Senior Financial Controls Accountant

Ocado Group is an equal opportunities employer and as such makes every effort to ensure that all potential employees are treated fairly and equally, regardless of their sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, age, or disability or union membership status. 

About Us
Our teams are putting the world’s retailers online using the cloud, robotics, AI, and IoT. We provide services to partner clients globally via our innovative advanced robotics technology, known as the Ocado Smart Platform ("OSP"), this drives our highly automated, multi-million pound Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs). In our CFCs - together with the proprietary software applications - we operate a world-class online grocery business that automates the single pick of products, ready for your online delivery.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified Finance professional, with strong risks and systems control experience to work in a fast paced, commercial environment. 

The Senior Financial Systems Control Accountant will be involved with facilitating External IT audit and rolling out and testing IT General Controls. 

As the Senior Financial Systems Controls Accountant, you will take ownership of designing and developing the Group’s Financial Controls methodology for specific processes, implement and monitor financial systems controls, documenting risks and systems controls, training of a wide range of stakeholders, liaising with the Group’s Internal and External Auditors and related deliverables. 

You will have the opportunity to engage with various stakeholders to effectively support the business during the design and implementation of the systems controls and effect any change required through roll-out of risk and control matrices across the group. 

Responsibilities

Take personal ownership for the design, implementation and ongoing monitoring of the Group’s Financial Controls methodology including adherence with the firm’s relevant accounting policies and procedures and  ensuring latest developments are included and best practice considered 
Support the design and delivery of the financial systems controls plan to implementing and embedding of the second line within the Finance function
Anticipate change and inputs into the vision for future development of the Group’s financial control environment
Acts as a subject matter expert in the application of the Group’s Financial Control methodology
Collaborate with the wider Financial Controls team and ensure systems controls in other processes and the systems controls are linked in to ensure the end to end process is addressed
Input into the financial controls vision and roadmap for the Group including assessing the opportunities to standardise and automate
Responsible for the testing of key systems controls and ensuring appropriate recommendations for improvements are implemented to ensure a ‘no surprises’ environment.
Deliver effective tailored training, guidance and advice to Finance and non-finance teams enhancing visibility of the importance of financial systems controls in their respective areas to ensure systems controls are embedded
Take personal ownership for either the Finance Risk Register, Controls Self Certification, related validation the Financial Controls or the Financial Risks on the Fraud Risk Assessment
Support drafting papers to committees on Financial Control matters (Risk Committee, Audit Committee, SOC Steering Committee, Transformation Steering Committees etc.)
Input into the creation of control metrics to monitor the control environment for end to end processes through a Financial Controls Dashboard
Responsible for preparation of KPI’s tested input into the monthly Financial Controls KPI pack and presenting where required
Identify, assess and champion improvements to financial systems controls in place ensuring appropriate recommendations for improvements are implemented
Responsible for ensuring that all risk and control matrices and process flows remain up to date and well documented
Maintain close working relationship with the Group’s Auditors and external financial control advisors and liaise on specific reviews as necessary. 
Identify areas of emerging financial control risk through proactive and regular collaboration with operations and functions, Internal Audit, External Auditors and further relevant information sources
Ensure all subsidiaries and controlled joint ventures adhere to the Group’s Financial Control methodology
Participate in projects supporting Ocado’s rapidly growing business, driving improvements to accounting and reporting processes that support the growth of the business
Act as a deputy to the Head of Financial Controls; representing the Head of Financial Controls (& wider team) as required 

About you

• At least 3 years PQE experience (ACA,ACCA,CIMA)
• Segregation of Duties (SoD) knowledge
• Demonstrable experience in a similar role and experience of operating at Senior Financial Accountant level in internal audit, second line or other assurance roles
• Experience of designing assurance methodology (e.g. financial systems controls, internal audit, SoX), including implementing, designing and monitoring financial systems controls
• Risk and Control Matrices (RACMs)
• A good understanding of general IT knowledge, with good working knowledge of systems and related systems controls

Desirable

• Assurance Qualification (CIA/ CMIIA or equivalent)
• Experience of COSO methodology
• Experience of Oracle Risk Management Cloud
• Experience of business process management / GRC software
• Experience of auditing (internal or external) cloud based Finance systems
• Experience of ERP systems (e.g. Oracle Fusion preferable)
• Up to date technical knowledge of IFRS and experience of preparing/auditing financial statements under IFRS
• Experience and/or Exposure in Tax

What we offer you
Our employee benefits are designed for you, we care about people and we’ve ensured we have a wealth of benefits that focus on your well-being. We regularly review our benefits to ensure we are supporting our employees appropriately.

• 30 days ‘working from anywhere in the world’ policy
• Wellbeing support through dedicated apps and an Employee Assistance Programme
• 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days after 5 years service (plus optional holiday purchase)
• Pension scheme (various options available including employer contribution matching up to 7%)
• Generous Private Medical Insurance (within the first month of joining!)
• Income Protection (can be up to 50% of salary for 3 years) and Life Assurance (3 x annual salary)
• 22 weeks paid maternity leave and 6 weeks paid paternity leave (once relevant service requirements complete)
• Train Ticket loan (interest-free)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free shuttle bus to and from Hatfield Train Station to the Hatfield offices 
• Free shuttle bus to and from Welwyn Garden City Train Station to the Welwyn Garden City offices
• Opportunity to participate in Sharesave and Buy as You Earn share schemes
• 15% discount on Ocado.com and free delivery for all employees (within the first month of joining!) #LI-HYBRID #LI-JK1