Great Western Railway (GWR)
Deputy Financial Controller
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Salary: up to £57,500 depending on skills and experience Location: Swindon Contract: Permanent - Full-time
As one of the largest train companies in Britain, more than 100 million customers a year join us on board. When the Great Western Railway was built, it opened the West and Wales to trade and tourism. And now, along with our partners at Network Rail, we're proud to have the chance to look after your railway.
As well as electrifying our main routes, and upgrading key stations, we have carried out the biggest upgrade of trains in the country. The Procurement team have an essential role to play in the success of GWR through our strategic sourcing and our approach to supplier management.
About the team:
You’ll be part of our wider Financial Controls team, leading a team of four who are responsible for key treasury activities. You’ll play an important role in ensuring GWR’s cash, banking and financial controls are managed effectively, while supporting the wider Finance team.
About the job:
As Deputy Financial Controller, you’ll play a key role in managing GWR’s cash and financial controls, helping to ensure we have the right information and controls in place to support effective financial decision-making.
You’ll oversee cash management, liquidity planning, banking relationships and financial risk management, making sure cash flow is effectively managed and financial risks are identified and controlled.
You’ll also take responsibility for the accurate preparation, analysis and reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, ensuring the integrity of our financial reporting. Working closely with colleagues across Finance, you’ll help resolve discrepancies, strengthen internal controls and ensure month-end and year-end processes are delivered accurately and on time.
It’s a varied role that combines financial control, treasury, analysis and people leadership, with the opportunity to make a real impact across the wider Finance function.
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Lead, coach and develop the team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration, customer service and continuous improvement.
- Oversee daily cash management and liquidity, monitoring cash positions and forecasting requirements to ensure GWR has sufficient funds to meet operational needs.
- Manage banking relationships, acting as the key point of contact for our primary and deposit banks.
- Oversee treasury operations, including cash posting, allocation, payment processing, treasury settlements and bank reconciliations.
- Manage payment controls, including the release of payments through Bankline and PTX, ensuring transactions comply with delegated authority and internal controls.
- Maintain strong banking controls, including bank account structures, documentation and authorised signatory arrangements.
- Review and approve key reconciliations, including treasury, payroll, credit card and bank reconciliations, ensuring discrepancies are identified and resolved promptly.
- Support audits and month-end and year-end processes, while continuously improving treasury and financial control processes to increase efficiency and ensure deadlines are met.
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You’ll need to be:
- A qualified accountant or equivalent, with experience working in a large and complex finance environment.
- Confident managing complex balance sheet reconciliations, with a strong understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.
- A strong communicator and problem solver, able to build effective relationships with financial and non-financial stakeholders.
- An experienced people manager, able to lead, develop and motivate a team while creating a collaborative and supportive environment.
As a minimum, you’ll need to have:
- Strong IT and systems skills, including Excel, Word and ERP systems, ideally SAP S/4HANA.
- Experience reviewing and improving financial processes and controls, with the ability to implement meaningful and effective change.
- Proven experience reviewing and resolving complex reconciliations, with a good understanding of processes, system interfaces and associated controls.
- Experience managing internal and external audits, including responding to audit requirements and supporting the delivery of agreed actions.
- A strong understanding of accounting principles, double-entry accounting and key financial transactions, particularly those relating to the balance sheet.
- Experience strengthening financial controls and delivering process improvements, including delegated authority processes.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work effectively across Finance and the wider business.
- A professional, collaborative and proactive approach, with high levels of integrity, accountability and attention to detail.
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Benefits:
Alongside your salary, you'll receive a fantastic benefits package, including:
- Free rail travel across the GWR network for you and your family
- Discounted travel with other Train Operating Companies
- Defined benefit pension through the Railways Pension Scheme
- Company-sponsored healthcare plan
- Discounted shopping and gym membership
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Structured career development and progression opportunities
We all belong at GWR. This is our vision for providing an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion and disability. We maintain zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.
If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.
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