Group Financial Controller

Group Financial Controller (salary from £100,000 depending on experience)

12 month fixed term contract

Immediate is home to some of the biggest and most loved consumer brands in the UK, including Radio Times, Good Food and BBC Gardeners World magazine. Our trusted, quality content reaches millions of people a month across digital, print, video, podcasts, apps and live events.

We’re the destination for people looking to get more from the things they love. We’re here to inspire, fuel, encourage and educate.

Whether it’s the big things, or the little things; from reaching fitness goals to savouring good food, cultivating outdoor spaces, or enjoying the latest TV sensation – we help bring our audiences joy!

About the role

The Group Financial Controller has responsibility for financial reporting, statutory accounts, consolidation, treasury, tax, balance sheet control and cash forecasting as well as ad hoc project work as required. This role manages a team of 7 consisting of reporting, treasury and tax teams.

This role has full responsibility for cash management and covenant monitoring and the Group Financial Controller must have a detailed and firm grasp of these areas. They are also responsible for the preparation and review of the Group’s consolidated management and statutory accounts and appropriate files for the external auditors and will require a detailed understanding of the Group’s financial operations and controls.

The Group Financial Controller requires an awareness of the key tax issues impacting a UK print and digital media group and an ability to analyse and progress work on some of the more complex issues impacting us. The Group Financial Controller will work with the tax team, along with our third-party tax advisors to ensure the company’s tax affairs are in order and all controls, returns and reporting are submitted in an accurate and timely manner.

Finally, the Group Financial Controller will lead on all important issues of technical accounting as they affect the management of the group including in relation to M&A activity.

Responsibilities:

Management

• Management of the Group Finance function including management of a team of 7 staff

Accounting, Financial Reporting and Financial Control

• Managing the audit of our consolidated results, reporting to the Group’s owners on a tight deadline
• Managing the preparation and review of consolidated and individual company statutory accounts
• Advising (in consultation with our auditors when necessary) on accounting implications of M&A or other one-off events
• Ensuring the Group’s accounting and financial reporting is correct and in-line with applicable accounting standards, currently UK GAAP
• Ensuring the Group maintains a strong financial control environment
• Managing the relationship with the external auditors and the external audit process
• Responsibility for the Group financial reporting software, Adaptive Insights
• Review of the consolidation of monthly results
• Review of the quarterly reporting pack for parent company reporting
• Preparation of forecasts for depreciation, amortisation, interest and tax
• Ensuring appropriate accounting and reconciliation for key cost areas including subscriptions income, circulation income, print and paper costs

Treasury

• Treasury and cash management
• Cash forecasting
• Loan and covenant monitoring and reporting
• Preparation of the quarterly loan report
• Other bank reporting
• Management of everyday banking relationships

Tax

• Oversight of the Company’s tax affairs and work on some of the more complex tax issues impacting the Group
• Review of VAT returns and consideration of the VAT issues impacting the Group
• Preparation of corporation tax return workings for statutory reporting, as well as payments of quarterly income tax throughout the year
• Preparation of deferred tax calculations
• Management of the relationship with our third-party tax advisors

Other

• Management of the staff expenses processes, manual invoicing processes, manual payments etc. undertaken by the Group Finance Administrator
• Management of other invoicing relationships such as BBC Studios contract publishing, rent schedules with the landlord
• Managing the relationship with outsourced AP & AR team
• Ad hoc project work as required by the Group FD

Requirements

• ACA – 7 plus years PQE, with training from a top accountancy practice
• Experience gained in a medium sized commercial organisation would be useful
• Strong financial accounting background with very strong technical accounting experience
• Experience of M&A and divestments
• A proven track record in financial control and strong attention to detail
• Ability to plan and manage own workload in order to meet tight deadlines
• Initiative to find solutions
• A genuine interest in the Publishing & Digital Media sector
• Strong Excel and IT skills essential
• An awareness of the tax issues impacting a UK print and digital media group
• Ability to use initiative and creative thinking to anticipate issues and develop common sense, practical solutions
• Proactive and self-motivated with excellent communication skills
• Confident and flexible team player
• Driven and committed to produce the highest quality work and to deliver technical expertise at all times

• Audit experience
• Cash management experience
• Consolidation experience
• VAT, Treasury / cash management
• Preparing accounts
• Preparation of financial statements
• FRS 102
• IFRS

Benefits

• A relaxed working environment with regular socials including a summer festival
• Immediate Community webinars, well-being initiatives and Mental Health First aiders
• 25 days holiday plus a day for your birthday. Our offices will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s which are in addition to your annual entitlement
• Claim back everyday health care cost with Medicash our Health Cash back plan
• Lease an Electric vehicle through our EV salary sacrifice scheme
• Tailored training and development through our Love Learning platform
• A progressive and transparent culture with clear career progression
• Flexible / hybrid working plus early finish Fridays
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced Family Policies including paternity, adoption and surrogacy leave. We also provide a pregnancy loss, fertility, and carers policy
• Competitive pension plans and Life Assurance
• A newly renovated modern office with lots of collaborative spaces

At Immediate, we pride ourselves on our open, collaborative, and dynamic culture that empowers our people to thrive and give their best. We care deeply about our people, environment, and impact. Our active Diversity & Inclusion network, comprehensive well-being programs, and clear sustainability strategies reflect this commitment.

People are at the heart of our business and creating a diverse and inclusive working environment is extremely important to us. Immediate is an equal opportunities employer. We’ll never treat anyone less favourably because of their sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marital/civil partnerships, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, age, religion or belief or disability. We’re also committed to supporting applications from those who are returning to work following a career break, maternity leave or caring responsibilities.

Immediate is a place where you can grow, be supported, and make a difference