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Group Chief Accountant at National Grid in London, GB, WC2N 5EH
Job Description
About us
At National Grid, we are investing more than £70bn over five years in the UK and the US, with a range of ground-breaking projects to expand our networks. We operate across six business units in the UK and the US, with group revenue around £18bn.
Our strategy is focussed on delivering the brilliant basics to lead on performance, driving big shifts to define our future, and building our delivery credibility to drive disciplined growth.
We are now recruiting for a Group Chief Accountant, responsible for overseeing our external financial reporting and technical accounting matters, as well as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting, and Treasury Finance.
Job purpose
Reporting to the Group Financial Controller and leading a total team of over 20 people, this is a senior leadership role which will require a combination of strong technical credentials and significant leadership experience.
The main purpose of this role is to protect the value of our business by ensuring the integrity of our external reporting, and to collaborate across the CFO and operational teams and interact with senior stakeholders to influence successful outcomes.
The person in post will interface with senior leadership internally up to board-level, the Audit & Risk Committee, external auditors, business unit CFOs and Controllers, and various other internal stakeholders.
New accounting standards and system changes will completely change how we approach this area in the coming years, and this will be a huge opportunity for someone to lead this, owning and driving transformation in this area.
Key accountabilities
- External Financial Reporting: Lead the preparation and review of statutory financial statements and regulatory filings, ensuring compliance with IFRS accounting standards and regulatory requirements including US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
- Technical Accounting: Provide expert guidance on complex accounting issues, including new standards, business combinations, and restructuring activities. Formulate technical accounting policies and ensure their consistent application across the Group.
- ESG Reporting: Develop and oversee the Group’s ESG reporting framework in line with evolving global standards and stakeholder expectations. Collaborate with sustainability teams to ensure accurate, transparent, and meaningful ESG disclosures.
- Treasury Finance (Hedge Accounting): Oversee hedge accounting processes, ensuring accurate reporting of treasury activities and compliance with relevant standards. Advise on risk mitigation strategies and their accounting implications. Work with Treasury to ensure hedge requirements and commercial opportunities are maintained and delivered.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Regularly interact with senior stakeholders, including the Group CFO, Group CEO, Group Treasurer, Board, and Audit and Risk Committee. Present complex accounting and reporting matters in a clear, concise manner.
- Regulatory Compliance: Monitor and interpret developments in accounting and regulatory requirements. Lead the implementation of changes within the Group and ensure readiness for new regulations.
- Transformation and Growth: Drive continuous improvement and transformation in reporting processes, leveraging technology and best practices. Foster a culture of growth, innovation, and high performance within the team.
- Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate risks related to external reporting, technical accounting, ESG disclosures, and treasury finance.
- Be the prime relationship point for external auditors and work with the US Controller to ensure accurate US GAAP audits, accounting and filings
- Maintain close liaison with other Centers of Expertise, developing business knowledge and technical acumen.
Candidate profile
The successful candidate will be a Chartered Accountant (or equivalent), with extensive post-qualification experience in group financial reporting, technical accounting, and hedge accounting. In addition to this, the person is likely to demonstrate strengths alongside the following criteria:
- Deep technical expertise and knowledge, someone who is very confident in driving the technical side.
- Alongside these technical strengths, the person will need to demonstrate strong leadership skills with the proven ability to engage, influence, and build relationships at a range of levels (including up to board-level), and manage teams directly and indirectly.
- A strong appreciation and understanding of how things feel commercially to the business, and the ability to articulate complex financial topics in terms of business and commercial impact.
- A track record of driving transformation and continuous improvement.
- We are open to candidates from different sectors – most important would be experience operating at a similar scale and complexity, likely in FTSE-listed organisations.
More Information
Location: the role will be based in London, with the person on-site around three days per week on average (likely more frequently in busy reporting periods).
Salary: competitive base salary plus commensurate benefits.
The role will close for applications on Monday 16th November at 23:59 GMT.
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We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates – we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.
Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.