</strong>&nbsp;</li> <li>Analytical approach to problem solving&nbsp;</li> <li>Managing teams</li> <li>Attention to detail</li> <li>Development of processes</li> <li>Communication</li> <li>Delivering change and continuous improvement</li> <li>Developing relationships with internal and external contacts</li> </ul> <p><br><strong>Personal attributes</strong></p> <ul> <li>Commitment to quality and timely service delivery</li> <li>Hands-on approach</li> <li>Ability to multi-task and prioritize</li> <li>Pro-activity and responsiveness</li> <li>Consultative</li> <li>Making appropriate judgments</li> <li>Ability to provide well-presented information and insightful analysis of information</li> </ul> <p><br><strong>Interpersonal skills</strong></p> <ul> <li>Clear communicator of views and opinions</li> <li>Ability to build networks and work with stakeholders and in teams</li> <li>Sensitivity in providing views&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Assertion</li> <li>Clear communicator of views and opinions</li> </ul> <p><strong>Performance Measures:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ability to deliver financial reports on time with no surprises</li> <li>Ability to manage liquidity requirements and minimise foreign exchange volatility</li> <li>Clarity of instructions issued and reports delivered</li> <li>Compliance environment understood, strengthened, and number of compliance issues decreased</li> <li>Cleanliness of internal and external audit reports&nbsp;</li> <li>Efficiency of Group structure in place</li> <li>Good relationships across the business and with the Shared Services team</li> </ul> <p><span style="color: rgb(236, 240, 241);">#LI-Hybrid</span></p><div class="content-conclusion"><hr> <p><strong>Working Arrangements</strong></p> <p>The majority of our roles operate on a hybrid working pattern, with 3+ days office attendance required.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>AI usage for your application</strong></p> <p>We are an innovative organisation that encourages the use of technology. We recognise that candidates may utilise AI tools to support with their job application process. However, it is essential that all information you provide truthfully and accurately reflects your own experience, skills, and qualifications.</p> <hr> <p><strong>What we offer</strong></p> <p>Our benefits package is designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance. It includes a highly competitive pension or 401(k) plan, private health insurance, and 24/7 access to counselling and wellbeing resources through our Employee Assistance Program.</p> <p>We also offer a range of lifestyle benefits, including our <em>Work From Anywhere</em> program, which allows you to work from any location where you have the legal right to do so for up to 25 days per year. In addition, we provide generous annual and parental leave, as well as dedicated days off for volunteering and even for moving home.</p> <p>You will also be given free access to all <em>The Economist</em> content, including an online subscription, our range of apps, podcasts and more.</p></div>