Head of Financial Accounting and Tax

Job Description

Your new roleHead of Financial Accounting and TaxThe Head of Financial Accounting and Tax has responsibility for the strategic leadership and operational management of National Highways Financial Accounting and Tax team.You will be responsible for the derivation, implementation and management of appropriate policies and controls in order to effectively govern accounting processes across the business. Also responsible for the identification of opportunities to improve theaccuracy of our statutory records.The key deliverable for this role is for the delivery of unqualified consolidated financial and tax accounts, in consultation with the Department for Transport, HMRC and the National Audit Office.What youll be leading on

• Oversight of all aspects of the financial accounting and taxation processes covering the companys £5bn of annual expenditure.
• Interpret and implement new technical financial accounting policies (both IFRS and FReM).
• Develop and maintain appropriate accounting policies and ensure compliance, providing advice and guidance on the effective and consistent implementation of systems, policies, processes and tools.
• Line management of the financial accounting, asset accounting and taxation teams, providing support, advice and guidance on effective financial and tax practices
• Management of complex financial reporting issues including liaison with NAO and DfT.
• Manage the investigation of major tax queries in order to reduce the organisations tax risk exposure and facilitate the roll out of new reporting/tax regulations, orchestrating appropriate training as necessary
• Contribute to the development of the annual report, including the delivery of the financial statements, financial summary and remuneration report.
• Build and maintain effective and open relationships with Finance Business Partners and other stakeholders at all levels across the organisation, providing professional advice and support to ensure efficient financial and tax planning and reporting thatmeet quality standards.

To be successful

• Fully qualified accountant with substantial post qualification financial accounting experience in a large and complex organisation.
• Strong technical knowledge including IFRS, FReM, audit requirements and consolidations
• Broad knowledge of tax legislation
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to influence, negotiate and communicate technical financial issues to non-financial audience
• Excellent organisational and people management skills

Why you should join usAt National Highways we believe in a connected country. We are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected and included to enable them to enjoy a great sense of wellbeing. Were proud that as an organisation we are continually strivingto do better and actively encourage and support our colleagues to do the same with their careers.So, if you put safety first, take ownership of your work, show passion for what you do, work effectively in a team, and demonstrate integrity in how you do it - then youll be a great fit for our organisation.An informal blended working approach has been adopted for many of our roles across National Highways. We offer many different ways to work flexibly and were open to discuss part-time working, job shares, and flexible start and finish times.Please wait until the interview stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what is possible.Our benefits package

• Our total reward package includes basic salary, the potential for a performance related bonus,
• Contributory pension scheme with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Annual Leave starting at 26 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 31 days (plus Bank Holidays)
• Flexible hours and blended working between base location/home
• Can we add something about the pension
• Life assurance of 4 times annual salary
• Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and network of mental health first aiders. Plus, access to a wellbeing app to enhance your self-care 24/7, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
• A cycle to work scheme for the purchase of a bicycle and equipment for healthy, low carbon travel
• Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, talent management, coaching, mentoring and on job experience

And we are:

• Family friendly with enhanced maternity leave and pay, paternity leave (15 days), shared parental leave, adoption leave. Plus access to financial support for holiday play schemes and paid special leave (up to 5 days pa), eg for caring responsibilities
• Money friendly with access to a discounts platform including over 3000 discount offers for supermarkets, eating out, leisure, holidays, alongside a financial wellbeing programme
• Community friendly - offering paid leave to volunteer, 3 days basic/year

If you are successful, it is key to know all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory completion of our pre-employment checks which include:

• Right to work check
• 3 year employment history references
• DBS criminal record check
• Social media and adverse journalism check
• Driving licence check (if applicable)
• Fit to work questionnaire (for all), followed by a medical check (if applicable)

And finallyAnd finally we reserve the right to close the advert before the given closing date, so we recommend completing your application as soon as possible.