Head of External Reporting

Cygnet Group; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Life Assurance

Pension

Cycle to work

Gym discounts

NHS discount

Perkbox discounts

Job summary

Cygnet Group is seeking a Head of External Reporting to lead the Group's external financial reporting function from its Kings Hill office in Kent. The role combines oversight of consolidation, statutory accounts, and regulatory reporting for all entities, with a hybrid work pattern (two days in-office, three remote).

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with strong technical accounting expertise, leadership ability, and a track record of delivering results under tight

Qualifications

• Qualified accountants with strong technical accounting expertise.
• Proven leadership and ability to manage priorities.
• Experience leading group consolidation and regulatory reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own annual financial statements for 52 group entities.
• Oversee group consolidation, intercompany eliminations and reconciliations.
• Ensure statutory accounts comply with accounting standards and laws.
• Provide technical accounting guidance across the Group.

Skills

Technical accounting

Leadership

Consolidation

Regulatory reporting

Education

Qualified Accountant

Job description

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• Job Title: Head of External Reporting
• Responsible to: Head of Tax and Corporate Reporting
• Location: Kings Hill Office, Kent, ME19 4AE / Hybrid
• Salary: Up to £80,000 per year

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Head of External Reporting to join Cygnet Group on a full time basis at our Kings Hill office in Kent (ME19 4AE).

This is a hybrid role, with two days per week based in the office and three days working from home.

Main purpose of the Job

The Head of External Reporting will lead the Group's external financial reporting function, ensuring the accurate and timely preparation of consolidated financial statements and statutory accounts across the Group. The role will be responsible for maintaining compliance with UK and Ireland accounting standards, company law requirements and regulatory reporting requirements.

The role will oversee the Group consolidation process, including the accounting for acquisitions, disposals, foreign currency transactions and newly incorporated subsidiaries, including Irish entities. The Head of External Reporting will provide technical accounting leadership, manage relationships with external auditors and advisors, and support strategic projects across the Group.

Candidates must be qualified accountants with significant technical accounting expertise, strong leadership capability, and outstanding organisational skills. A proven track record of managing competing priorities and delivering results within tight deadlines is essential.

Key Responsibilities

External Reporting

• Own the preparation of the annual financial statements for all 52 entities within the group.
• Oversee the consolidation process across all Group entities, ensuring completeness and accuracy of reported results.
• Review consolidation journals, intercompany eliminations and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment for acquisitions, disposals, restructurings and other corporate transactions.
• Ensure statutory accounts are prepared and filed in accordance with applicable accounting standards and reporting requirements.
• Review disclosures and accounting treatments for complex transactions.
• Coordinate year‑end reporting timetables and manage delivery against deadlines.
• Provide technical accounting guidance to the wider finance team.
• Oversee financial reporting and statutory compliance for Irish subsidiaries.
• Ensure compliance with Irish company law and local reporting obligations including reviewing statutory accounts and regulatory filings for Irish entities.
• Coordinate with Irish local advisors where required.
• Review statutory accounts and regulatory filings for Irish entities.

Technical Accounting

• Lead the assessment and implementation of new accounting standards and reporting requirements.
• Prepare accounting position papers and technical accounting assessments.
• Provide expert guidance on complex accounting matters across the Group.
• Develop and maintain the Group accounting policies.
• Support acquisition accounting and purchase price allocation exercises.
• Maintain the Group's foreign currency accounting policies.
• Ensure appropriate translation of foreign operations into the Group consolidated financial statements.
• Review foreign exchange gains and losses and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards.
• Advise the business on accounting implications of foreign currency transactions.

External Audit

• Act as the primary contact for external auditors.
• Coordinate audit planning and manage the annual audit process.
• Ensure timely resolution of audit queries and findings.
• Oversee the preparation of audit support schedules and supporting documentation.

Leadership & Governance

• Manage and develop the three qualified accountants within the external reporting team.
• Set objectives, monitor performance and support professional development.
• Promote high standards of financial control, governance and reporting throughout the team.
• Responsible for statutory record keeping for all group entities, including all filings on Companies House.

Strategic Projects

• Support strategic projects, acquisitions, disposals and corporate reorganisations.
• Oversee the quarterly reporting to NHS Monitor, including attending quarterly meetings.
• Assist with financing transactions including restructuring of intra‑group debt.
• Administration of the share option scheme and other long‑term incentives.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives within the reporting function.
• Provide support and guidance to senior management on technical accounting and reporting matters.

Why Cygnet? We’ll offer you

• Salary up to £80,000 per year
• Eligible for 10% performance‑based bonus
• Strong career progression and CPD opportunities
• Expert supervision & peer support
• Company paid Life Assurance scheme covering 3x salary
• Discount schemes including Perkbox, NHS Discount and Blue Lights Card
• Pension scheme
• Smart Health Toolkit, including 24 hour GP service with the option of prescription delivery to your local pharmacy
• Cycle to work scheme
• Gym Discounts across the UK as well as free online fitness classes with ClassPass, Nutritional Programmes and Fitness Consultations

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