Financial Accountant Corporate Reporting - FTC

Smiths Group; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global security solutions provider in London is seeking a financial reporting specialist for their new Corporate Reporting team. This role focuses on preparing the business for separation via sale or de-merger, requiring expertise in corporate reporting and audit processes. Ideal candidates should be Chartered Accountants with strong analytical skills and experience in FTSE-listed companies. The position allows for hybrid work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Experience in FTSE100 or FTSE250 multicurrency corporate reporting.
• Collaboration with diverse, geographically dispersed stakeholder base.
• Ability to make timely decisions using critical information.

Responsibilities

• Produce, analyse, and explain financial information.
• Coordinate stakeholders for supporting analysis.
• Respond and advise on technical accounting queries.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving mindset

Accounting standards knowledge

Education

Chartered Accountant (ACA or ACCA or equivalent)

Job description

Company Description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection's threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group, is a global leader in the development, manufacture, and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites, and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

Job Purpose: This is one of two roles within Smiths Detection's new Corporate Reporting team. The successful candidate will be one of two internal financial reporting specialists with crucial responsibilities in preparing the Detection business for separation via sale or de-merger from Smiths Group plc, with a view to Smiths Detection being able to become a separate FTSE 250 listed business by the end of the 2026 calendar year.

The role is to execute on core requirements for the external review/audit process and prepare internally through delivering new processes, in readiness for external reporting, and requires someone with a strong understanding of the corporate reporting environment and audit requirements, who is able to work collaboratively across a global organisation and apply knowledge with skill and accuracy.

The role is based at the Smiths Group plc headquarters in London, subject to hybrid working arrangements. The role is a fixed-term role as Separation is currently one of the options being considered, with the other option being Sale. The ideal candidate would be interested in a longer-term role with Detection, although this cannot be offered at the present time.

Duties:

The main purpose of the role is to execute on core requirements for the external review/audit process and also to create and deliver information in an effective way to prepare for various internal and external reporting requirements. In preparation for separation, specific thought must now be given to the Group's future corporate reporting processes and the new Corporate Reporting team is being established.

• Producing, analysing, and explaining financial information for various internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinating stakeholders and information flows for supporting analysis to substantiate and present balances demonstrating strong control and appropriate application of accounting standards.
• Substantive analysis and investigation on financial reporting areas, including topics that are centrally controlled and those that require divisional expertise and oversight. A good understanding of IFRS and UK public listed company reporting is essential.
• Responding to and advising on technical and commercial accounting queries.
• Upskilling local teams to enable efficient and timely delivery on complex matters. Understanding, improving, and explaining internally and externally the processes to validate financial information included within the external reporting.

Qualifications

• Chartered Accountant (ACA or ACCA or equivalent).
• FTSE100 or FTSE250 (i.e., FTSE350) multicurrency corporate reporting experience and an established interest in consolidations and technical accounting.
• A background in Big 4 audit is useful but not essential.
• Excellent analytical skills with a record of delivery and quality reporting, with the ability to make effective, timely decisions in a complex, global market by sourcing and analysing critical information whilst engaging, challenging, and working effectively with others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders.
• Flexibility with a strong problem-solving mindset, ability to prioritise, and comfortable working with a diverse, geographically dispersed stakeholder base.
• Highly organised and able to engage and work effectively with others under tight deadlines spanning timeframes, geographies, and functions.
• The ideal candidate will be motivated and forward-thinking, with a strong results and team orientation.

Join us and we'll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You'll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics.