Director,Group Reporting Job Belfast area,Northern Ireland UK,Finance & Banking

About the team

The Group Reporting team is accountable for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the Groups external financial reporting, supporting both UK and US listings, as well as internal reporting to the Board and senior management. The team defines and maintains the Groups accounting policies, oversees and develops the Groups financial consolidation systems, and sets appropriate financial controls for consolidating and reporting Group data.

It also provides accounting guidance to business units on acquisitions, disposals, and other complex technical matters, while managing the accounting for the parent company and the investment and treasury entities based at head office.

The Group reporting team is supported by the Pearson Financial Services (PFS) Financial Reporting & Control team which is based in Belfast.

Location:

About the role

Reporting to the VP of Finance and Group Reporting, the Director of Group Reporting will be accountable for ensuring the integrity of external financial reporting in support of the Groups UK and US listings, including the production of the Groups US listing document.

The role will oversee key technical accounting matters affecting both internal and external reporting and act as a principal contact for the wider Finance team, operating companies, and specialist departments on reporting issues.

As the Groups accounting and finance expert, the Director will play a central role in strategic initiatives such as acquisitions and other complex projects, providing both technical insight and strategic guidance.

Key Responsibilities include:

Partner with the VP, Group Reporting to deliver high-quality external reporting

Lead on technical accounting areas including M&A, goodwill, share-based payments, and leases defining treatments, disclosures, and best practices.

Act as primary contact for auditors and coordinate with actuaries and legal advisors to support reporting.

Apply technical expertise to strategic initiatives such as new business models, M&A, and restructuring, contributing to both accounting integrity and broader business decision-making.

Serve as subject matter expert on reporting systems and data, with strong analytical capability.

Oversee the Groups material transactions review process, escalating key issues to the VP, Group Reporting and Deputy CFO.

Manage pension accounting, coordinating with internal teams and advisors, and prepare disclosures for interim and year-end reporting.

Maintain Sarbanes-Oxley documentation for Group reporting and recommend control improvements.

Advise operating companies, auditors, and advisors on accounting matters and ad hoc queries.

Review statutory accounts for UK-based entities.

Monitor financial and regulatory developments (e.g., Climate, FRC, SEC) and lead Pearsons responses, including comment letters.

About you

Proven group reporting experience, gained either at a top-tier accountancy firm or within a medium-to-large organisation.

Significant PQE, with strong experience in UK PLC reporting, detailed knowledge of IFRS, and exposure to complex multi-currency consolidations.

Expert understanding of financial control processes and systems, including familiarity with Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.

Experience in management accounting and financial reporting.

Adaptable communicator, capable of working and leading across multiple countries with cultural agility.

Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage complex projects effectively.

Experience with Oracle and Hyperion finance systems is desirable.

This group Finance role provides great exposure across the Pearson business and is a great place to start your Pearson Finance career!

Your rewards & benefits

We know youll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know that one size doesnt fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families too. There is a range of options, see some of them shared here:

A competitive salary

25 Days annual leave, this increases by 1 day each year up to 30 days with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days per year on top of this.

A fantastic pension plan, where Pearson double what you contribute.

Pearsons other benefits also include private dental care, private medical insurance, digital GP service, season ticket loan, eye tests, cycle to work scheme, volunteering days, employee wellbeing assistance discounted retail and leisure products and services from leading companies and much more.

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Who we are:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more:
We are Pearson.

Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. Qualified applicants will receive…

Director, Group Reporting