Group Financial Accountant

Alpha Plus Group is one of the largest privately-owned school groups in the UK owning 20 schools and colleges, including some of London’s finest Prep and Pre-Prep schools.

This is a high profile role supporting the Chief Financial Officer on a range of group-wide matters.   The role will assume responsibility for the end to end production of group and subsidiary accounts, all accounting technical matters and oversight of overseas tax and statutory compliance in the US and Asia.  Additionally, strategic developments and working closely with the group’s auditors and advisors.

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with several years’ post qualification experience.  They should also have strong knowledge of IFRS for a consolidated group as well as good generalist knowledge of corporation tax.  They will have excellent communication skills and be able to build strong relationships with key stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own the end-to-end production of the Annual and Interim Reports & Accounts and subsidiary statutory accounts.
• Act as the group’s accounting technical specialist, researching and writing papers on technical matters for discussion with the group’s auditors. 
• Own all technical accounting entries, including but not limited to the group’s lease accounting under IFRS16; deferred tax accounting; property valuations and impairment.
• Oversee overseas tax and statutory compliance through management of advisors (currently Hong Kong / China and the US).
• Manage other statutory and compliance matters, such as supplier payment practice reporting and banking facility compliance.
• Support the CFO closely on strategic matters, for example the group’s strategic projections.
• Develop excellent relations with the external auditors and advisors, finance colleagues, and other colleagues across head office and the schools / colleges.

 SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Qualified accountant with a technical background such as with an audit firm.
• Several years’ post qualification experience.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS for a consolidated group.
• Sound generalist knowledge of tax, in particularly corporation tax. A specific tax qualification is not required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong relationship management skills, both internally and externally.
• Strong self management, able to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent excel skills.

APG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and as an employee of APG you are expected to share this commitment. The protection of our students’ welfare is the responsibility of all staff within APG Schools and individuals are expected to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of our organisation.