Job Title - Manager, Financial Control

Description - Also known in the market as Statutory Reporting Manager, Financial Reporting Manager, External Reporting Manager, Group Reporting Manager, Financial Control Manager, Technical Accounting Manager, and Audit Manager/Senior Audit Manager.

Location - This is a hybrid role with our office based in central Belfast (2 days a week in office).

Pearson Financial Services (PFS)

PFS is Pearson's centre of excellence for financial planning & analysis and financial control activities. We partner with the business, Group Financial Reporting, Tax, Treasury and external auditors to provide high-quality financial reporting, governance and compliance services across Pearson's global operations.

The PFS Financial Reporting & Control team is responsible for audit, statutory reporting, month-end close activities, group reporting, balance sheet control and financial compliance across the UK, North America, APAC and Europe. The team plays a key role in ensuring compliance with external reporting requirements while driving continuous improvement and standardisation across our global finance operations.

About the Role

Reporting to the Lead, Financial Control, the Manager, Financial Control will be responsible for:

• Lead and manage statutory audit activity across a portfolio of Pearson legal entities, serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors and ensuring the timely completion of audit deliverables.
• Manage the end-to-end audit activity performed by PFS as part of the annual Group audit, partnering closely with the Group Financial Reporting team, external auditors and business stakeholders to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of audit requirements.
• Manage the statutory reporting timetable and ensure all reporting and filing deadlines are achieved.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of audited statutory financial statements in accordance with FRS 101, IFRS and applicable local GAAP requirements.
• Review and approve statutory accounts prepared by internal teams or external service providers, ensuring technical accuracy and compliance with local legislation.
• Review financial statement disclosures and ensure consistency with Group reporting and applicable accounting standards.
• Manage the preparation, conversion and submission of statutory accounts to Companies House and relevant international filing authorities.
• Oversee iXBRL tagging and submission requirements for HMRC filings.
• Coordinate external requests from auditors, regulators and local advisers.
• Act as a key liaison between Financial Control, Group Financial Reporting, Tax, Treasury, Legal and business stakeholders to ensure accurate and timely statutory reporting.
• Provide technical accounting guidance on statutory reporting matters and the interpretation of accounting standards.
• Support legal entity restructuring activities, including mergers, liquidations and other corporate transactions from a statutory reporting perspective.
• Identify risks and issues arising from audits, statutory reporting activities or regulatory changes and ensure appropriate remediation plans are implemented.
• Maintain robust controls, governance processes and documentation supporting statutory reporting activities.
• Contribute to the development of an effective control environment and ensure compliance with corporate policies and governance requirements.
• Drive simplification, standardisation, automation and continuous improvement opportunities of statutory reporting and audit processes.
• Support broader Financial Reporting & Control initiatives and transformation projects as required.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across Finance and the business to maintain high levels of service and responsiveness.