Overview
Location: 300 Thames Valley Park Drive, Earley, RG6 1PT
Salary: Up to £55,000
WSH is the parent company for leading brands operating in the catering and hospitality sectors. Our brands operate in diverse sectors, including:
- Public spaces – such as the Science Museum, St Pancras Champagne bar and Dublin Zoo
- Workspaces – from power stations to investment banks
- Education – primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities
A central support office provides financial, HR, IT, Supply Chain and other administrative services to the group companies each of whom retains its own personality and who operate across a number of catering and hospitality markets.
Recent acquisitions provide the group with new opportunities and include prestigious locations such as Musee Du Louvre in Paris and partnerships with established chefs such as Claus Meyers in Denmark.
Reporting to the Group Reporting Manager, the Group Accountant, as a part of the Group Reporting Team, is responsible for preparing the consolidated management accounts and reporting for lenders, involved in supporting the annual audit, statutory accounts, group reporting and budgeting processes and delivering continuous process improvement. In the event of acquisitions or other project work, a strong technical accounting knowledge is required.
Key responsibilities:
Consolidated management accounts
- Prepare the consolidated management accounts and commentary pack within monthly timetable, including support in managing and completing the monthly group reporting process from UK and European subsidiaries
- Post adjustments and manage group company and consolidations
- Preparation of the quarterly reporting for bank finance lenders
- Prepare acquisition and technical accounting entries along with supporting papers for auditors
- Preparing consolidated group forecasts
- Ad hoc set-up and integration of new companies when acquired
Balance sheet reconciliations and reviews
- Preparation of balance sheet reconciliations for key complex/consolidation accounts
- Perform reviews of group balance sheets on an ad hoc basis and challenge/follow up as required
Statutory audit
- Preparation of acquisition and other accounting papers as required
- Preparation of goodwill, investment schedules and impairment assessments
- Working with fellow Group Accountant and other teams in the preparation of statutory accounts and disclosures across a number of jurisdictions
- Other support in the Group audit process as required
Other
- Supporting consolidated budget process as required
- Continually identifying process improvement opportunities within the finance function and implementing them
- Ad hoc technical accounting support across the business including implementation of group wide accounting policies
- Other ad hoc support and projects as required and determined by Group Reporting Manager
What we need from you:
- Relevant professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, vlookups, Index Match, Sumifs, modelling and similar)
- Proven ability to influence change, manage stakeholders and improve processes
- High level of honesty and integrity
- Self-motivated to produce high quality work to tight timescales
- Excellent team player with clear communication skills, both written and verbal
- Strong desire to develop themselves and support the development of others
