Description

Purpose of Role  

This is a hybrid role with the requirement to be in the Wimbledon Office twice a week.

The Group Financial Accountant reports into the Group Head of Financial Control. The position is responsible for the preparation of the Group’s Statutory annual reporting (including audit), balance sheet control and compliance with group accounting policies and IFRS, and consolidation of Monthly management accounts.   

The role is the first point of review to ensure that the appropriate accounting treatments and ISP accounting policies are applied across all ISP reporting entities, in accordance with IFRS. In addition, the role ensures internal controls are in place and understood across the ISP regions, to protect the Group’s assets, with continual review and update.  

The Group Financial Accountant provides information, support, guidance and training to the Regional Finance Teams to successfully perform their reporting tasks, including:  

• Monthly reporting in accordance with the Group’s consolidation requirements 
• Supporting the annual group audit 
• Assisting in the development and ongoing enhancement of the internal control and compliance framework, minimizing risks of financial misstatement and ensuring reporting obligations are understood and complied with. 

Key Responsibilities 

Group Reporting 

• Coordinate the monthly close and consolidation in NetSuite, the accounting and consolidation system used across the Group. 
• Support the acquisition accounting for newly acquired schools and associated group consolidation adjustments 
• Preparation of the monthly Group Consolidated Balance Sheet, providing insightful analysis and explanation of significant movements for inclusion in the monthly Board Pack. This includes liaising with regional financial controllers to obtain explanations for any unexpected movements. 
• Collect and complete information and analysis periodically, to satisfy ISP’s Group statutory reporting requirements and supporting notes. 
• Monitor intercompany balances, to ensure full counterparty elimination on consolidation. Work with Group Management Accountant to follow up and resolve any differences with Regional Finance teams. 
• Participate in monthly calls with regional teams 
• Prepare first draft of the group statutory accounts 
• Support quarterly reporting to external stakeholders 
• Consolidate and review monthly cashflow and cash collection submissions from regional teams 

 Financial Control & Compliance  

• Assist in the coordination of the Group’s external audit procedures, ensuring information is provided in a timely and efficient manner to meet all Group requirements and deadlines. 
• Review and enhance internal control and compliance reporting environment, in accordance with the Group’s internal controls and compliance framework. 
• Follow up on any internal control deficiencies identified across the Group and ensure remedial actions are implemented  
• Drive a greater focus on Balance sheet integrity across the Group, coordinating periodic reviews with regional teams and focusing on potential risk areas 

Skills, Qualifications and Experience - Essential 

• Qualified Accountant - ACA, ACCA, or local equivalent essential 
• External audit experience (Big 4/Top 10 trained) with robust understanding of internal controls, financial reporting/close process essential 
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications (Excel, Word, Powerpoint) 
• Ability to build good working relationships with all members and levels of the organization 
• A methodical, highly organized approach to the execution of assigned tasks and responsibilities 
• Growth mindset, with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment 
• Attention to detail, strong writing, interpersonal and communication skills
• Up-to-date knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards 

Skills, Qualifications and Experience - Desirable 

• Prior experience in using NetSuite applications or any other ERP systems would be advantageous 
• Positive, proactive, passionate, personable, results orientated, ambitious professional, who is keen to progress within a global organisation 
• Cross-functional teamwork experience 
• Fluent written and spoken English is a requirement. Additional language skills an advantage 
• Ability to handle confidential information with maturity and discretion 
• Capacity to take initiative and solve problems with minimal supervision 

 International Schools Partnership 

The International Schools Partnership (ISP) is creating a leading learning-centred international family of private schools that provide high quality education for 2 - 18 year olds. ISP has grown rapidly over the past 9 years and is now one of the largest schools’ groups globally and currently has 60+ schools, delivering multiple curricula and building on local brands and reputations, operating in 9 regions with ambitions to be 120 schools within 4 years.  With over 50,000 students and 9,000 staff it is a complex group and one which is growing very rapidly both through investment in its existing schools, opening new schools and through acquiring schools.    

Our Vision is to be an international schools group of quality and scale recognised across local communities and the education sector for amazing learning, ambition and growth. We believe that successful schools are the ones that put learning first, always aiming to create rounded individuals that are able to forge successful careers and lives in a rapidly changing world. Progressively, our goal is to position our schools as the leading School of Choice in their local area. 

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles  

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.