Reporting and Control - Finance Manager, Accounting

Job Title:                   Accounting Finance Manager 

Contract Type:      Permanent 

Office Based:         Dunstable LU5 Hybrid working 3 days a week in the office 

 

Are you an accounting professional who enjoys building strong stakeholder relationships, delivering accurate financial reporting and driving robust financial controls?

At Whitbread, we're looking for an Accounting Finance Manager to play a key role in our Financial Reporting & Control team, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of our financial reporting while partnering with stakeholders across the business.

In this varied and highly visible role, you'll take ownership of key month-end accounting activities, balance sheet governance and reporting processes across the UK&I business. You'll work closely with teams across FP&A, Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain and Tax, while leading and developing a team of analysts to deliver high-quality reporting, controls and continuous improvement initiatives. 

What you'll be doing:

• Lead and oversee month-end accounting activities, ensuring financial results are accurate, complete and delivered in line with reporting deadlines and accounting policies.
• Own balance sheet governance across designated areas, reviewing reconciliations, investigating variances and ensuring balances accurately reflect the financial position of the business.
• Lead the financial reporting and accounting requirements for Supply Chain, Inventory, Provisions and other key accounting areas, ensuring compliance and strong financial control.
• Partner with stakeholders across FP&A, Operations, Procurement, Supply Chain and wider Finance teams, providing insight, challenge and support to drive informed decision making.
• Support external audit activity, VAT reporting and compliance requirements, while identifying opportunities to improve processes, controls and reporting efficiency across the function.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of three direct reports, helping to build a high-performing and collaborative team culture. 

Why You'll love it here: 

• Bonus up to 20%
• Up to 10% contributory pension
• Up to 60% off Premier Inn and Hub stays 

What you'll need: 

• Experience within Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting, Management Accounting or Financial Control roles.

• Part-qualified or nearly qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Strong month-end reporting and balance sheet control experience, with an excellent attention to detail.
• Experience building relationships and influencing stakeholders across Finance and non-Finance teams.
• Strong organisational and workload management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Confident using judgement to challenge, investigate and explain financial results to senior stakeholders.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with large datasets to support reporting, analysis and decision making.
• Experience leading, mentoring or developing team members within a finance function.
• Experience within a large corporate, FTSE-listed, retail, hospitality or consumer-facing business would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of Oracle Fusion, IFRS, UK GAAP and external audit processes would be beneficial.
• Experience producing management reports, presentations and financial insights for senior stakeholders would be highly desirable.