Senior Finance Manager - Group Reporting - 10 Month Fixed Term Contract

Summary

Marks & Spencer is one of the UK’s most iconic retailers, serving over 32 million customers with exceptional quality, value, service, and innovation. With 1,486 stores and a thriving online presence across the UK and internationally, we operate as a family of businesses spanning Food, Fashion, Home & Beauty. Our 63,000 colleagues are united by a shared vision: to be the most trusted retailer, doing the right thing for our customers and putting quality at the heart of everything we do.

As part of our “Reshaping M&S for Growth” strategy, we’re modernising our business while protecting the magic that makes M&S special. Now is an exciting time to join us — we’re at the beginning of a new chapter.

We’re looking for a Senior Finance Manager to join our Group Reporting team on a 10-month fixed-term contract. The Group Reporting team is at the heart of M&S Finance and responsible for the delivery of timely, accurate and relevant financial information to the ExCo, Audit Committee, Board and to our shareholders.

This role provides key support to the Group Financial Controller and Head of Finance Group Reporting acting as a primary contact for the business unit commercial finance teams on technical accounting and reporting matters, as well as playing a key part in driving and supporting the wider team during the preparation of the annual, interim and monthly Group results.

To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.

What you’ll do

Your key accountabilities will include

• Responsibility for certain Group level key accounting judgements and matters (e.g., impairment reviews (assets & goodwill), adjusting items, segmental information, share schemes, pensions, IFRS 16)
• Keeping up to date with changes in accounting policies and wider regulatory changes, assessing the impact for M&S and play an active role in developing the plan to respond to these e.g., organisation training, adopting new processes, and where applicable, new systems.
• Support preparation of Group financial statements, monthly management reporting, as well as preparation of key complex accounting papers and Audit Committee materials
• Set guidance for external and internal policies to ensure the group is compliant with all current accounting standards (IFRS), listing rules (UK LSE) and all other relevant regulatory requirements.
• Key stakeholder and lead group finance representative on project teams (recent projects include: Store estate programme property accounting, acquisition accounting for the Group’s purchase of GIST, the consolidation of Ocado Retail Limited, M&S Bank transformation, corporate structure simplification)
• Supporting the Group Financial Controller or Head of Group Reporting by taking the lead in providing pragmatic technical accounting advice across the Group to support the Group’s strategic programmes, corporate transactions (property transactions, joint ventures) and new business initiatives

Who you are

Your skills and experience will include

• Chartered accountant (ACA/ACCA) with at least 7 years post-qualification experience at Senior Manager level
• Strong background in technical accounting and applying this within the commercial world such as accounting for large or unusual transactions/acquisitions (examples in the last few years; acquisition of GIST, joint venture with Ocado and purchase of Jaeger brand)
• Strong IFRS knowledge and experience in FTSE-listed consolidations
• Proven ability to simplify complex accounting issues and influence stakeholders
• Experience in retail finance or external audit highly desirable
• Familiarity with non-financial reporting (TCFD, CSRD, S1 & S2) is a plus

What’s in it for you

Being a part of M&S is exactly that – playing your part to bring the magic of M&S to our customers every day. We’re an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and ever evolving business built on doing the right thing and bringing exceptional quality, value, service to every customer, whenever, wherever and however they want to shop with us.

Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for M&S just that little bit more special…

• After completing your probationary period, you’ll receive 20% colleague discount across all M&S products and many of our third-party brands for you and a member of your household.
• Competitive holiday entitlement with the potential to buy extra holiday days!
• Discretionary bonus schemes awarded based on how you achieve your personal objectives and our performance as a business.
• A generous Defined Contribution Pension Scheme and Life Assurance.
• A dedicated welcome to our teams with a tailored induction and a wide range of training programmes to develop your skills.
• Amazing perks and discounts via our M&S Choices portal to maximise your financial and personal wellbeing.
• Industry-leading parental, adoption and neonatal policies, providing support and flexibility for your family.
• Access to a fantastic range of wellbeing support for all colleagues including access to our 24/7 Virtual GP and PAM Assist to support you and your family.
• A charity volunteer day to support a charity or cause you're passionate about through a dedicated day away from work.

Everyone’s welcome

We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen.

We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together.

If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.