Interim Assistant Financial Controller

Job Description

A leading Private Equity Fund are eager to identify an Interim Assistant Financial Controller to join their finance team on a fixed term contract (minimum 12 months). About You Qualified accountant ((ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with relevant post-qualification experience (minimum 4 years) in a multi-currency Financial Services environment, preferably in Private Equity or Investment Management sector. Possess a high level of technical accounting knowledge and skills, ideal candidate will have a good understanding of UK GAAP (FRS 102), group consolidations, and a practical experience of VAT and regulatory reporting. Good academic background. Strong analytical skills and high regard for attention to detail. Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. Self-starter and highly motivated. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work across teams and manage different personality types. Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken with ability to communicate effectively at all levels. Proficient in MS Office (advanced Excel, Word and PowerPoint) Also, desired but not essential, good working knowledge of Sun Systems and CaseWare. Role Responsibilities The role Assistant Financial Controller will report directly into the Financial Controller, providing support in delivering and overseeing the allocated programme of work and responsibilities relating to the UK accounting function as follows: Manage quarter-end process for three UK legal entities, including journal entries, review of transactions for completeness and accuracy, reconciliation of significant balance sheet accounts and calculation of sub-advisory fees. Business partner for four global cost centres, this entails co-ordination, preparation and presentation of quarterly consolidated profit and loss account, commentaries in respect of material variances and supplementary information at senior management meetings. Timely preparation of annual financial statements, ensuring compliance with statutory reporting requirements, this includes preparing audit files, liaising with auditors to resolve queries and production of accounts in CaseWare. Assisting with the preparation of consolidated budgets for five years in accordance with group assumptions, providing timely and accurate analysis of budgets, financial trends and commentaries. Preparing the monthly and quarterly group VAT returns, providing support to the business with respect to VAT issues and ensure the correct VAT treatment of financial transaction. Ensure periodic regulatory reporting requirements for an FCA registered entity in the UK are completed accurately and submitted on time. Assist the Financial Controller with treasury and cash management activities of the UK entities. Establish and maintain effective governance and financial control processes including documenting and maintaining appropriate finance policies and procedures. Keep abreast of improvements and techniques and advise the wider business on industry specific accounting issues. Assisting with the reconciliation of intercompany balances between UK and overseas entities. Assist with review of Fixed Asset Register in accordance with the company policies and Accounting Standards. Day to day management of accounts payable function (2 employees). Review of journals, weekly bank reconciliations and allocation of monthly taxi/mobiles/credit cards etc. Co-ordination and recharge of AIM and LPAC events costs in accordance with the group policy to all Funds. Assist Finance Director and Financial Controller with the implementation of new finance systems to provide improved accuracy and quality of information captured and reported to senior management in a reduced timescale. Assist the Financial Controller/Finance Director with other ad hoc projects and tasks. Other Information Finance systems include: SunSystems - general ledger (including Query & Analysis); Infor XM - staff expense management and reporting system; Infor d/EPM - group reporting system; VersionOne - invoice processing system; CaseWare (Financial Statements).