Group Finance Department

Job title: / Group Finance Manager (Interim position – January 2015 to April 2016)
Reports to: / Group Financial Controller
Main interfaces: / Group Financial Controller, Group Financial Systems Manager, Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, Group Finance Director, local finance teams, SSCs, Group Tax, Group Treasury and Group Legal
Company overview
Informa is one of the world’s leading knowledge providers. We create and deliver highly specialised information through publishing, events, training, market intelligence and expertise, providing valuable knowledge to individuals, businesses and organisations worldwide.
Our Academic Publishing division publishes books and journals with over 93,000 titles available worldwide. Our expertise spans a broad range of sectors with world-class reference materials for academics and professionals, in addition to a host of handbooks and textbooks for students. Using the latest publishing technology, we deliver titles to customers in whatever format they choose.
Through our Business Intelligence division we offer a range of information services including breaking news and views, proprietary data and the latest research and analysis. By providing business critical information we deliver lasting advantage to companies, organisations and governments, enabling them to make valuable and profitable decisions in highly competitive international markets.
Our two events divisions,Global Exhibitions and Knowledge & Networking, complement the information services of Business Intelligence and Academic Publishing by providing vital face-to-face networking opportunities enabling companies and individuals to develop, improve and compete. In this global knowledge based economy, the emphasis is on being connected. This is where our standing as one of the world’s largest organisers of exhibitions, trade conferences and seminars comes into play. Informa produces over 3,000 events across the world every year, allowing communities to meet, share and develop ideas, profile new products and services, build relationships and, ultimately, do business.
The fifth division is Global Support, which is right at the heart of informa. Global Support ensures the business meets our obligations, protects our assets, collaborates across divisions and ensures all operations consistently run to the highest standards. The Group Finance function along with Strategy and Business Planning, Technology, Corporate Finance, Group Tax, HR, IPCo, Legal and Shared Services ensure together that all operations run consistently across the business, to the highest standards.
Globally Informa has over 150 offices in more than 43 countries and employs 6,500 staff around the world.
Main objectives of the role
  • Leadership and management of the preparation ofthe Annual Report and Financial Statements and the Half Yearly report
  • Managing the monthly consolidation process and reporting numbers to a tight reporting timetable
  • Responsible for managing and the completion of the statutory accounts process for all UK entities
  • To act as a key technical accounting resource for the Group, but always looking to reach commercial accounting solutions that are technically feasible
  • Contribute to an improvement in the Group’s internal and external reporting processes
  • Specifically, working with Tax and Group Legal in corporate restructuring activity, including the simplification of the existing corporate structure

Main activities / responsibilities
Manage a team of three accountants – see team structure.
Financial accounting
  • Manage and provide accounting advice on share and asset acquisitions made across the Group, so we are compliant with accounting requirements
  • Review of technical accounting developments under IFRS ensuring new developments are communicated to the Group and embedded into management and statutory reporting as necessary
  • Develop and maintain the Group Finance Policy Manual, with clear guidance and training to all finance teams and SSCs across the Group
  • Responsible for share related accounting including share based payments, earnings per share and LTIP schemes
  • Responsible for pensions accounting including the year end and half year disclosures, andliaising with the Actuaries
Consolidation
  • Management and production of the consolidation system
  • Review of monthly balance sheet and cash flow analysis, and preparation/review of the IFRS cash flow statement and net debt flow on a monthly basis
  • Working closely with the Group Financial Systems Manager in developing and enhancing the consolidation system
External reporting
  • Preparation and effective control of the production of Annual Report and Financial Statements and the Half Yearly report, and be first point of contact with the external auditors
  • Project management of the UK statutory accounts process, including review of all UK head office company statutory accounts and being the first point of contact for all statutory technical queries
  • Providing support for the local finance teams’ financial reporting processes, with specific responsibility for the recommendation of best practice in financial reporting
Other areas
  • Liaison with Internal Audit on performing independent balance sheet reviews and other adhoc finance projects
  • The delivery of adhoc analysis and reviews of a varied nature, including both Group issues and operating company specific issues
  • Liaison with the Group Tax, Group Treasury and Legal & Company Secretarial departments and external professional advisors as required

Qualifications and experience required
  • Graduate with a good academic background and a recognised accountancy qualification
  • ‘Big 4’ trained (preferable)
  • Experience of using a multi-currency consolidation system, such as SAP Financial Consolidation (preferable), gained within an industry role
  • Significant post qualified experience
  • Exposure to UK PLC reporting, including good knowledge of IFRS
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Strong influencing skills, including the ability to communicate complex financial technical matters to non-technical people
  • IT confident with good spreadsheet skills

Competencies and Attributes required for this position
This position is viewed as a developmental role for an aspirational, high achieving, individual
  • Flexible and comfortable in a changing, growing environment
  • Strong management skills and the ability to coach and appraise staff
  • Results, product and achievement oriented to high standards - Pays attention to detail
  • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to multi task and prioritise work load
  • Fast and responsive - working to tight deadlines
  • Proven communication and interpersonal skills to all levels
  • Team player, maintaining close working relationships with relevant employees of the business in order to achieve objectives
  • Ability to listen and willingness to take on new ideas

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