External Audit Relationship Lead London
Job description
The Role We’re looking for an External Audit Relationship Lead to join our Finance team at Direct Line Group. Reporting to our Director of Finance Operations and Control, you will lead the end-to-end management of the external auditor, being the main interface between the audit team and our business. Your expertise will help lead a joined-up approach across the organisation, while continuously driving improvements. You’ll also provide valuable technical and advisory support for committee/board papers and other technical accounting requirements. What else you'll be doing: Chair liaison meetings between the business and external audit team, ensuring timely resolution of issues with the business and escalating unresolved matters to Finance executive management. Collaborate with CFO and our Leadership Network to lead delivery of Finance Audit Committee papers, ensuring that the scope and requirements of the papers are understood. Take ownership of DLG finance's input to external auditor's papers for the Audit Committee, including fees, audit strategy, and management representation letters for example. Perform similar role for Finance's papers to the Board, Disclosure Committee, and other committees. Manage the end-to-end Finance timetable for external financial reporting, tracking delivery and prioritising issue resolution, escalating unresolved matters. What you'll need: We’re looking for a qualified accountant with experience in leading and managing External Audit relationships, ensuring collaboration and delivery of audit objectives. You’ll need an in-depth understanding of finance processes, systems, and the financial control environment, with the ability to identify and address financial and control-related issues. You’ll also have experience writing Technical Board Papers, demonstrating strong communication and presentation skills and be able to influence at Board and Executive level. Ways of Working Our mixed model way of working offers a 'best of both worlds' approach combining the best parts of home and office-working, offering flexibility for everyone. How much you'll be in the office will vary from time to time, but we'd expect you to meet in our office 1-2 times per week. Our team are currently based in Bromley, but we're moving to London Bridge (near Monument) in August! Read our flexible working approach . Benefits We recognise we wouldn't be where we are today without our colleagues, that's why we offer excellent benefits designed to suit your lifestyle: 9% employer contributed pension Bonus eligibility of up to 20% 50% off home, motor and pet insurance plus free travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover Additional optional Health and Dental insurance EV car scheme allows all colleagues to lease a brand new electric or plug-in hybrid car in a tax efficient way. 30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, and we also offer the option to buy/sell up to +/- 5 days per year Buy as you earn share scheme Employee discounts and cashback Plus many more Being yourself Direct Line Group is an equal opportunity employer, and we think diversity of background and thinking is a big strength in our people. We're delighted to feature as one of the UK's Top 50 Inclusive Employers and are committed to making our business an inclusive place to work, where everyone can be themselves and succeed in their careers. We know you're more than a CV, and the things that make you, you, are what bring potential to our business. We recognise and embrace people that work in different ways so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you. #LI-AC1 #LI-Hybrid Direct Line Group
