Head of Financial Reporting

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place. 

Smiths Detection, a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.  

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Purpose:

This will be Smiths Detection’s first Corporate and Financial Reporting expert.  The successful candidate will be the internal financial reporting specialist with crucial responsibilities in preparing the Detection business for independent financial reporting outside of Smiths Group plc, following the recent announcement that the Detection business will be sold to CVC during the second half of this calendar year.

Smiths Detection will be the size of a FTSE 250 listed business, may have listed debt and we require someone with an excellent technical understanding of the reporting requirements that will be needed.   Under PE ownership, clear, accurate and purposeful financial reporting will be required from the outset.  Additionally we are looking for a leader with skills and experience of change, able to design for an evolving finance organisation looking to the future.

The role is to manage the end to end review, reporting and audit process, beginning by prepare internally though creating new processes and policies, in readiness for external reporting and requires someone with a strong understanding of the corporate reporting environment and audit requirements, who is able to research technical questions and work in a matrix organisation to augment the existing team.

The Smiths Detection Finance Team, of circa 150 people, operates through a matrix structure.    This role will not have direct line management responsibility over the preparers of the accounting and financial reporting information but will have ultimate financial reporting responsibility for the entire business.

The role is based at the Smiths Detection headquarters in London, subject to hybrid working arrangements.

Duties:

The main purpose of the role is both to manage the external review, reporting and audit process and also to drive an efficient close process and consistent application of accounting policies through the Smiths Detection group of companies (the “Group”), preparing disclosures for half-yearly reporting of results externally under Internal Accounting Standards. Historically, as part of Smiths, the Detection business has not owned the preparation for external reporting.  In preparation for separation, specific thought must now be given to the Group’s future corporate reporting processes. 

The main areas that this role will be responsible for:

• Setting the timetable, framework and reporting responsibilities.   This role will not have direct line management responsibility over the preparers of the accounting and financial reporting information but will need to design the framework to ensure accurate, complete and balanced financial reporting for the Group.
• Managing the Group’s end to end external review, reporting and audit processes for consolidated historic financial information.
• Managing the process for the preparation of financial statements and notes to the accounts including disclosures.
• Creating a new fit-for-purpose corporate reporting process, leveraging existing people and processes where possible, and building and documenting that required with all our compliance obligations in relation to financial reporting.
• Substantive analysis and investigation on complex financial reporting areas, such as the SOCIE, cashflow statement, pensions, share-based accounting, EPS, financial risk management etc with the focus on areas that require corporate reporting expertise.   A good understanding of IFRS and UK public listed company reporting is essential.
• Responding to and advising on technical and commercial accounting queries.

In addition, this role will also be responsible for:

• Developing and maintaining a new Group Accounting Manual, including ensuring that the Group’s policies are appropriate, relevant, robust and consistently applied.   Shaping new policies where appropriate, in readiness for Separation and beyond.
• Facilitating the delivery of training on financial reporting issues to the Group’s global finance teams.
• Understanding, improving and explaining internally and externally the processes to validate financial information included within the external reporting.
• Preparing papers that can be relied upon by the Audit Committee and external auditors.

Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Qualifications and Technical Knowledge

• Chartered Accountant (ACA or ACCA or equivalent).
• Significant (> 7 years PQE) experience FTSE250 or other similar sized organisation with complex accounting and multicurrency corporate reporting and an established interest in consolidations and technical accounting.
• A background in Big 4 audit is useful but not essential.
• Excellent analytical skills with a record of delivery and quality reporting, with the ability to make effective, timely decisions in a complex, global market by sourcing and analysing critical information whilst engaging, challenging and working effectively with others

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required to influence internal and external stakeholders, working closely with people at all levels in the organisation.
• The ideal candidate will be motivated and forward-thinking, with a strong results and team orientation.
• Flexibility with a strong problem-solving mindset, ability to prioritise and comfortable working with a diverse, geographically dispersed stakeholder base.
• Experienced in making effective, timely decisions in a complex, global market by sourcing and analysing critical information whilst engaging, challenging and working effectively with others under tight deadlines spanning timeframes, geographies and functions.
• The ability to build an effective network of relationships both internally and externally, understanding their customers’ needs.

We offer…

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)