Financial Controller

Location:

Manchester, GB

Opening Date: 23 Jul 2024

Full Time / Part Time: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Financial Controller

Closing date for applications – 20th August 2024

Our Story

Established in 2013, City Football Group is the world’s leading private owner and operator of football clubs, with total or partial ownership of thirteen clubs across the world. City Football Group also invests in other football related businesses and serves as a global commercial platform for our partners, whilst fulfilling our purpose of empowering better lives through football on a local and global scale, consistent with what “City” football has meant to people for over a century.

Our Winning Team

Our purpose is to empower better lives through football. We are proud of the role City Football Group clubs play in their localities, delivering positive economic, social and environmental impact through our operations and through programmes and activities that bring about meaningful, lasting change.

This is a key role for the Group and the Finance Team. Responsible for all aspects of Group Accounting, Financial Reporting (IFRS, statutory, regulatory, management) and Group Accounting Shared Services (incl. Transactions processing).

Role requires excellent technical and conceptual skills coupled with business partnering approach interfacing with the central and local finance teams, also engaging with the overall business. Position holder will also interact with Audit Committee, External and Internal Audit.

Continuous improvement mindset critical to ensure that the Finance Team adapts to the changing demands of a fast growing international business, an increasing regulatory environment, the needs of implementing efficient accounting processes (incl. automation), and growing the scope of accounting related shared services for the clubs.

*Known internally as Head of Group Accounting & Control

This is Your City

CFG have some unique benefits such as free breakfast and lunches as well as free access to the gym, running clubs, padel court, onsite yoga and bootcamp. All of which are situated on campus with modern and collaborative working spaces and free car parking.

The core benefits package includes 26 days holiday plus your birthday, private medical insurance, employer pension contribution, private health insurance, dental plan, cycle to work scheme, give as you earn and life assurance. There are also lifestyle and partnership discounts on offer.

Your Impact

Financial Reporting

Responsible for group financial reporting on a regular cadence including the consolidation of financial statements and creation of regular management accounts. Developing and continuously improving the related processes, systems, throughput times and related reporting processes and automation.

Ensure full compliance with Group accounting policies and IFRS, including regular reviews to enhance policies, the associated documentation and standardization of accounting practices across the Group.

Management and oversight of the year end Group and local subsidiary statutory audits and taking the lead on the Annual Report from a finance perspective.

Review, and in certain areas prepare, the reporting, consolidation and review of the monthly, quarterly as well as annual financial statements. Perform month end process to ensure accurate and timely close (including consolidation and payroll processes).

Liaise with internal and external auditors, including audit scope, fees, timelines, and outcomes. Responsible for preparing and reviewing special purpose accounts to regulatory bodies, incl. a.o. UEFA and the Premier League.

Regulatory, Bank and Other Reporting

Responsible for UEFA and Premier League reporting, including documenting compliance with rulebooks and advising on judgemental areas.

Responsible for financial reporting related to the Group Term Loan, including quarterly financial statements, calculating, and reporting certain covenant ratios and testing, and preparing presentations to Term Loan holders.

Other reporting includes reporting to shareholders, the Audit Committee and board packs.

Support certain tax reporting including corporate, VAT, P11d & PSA filing requirements, and Transfer Pricing.

Technical Accounting, Systems, Processes and Controls

The role is responsible for all Group technical accounting matters including the introduction of new IFRS standards (where applicable), acquisition accounting, financial instrument classification and measurement and the accounting treatment of complex industry specific areas such as revenue recognition and the recording of player transactions.

This role is responsible for the continuing optimisation of the Group accounting system, incl. proper maintenance maximising the potential of automating entries and transaction processing, whilst ensuring to embed a proper internal control framework, addressing the need for appropriate risk management.

Accounting Shared Services

The role will also be accountable to transform the current transactional processing team into a broader accounting shared service set-up, delivering accounting shared services to clubs outside of Manchester.

Leading Finance Staff

The role will be responsible for leading and managing the Accounting and Financial Reporting team and the Transactions processing team.

Insurance Management

Management of the UK, and key Group, insurance policies and key point of contact with the insurance brokers.

What we are looking for

Essential

• Qualified ACA, ACCA, or CIMA accountant with extensive post qualified experience, including experience working in a corporate control environment
• Excellent technical accounting skills, primarily IFRS but understanding of other GAAPs and future development of standards
• Positive, open mindset; driver and leader of change
• Excellent communicating and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate and influence external stakeholders
• Significant experience providing concise information of complex matters for non-financial board members and senior management.
• Skillset to operate in ERP environments, optimizing the automation and controls set-up
• Experience to have operated within an accounting shared service centre environment

City Football Group promotes equal opportunities in employment and we positively welcome applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We will screen all applicants and select candidates whose skills and experience seem to meet our needs. We will carefully consider your application during the initial screening and will contact you only if you are selected for an interview.

Employment is subject to the provision of proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

Due to our safeguarding promise, all UK based CFG roles will be subject to a DBS check upon commencing employment with us. This will be either a basic, standard or enhanced check depending on the job role and responsibilities.

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