Head of External Reporting

Job Overview

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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

This role leads the Group's external financial reporting function, ensuring the accurate and timely preparation of consolidated financial statements and statutory accounts across the Group. Responsibilities include maintaining compliance with UK and Ireland accounting standards, company law requirements and regulatory 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Qualified accountant with significant technical accounting expertise.
• Strong leadership capability and outstanding organisational skills.
• Proven track record of managing competing priorities and delivering results within tight deadlines.

• 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 3× salary.
• Discount schemes including Perkbox, NHS Discount and Blue Lights Card.
• Pension scheme.
• Smart Health Toolkit, including 24‑hour GP service with option of prescription delivery.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Gym discounts across the UK and free online fitness classes with Class Pass.
• Nutritional programmes and fitness consultations.