Group Head of Financial Reporting

Group Head of Financial Reporting

Salary: Competitive (DOE) | Performance-related Bonus | Company Benefits
Location: Walsall, West Midlands | Hybrid
Contract: Full-time | Permanent | 40 hours per week
  
About Us:
 
South Staffordshire Group is an integrated services group that operates across two regulated water supply businesses and offers a range of complementary services and products through its non-regulated divisions: waste, water and infrastructure, compliance, service and software, and water consumption supply and logistics.
 
Group companies include: South Staffs Water, Cambridge Water, Advanced Engineering Solutions, Hydrosave, G Stow, OnSite, Integrated Water Services, Omega Red, Echo Managed Services, Aptumo, Aqua Direct, and Office Water Coolers.
  
The Role:
 
We're looking for an experienced and technically strong Group Head of Financial Reporting to lead our Group financial reporting function, ensuring the delivery of high-quality statutory reporting, consolidated accounts, technical accounting guidance and external audit management. 

This is a pivotal role within Group Finance, offering the opportunity to influence reporting standards, strengthen controls, support strategic projects and lead a talented financial reporting team through a period of continuous improvement and transformation. Reporting into senior finance leadership, you'll take end-to-end ownership of the Group's external reporting and statutory accounts process, ensuring accurate, compliant and timely financial reporting across multiple entities.
 
You'll act as the Group's technical accounting lead, managing relationships with auditors and key stakeholders while driving improvements in reporting processes, controls and systems.
 
Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a critical Group Finance function and influence how financial reporting is delivered across the organisation. You'll work with senior leaders, drive meaningful change and play a key role in ensuring the business continues to meet the highest standards of reporting, governance and financial control.

If you're looking for a role that combines technical expertise, leadership and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.
 
Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation of the Group Annual Report and consolidated financial statements.
• Oversee the production and filing of statutory accounts across all Group entities.
• Manage the year-end and half-year consolidation process.
• Act as the technical accounting lead, advising on FRS 102, Company Law and complex accounting matters.
• Prepare and review accounting papers for significant transactions, acquisitions, restructures and other business changes.
• Lead the Group's external audit process from planning through to successful completion.
• Drive improvements to financial reporting processes, controls and governance.
• Support the implementation of reporting, consolidation and lease accounting systems.
• Build strong relationships with Finance, Legal, Tax, Treasury and operational stakeholders.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing financial reporting team.

What You’ll Need:

You'll be a qualified accountant with substantial experience in Group reporting and a passion for delivering high-quality financial information.

You'll bring:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification (or equivalent).
• Significant post-qualified experience in Group Financial Reporting, Technical Accounting or Audit.
• Strong knowledge of FRS 102, statutory reporting and UK Company Law.
• Experience managing complex multi-entity consolidations.
• Proven success leading external audits through to sign-off.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• A strong control mindset and passion for continuous improvement.
• Previous experience developing and leading finance professionals.
• Exposure to finance transformation, reporting systems or consolidation tool implementation would be highly advantageous.

What You’ll Get:

• Family-Friendly Leave: Enhanced Maternity, Adoption, Paternity & Shared Parental Leave, Fertility Support, and up to 5 paid Carer’s Days.
• Financial & Life Assurance: Company Pension Scheme with salary sacrifice options.
• Health & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme and 24/7 Virtual GP access for you and your dependents.
• Lifestyle & Perks: Cycle to Work Scheme and My Premier Benefits discounts, cashback, and vouchers.
• Professional Development: Hands-on training and ongoing career development opportunities
• Inclusion & Belonging: Active People Networks – Disability & Neurodiversity, Unity+, Women’s Network, Parent & Carer Networking Group and more.
• Performance & Recognition: Annual salary review, Reward & Recognition Scheme, and Long Service Awards.

At South Staffordshire Limited, inclusion matters. We have a wide range of employee networks which are employee-led communities that bring our people together, support different perspectives and create a strong sense of belonging. Our people are encouraged to get involved as members or allies.
We are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. 
  
We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including all genders, ethnicity, sexual orientations, and physical and neurodiverse abilities.
  
We are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and encourage you to let us know how we can best support you throughout the recruitment process.