M&S is an iconic British retailer focused on own label businesses within Food and Clothing & Home, as well as Bank & Services. Today we operate as a family of businesses, selling high-quality, great-value own-brand products in the UK and Internationally from 1,509 stores and over 100 websites globally. Together our 70,000 colleagues across our stores and support centres, warehouses and supply chain serve nearly 30 million customers each year.

We are on our biggest ever transformation programme! With the objective to restore the M&S business and brand, to deliver long-term, sustainable, profitable growth for our investors, colleagues and wider communities.

The Group Reporting team is at the heart of M&S Finance and are accountable for the delivery of timely, accurate and relevant financial information to the Executive Committee, Audit Committee, Board and to our shareholders.

This role provides support to the Group Financial Controller, acting as a contact for divisional commercial finance teams on all accounting and reporting matters. You will also be playing a key part in driving and supporting the wider team during the preparation of the annual, interim and monthly Group results.

Key Accountabilities:

Area of accountability

• Responsibility for certain key Group level accounting items and judgements (e.g., impairment reviews, adjusting items, segmental information, share schemes, pensions)
• Key business partner and lead group finance representative on project teams (recent projects include LFL/NLFL definitions, implementation of new accounting standards, corporate structure simplification)
• Provision of technical accounting advice to support investments and new business initiatives
• Responsible for Group level review of weekly Financial Headlines report used by the Executive committee
• Own the delivery of certain subsidiary statutory accounts including engagement and review with directors
• Assist in developing the best methods and improvements for both our internal and external financial reporting processes, with a focus on automation and data analytics
• Assist with preparation of Audit Committee papers on complex and judgemental finance matters
• Key point of contact with our external auditors

In addition, the role plays a crucial part in other core activities of the Group Reporting team, which includes review of, as well as assisting with the preparation of the year end and interim Group financial documents, monthly management report and preparation of Audit committee papers.

Leadership and nature of impact

• Work extensively across M&S finance to represent Group Finance and provide technical accounting support
• Line management responsibility of one Group Accountant, with day-to-day coaching and leadership role within the Group Reporting team

Key Skills:

Expertise

• Chartered accountant with post qualification experience at a Senior Manager level
• Experience of large FTSE listed consolidations under IFRS, including knowledge of UK Corporate Governance Code, Disclosure and transparency rules (either in a Group accounting role or as an external auditor)
• Strong background in technical accounting and application within the commercial world including accounting for large or unusual transactions/acquisitions (recent examples; joint venture with Ocado and acquisition of Jaeger)
• Previous retail industry experience (commercial role or audit)
• Keep up to date with changes in accounting policies and wider regulatory changes (to enable the assessment of impact to M&S and play an active role in developing the plan to respond to these e.g., organisation training, adopting new processes, and where applicable, new systems)

Problem solving

• Confident in exercising own judgement on complex accounting matters to pragmatically resolve issues
• Willingness to challenge the status quo, and a drive for continuous improvement
• Support and/or lead cross finance projects e.g., store impairments, 53rd week, IFRS 16 non-property lease assessments

Interpersonal skills

• Effective communicator, verbal and written, to translate complex accounting issues into simple concepts and language and driving optimal commercial outcomes for the business
• Ability to build strong collaborative relationships and influence individuals and key business partners
• Proven ability to plan and deliver on multiple workstreams with competing time frames
• Self-starter who possesses the ability and drive a team as well as to operate independently
• High personal resilience through extraordinary periods of work e.g. during Year end close with multiple senior business partners to manage critical judgements
• Has integrity and ethical standards to ensure M&S is compliant and has the confidence to "do the right thing" and challenge or call out risks

What you will get from the role

• Frequent exposure to Group Financial Controller and Group Financial Director
• Development of a broad network across M&S finance teams and opportunity to support business growth and transformation initiatives
• Oversight and understanding of the M&S Group performance (P&L, cashflow and balance sheet) and the communication of our results to external business partners
• Responsibility and ownership of key outputs for our external results, working as part of a close and supportive team

Key Benefits:

• Flexible working approach, with a balance of being in the office and working from home
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) + 1 celebration day
• 20% discount on all M&S products
• A range of well-being support and a free virtual GP
• 25% off gym memberships, access to online fitness classes and discounts for complementary health services, such as nutrition and lifestyle coaching

M&S is ready to push boundaries to lead the industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring digital era. That's why we're revolutionising how we work and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. There's never been a better time to be part of our team. Marks & Spencer aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make an immediate impact. We are committed to an active Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy, which starts with our recruitment and selection process, and we are happy to talk flexible working.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process. If you consider yourself to have a disability or learning difficulty which means you are unable to complete the application process online, please get in touch either by phone on 0345 300 3725 or by email so we can make alternative arrangements for you.

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