Head of Finance - Group Reporting

Job-:
Finance

Location:

United Kingdom

Schedule:

Full time Posted:
Closes:
Summary At M&S, we’re redefining what it means to be a modern retailer. As Head of Finance, Group Reporting, you’ll lead the end-to-end Group Reporting function and be accountable for high-quality internal and external reporting, technical accounting and listed company reporting. Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, you’ll advise senior leadership on significant accounting judgements, reporting impacts and governance, while providing Finance support on non-financial reporting matters e.g. TCFD, CSRD and S1/S2.This

is a central M&S Finance leadership role with significant senior exposure, responsibility for delivering some of the Group’s most important reporting outputs and the opportunity to shape the operating model, team and future reporting agenda. You’ll also be an active member of the Finance Leadership Group, helping to shape the direction of M&S Finance.

To stay close to customers, our support teams are in the office three days a week as we believe that skills are developed through collaboration, and that spending time together makes us more creative and connected.

What you’ll do Lead the end-to-end Group Reporting function, setting priorities, standards and ways of working across monthly, interim and year-end cycles. You’ll own the quality and timely delivery of Group financial statements, preliminary and interim results, management reporting and Finance content for the Annual Report, ensuring the integrity of consolidation, cash flow, balance sheet and disclosures, with robust evidence and review of significant judgements.

Lead technical accounting, policy and governance, providing expert advice on complex matters including impairment, adjusting items, segments, pensions, share schemes, corporate transactions and provisions. You’ll be accountable for preparing clear papers and recommendations for the Audit Committee, Executive Committee and Board on material reporting, accounting and control matters. Own key reporting relationships and drive continuous improvement, leading the Group Reporting relationship with the external auditor and overseeing subsidiary statutory accounts, surfacing issues early and securing well-evidenced outcomes.

You’ll drive simpler, sustainable reporting through stronger processes, controls, systems, data, automation and analytics, while representing Group Finance on major corporate and transformation projects. Lead and be responsible for Finance support for ESG and non-financial reporting, covering the finance-related requirements of TCFD, CSRD and IFRS S1 and S2, translating regulatory change into clear plans, ownership and reporting processes. You’ll ensure consistency between financial statements, sustainability disclosures, risks, scenarios, judgements and estimates, partnering closely with ESG, Legal, Company Secretariat, Risk, Internal Audit, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications to deliver coherent external reporting.  

Lead, coach and develop the Group Reporting team, establishing clear accountability, succession, inclusive high performance and resilience through peak reporting periods. Acting as deputy to the Group Financial Controller on Group Reporting matters, you’ll provide confident advice and constructive challenge to senior Finance and business leaders, building effective relationships across business unit Finance, Tax, Treasury and Group functions and setting a strong tone for integrity, professional scepticism and timely escalation

Who you are A chartered accountant with significant senior experience in Group Reporting, technical accounting or external audit within a large UK listed group, with strong consolidation and external reporting…