Interim Head of External Reporting (London)

The role is also open to applications for our Glasgow office location, please see other advert.

SThree are pleased to announce we’re recruiting for a talented Interim Head of External Reporting to join & guide our excellent team based in our fantastic office space located in 8 Bishopsgate, London. This role is a Fixed Term Contract.

Reporting to the Global Finance Director, we are seeking an immediately available, experienced and technically strong Interim Head of External Reporting to lead our statutory reporting function during a critical period. This role will oversee a team of two financial accountants and be responsible for the delivery of high-quality group and subsidiary statutory accounts, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements

About us

SThree is the global STEM-specialist talent partner that connects sought-after specialists in life sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics with innovative organisations across the world. We are the number one destination for talent in the best STEM markets: Recruiting highly skilled professionals and discovering life-changing jobs for the unsung heroes who will positively shape our future.

What are the day-to-day tasks?

• Oversee monthly and year-end group consolidation processes, ensuring integrity and accuracy of consolidated financial data.
• Own the preparation and delivery of group and subsidiary statutory financial statements, ensuring timely and accurate reporting in accordance with IFRS and local GAAPs.
• Lead the audit process for all statutory reporting aspects of the annual audit, acting as primary point of contact for the external auditors with relation to the annual report, disclosures and subsidiary accounts.
• Lead the end-to-end project management of the annual report, coordinating inputs across finance, legal, strategy, investor relations and external design and copy-writing teams.
• Provide internal expertise (advice, accounting papers etc.) on complex accounting matters including new standards, share-based payments and other complex reward structures.
• Draft Audit Committee papers, including documentation of key accounting judgements and technical positions.
• Lead the assessment and documentation of impairment reviews, ensuring alignment with business forecasts and compliance with accounting standards.
• Act as key SME for consolidation tool replacement, providing input on design, configuration and implementation
• Provide technical accounting input and support for other ad hoc finance and business projects.
• Manage and mentor two financial accountants, fostering a high-performance culture and supporting professional development.

What skills and knowledge are we looking for?

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience
• Deep technical accounting knowledge, particularly IFRS
• Proven track record in external reporting and statutory accounts preparation in a complex listed group environment.
• Experience managing audit processes and liaising with external auditors
• Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience conducting impairment reviews and drafting Audit Committee papers
• Familiarity with share-based payment schemes and complex reward structures highly desirable
• Involvement in finance systems upgrades or consolidation tool implementations highly desirable

Benefits for our U.K. teams include:

• The choice to work flexibly from home and the office, in line with our hybrid working principles
• Generous 28 days holiday allowance, plus public holidays
• Annual leave purchase scheme
• Five days paid Caregiver/Dependant leave per annum
• Five paid days off per year for volunteering `
• Private healthcare, discounted dental insurance and health care cashback scheme
• Opportunity to participate in the company share scheme
• Access to a range of retail discounts and saving

What we stand for...

We’re committed to ensuring for our colleagues, candidates and communities, that all processes are equitable, and everyone is treated with fairness and dignity where everyone belongs, is valued and is connected. If you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments in submitting your application, please let us know, and we’ll be happy to help.