Financial Controller London, England
Job description
About Us
Kaplan International Pathways, a division of the global education group Kaplan Inc., and ultimately owned by the US-listed Graham Holdings (NYSE: GHC), offers international students a wide range of flexible study options - from University preparation programmes in the UK, Australia, USA, China and Japan through to full degree programmes in Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. Through our academic partnerships with leading universities, our expertise in student recruitment, our exceptional teaching and a real focus on customer service and pastoral care, each year we are proud to welcome thousands of students from more than 100 countries through the doors of our colleges.
Background
We are looking to appoint a Financial Controller who will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer. This is a great opportunity for a technically strong accountant with excellent people skills to be part of and lead a motivated team. As Financial Controller, you will sit alongside our Head of FPA, who has responsibility for management reporting as well as planning and analysis. This role is vacant due to the internal progression of the current incumbent.
This position involves a broad spectrum of operational and technical accounting responsibilities covering Kaplan International Colleges UK Limited and its UK subsidiaries as well as its overseas presence in India, Nigeria the U.A.E.
The Pathways Group is part of a larger American organisation, which brings the challenge of accounting both under UK GAAP (FRS102) and US GAAP. We are also at the highest level of testing and compliance under the Sarbanes Oxley Compliance framework. Within the Pathways Group, each of our colleges is a separate company and we have a total of 19 legal entities under our remit.
The role
You will oversee financial accounting operations, have responsibility for statutory reporting and compliance and support governance activities for our Audit and Risk Committee. The role is broad and also encompasses ownership from an accounting perspective of our financial systems, the training and development programme for our Finance team, and our internal control systems.
As a team we are committed to continuous improvement in everything that we do, and we would be looking to you to take ownership for this in the operational finance space. For systems, this will mean working with your team and IT to identify areas that require improvement and implementing necessary changes to support the business. For processes, this will mean applying critical thinking and your professional experience to identify improvements and efficiencies in the tasks that your team undertake.
Key responsibilities:
Line management responsibility for 3 managers: Head of Revenue and Billing, Head of Financial Accounting and Head of Audit and Compliance – each with their own team
Accountable for your teams’ delivery of the month end close, ensuring a robust and clean close with reconciled balance sheets across our entities. As FC, you will ‘own’ all balance sheets.
Maintaining a positive constructive relationship with Group Finance (in the UK) and Kaplan Inc. Finance (in the US).
Overseeing compliance with latest accounting standards
Managing implementation and communication of any accounting policy changes, proactively, feeding in the impact to support planning
Mentoring and motivating the Finance team, ensuring team-wide development and training opportunities while supporting and working with Managers to ensure appropriate individual staff development and training.
Reviewing and updating corporate governance procedures, risk management and internal controls, including supporting our Audit Risk Committee.
Supporting the Head of Audit and Compliance, who manages our external and internal audit processes and owning the relationship with the Audit Partner.
Reviewing cash flow reporting performed by our Head of Financial Accounting.
Ensuring that the financial processes, systems and controls are operating effectively and are robust.
Offering professional judgement on financial matters and technical accounting matters in relation to their present and future impact on the business – feeding in to planning and modelling and having regard to both UK GAAP and US GAAP.
Overseeing our cash collection for non-core business areas.
Monitoring and evaluating financial information systems and suggesting improvements were needed
Working closely with the Head of Tax (Kaplan International) on all matters related to transfer pricing, direct indirect tax policy and compliance.
Monthly Group disclosure reporting.
The Ideal Candidate:
We are looking for someone pro-active and collaborative, who will value the experience of the 3 managers reporting to them.
Ideally, to be considered for the role you’ll need to be one of the following:
Strong Finance Manager with group corporate accounting experience and experience of a range of functions within Finance; or
Currently a top 4 or mid-tier firm audit senior manager.
You will need at least 8 PQE and be a qualified accountant, preferably ACA.
Track record of building credibility, motivating and developing staff
Strong work ethic, with ability to work efficiently with a strong results orientation
High level of business acumen and understanding of financial issues
Excellent communication skills, with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels
High technical competence with experience of working with US clients or reporting to US head offices - a must
Experience of and strong ability in solving accounting issues, leading changes in accounting policies and processes
Ability to analyse and make recommendations
Influencing and project management skills to drive through key business changes
Strong IT skills
Interest in systems and process improvements
To apply for this role please submit a CV along with a Cover Letter detailing how you meet the requirements of the role by 28th June 2023.
Benefits
28 days annual leave*
Big discounts on Kaplan courses for you and your family
24/7 confidential helpline providing counselling and other support services
Company pension contributions
Maternity, Adoption, Shared Parental and Paternity/Partner pay which is well above statutory levels
Medicash Health Cash Plan
Please note that the annual leave entitlement will be calculated on a pro rata basis if the role is part time.
At Kaplan International, we are committed to working in a diverse organisation and strive to provide equality of opportunity for all. We encourage and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or identity, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnership. If as a disabled applicant (as defined under the Equality Act 2010) you would like to request that your application is considered our Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) please let us know using this form
As part of our commitment to safeguarding, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.
Applicants must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
For international students who have the rights to stay in the UK following graduation, we welcome application under the Graduate Route visa.
£90,000 - £95,000 Per annum
