Finance Manager (Controls)

Role: Finance Manager, Controls (UK)

Location: Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Like most we are currently working remotely but long term we do support flexible and remote working  

Topline salary: £55K - £67K DOE + car allowance

Employment Type: Perm, Full Time

 

Ensuring that we are running our business in the most effective and efficient way is at the core of our success.  This role will allow you to support the delivery of this vision,, both improving the operation and design of controls and champion the value that controls gives across the business. If you have solid experience in this area together with excellent stakeholder engagement skills and have worked cross functionally in a large organisation, we’d like to hear from you.

 

As a leading British business of more than 275 years standing, we have experienced turbulent times before and adapted and evolved to remain one of the hospitality sector’s most successful companies. Built on such robust foundations, our expertise has meant we responded decisively throughout this year with our teams, guests and the continuity of our business at the heart of every decision we made. We acted quickly, to ensure we were prepared for the future, whatever it may hold. 

 

What continues to set us apart are our excellent products and people. We have much loved brands such as Beefeater, Brewers Fayre, Bar + Block alongside exciting up and coming propositions such as Cookhouse & Pub. And in Premier Inn, we have the UK’s favourite budget hotel chain, currently outperforming the market and ambitious for more as we execute our plans in both the UK and Germany. At Whitbread, we remain true to our values and put our people at the centre of everything we do.

 

What you will be doing:

 

  • Providing assurance to the Business on the adequacy and effectiveness of key financial controls by gaining a good understanding of financial and business processes
  • Working with control owners to drive the ‘Quality trend’ by optimising controls, working towards a ‘best practice’ control environment for a budget hotel brand in preparation for UK SOX based on the Brydon report recommendations
  • Tracking of action plans for control deficiencies and optimisation activity identified, rolling out training and providing guidance to the business, embedding internal controls as BAU and undertaking ad hoc tasks or projects, as required
  • Ensuring timely and full implementation of recommended control improvements; maintain and report on the effectiveness of, and compliance with Policies and Procedures. Report to the Controls Steering Group quarterly and Audit Committee bi-annually
  • Ensure adequate and accurate documentation of the controls validation results are carried out, maintaining a complete set of working papers to support resulting outcomes
  • Period end reviews that link into SOFY (Controls System)/ FCF sign off on Systems access controls, segregation of duties and assurance analysis for areas of focus
  • Assisting the Head of Finance – Systems & Controls – UK & Germany in preparing and rolling out training and awareness workshops to control owners and their teams, capturing feedback to continuously improve the overall FCF process
  • Building effective relationships with key stakeholders, in order to work better together and identifying opportunities for improving or strengthening existing processes or controls.
  • Review FCF controls for Germany to ensure a robust control environment to support the growth of the business
  • Take responsibility for investigating, reporting and providing recommendations on ad-hoc controls areas such as Ostara and Micros

 

Why we’d love you to apply:  

 

  • You will be a qualified accountant with 1-2 years PQE
  • Have a deep understanding of the core principles of end to end financial processes
  • A broad understanding of business processes, evaluating risks and designing and implementing controls
  • Experience implementing and developing fraud mitigation and control processes as well as designing, implementation & testing of internal controls
  • You’ll have a structured, methodical and broad-minded approach to business analysis, as well as excellent interpersonal skills and a confident demeanour
  • You will be able to challenge others in a confident and effective way, whilst maintaining a strong and professional relationship
  • Broad commercial experience, understanding end to end business processes

 

In return, we will offer you:

 

  • Basic salary - £55K - £67K DOE + car allowance
  • Up to 30% bonus based on company performance
  • Sharesave scheme
  • A collaborative work culture that focuses on enabling your success and continuing your personal

     development

  • A genuine flexible working policy
  • Individual BUPA healthcare
  • Optional contributory pension matched up to 10%
  • Up to 25% discount off our brands
  • Perks at work
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