Pearson
Specialist, Financial Control
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Job Title – Specialist, Financial Control
Description – Also known in the market as Financial Accountant, Reporting Accountant, Financial Reporting Analyst, Financial Control Analyst.
Location – This is a hybrid role with our offices based in Belfast (2 days per week). We are also accepting applications from candidates in Noida, India.
About 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 Specialist, Financial Control will be responsible for:
- Preparing monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting deliverables for designated business units and legal entities.
- Supporting the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring results are delivered accurately and in accordance with reporting deadlines.
- Preparing, reviewing and analysing financial reports to ensure completeness, accuracy and compliance with Group accounting policies.
- Preparing and reviewing journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations and supporting documentation in line with established control requirements.
- Reviewing work completed by offshore and BPO teams, ensuring deliverables meet quality and timeliness expectations.
- Producing financial analysis and ad-hoc reporting to support business decision-making, Group reporting and tax requirements.
- Supporting the preparation of statutory financial statements and compliance reporting requirements, as required.
- Assisting with internal and external audit requests through the timely preparation of information and supporting documentation.
- Supporting SOX and internal control compliance activities and ensuring appropriate documentation is maintained.
- Supporting the annual review and maintenance of Desktop Procedures (DTPs) and process documentation.
- Building effective working relationships with business stakeholders, enabling functions and finance colleagues to support reporting and control activities.
- Identifying reporting, accounting or process issues and escalating them appropriately while proactively supporting resolution activities.
- Drive simplification, standardisation, automation and continuous improvement opportunities across Financial Reporting & Control processes.
- Maintaining a strong control environment and ensuring corporate policies, procedures and governance requirements are consistently applied.
- Supporting wider Financial Reporting & Control projects and transformation initiatives as required.
- Contributing positively to team objectives through collaboration, knowledge sharing and a commitment to continuous learning.
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About you
You are a part-qualified or newly qualified with a passion for financial reporting, control and continuous improvement. You enjoy working in a collaborative environment, solving problems and developing your technical accounting and financial analysis skills within a global organisation.
Key requirements
- Core understanding of financial reporting and financial control processes.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively with finance and non-finance stakeholders.
- Ability to prioritise workload and consistently deliver to deadlines.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulae, pivot tables and data analysis techniques.
- Experience using ERP and financial reporting systems.
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
- A proactive and continuous improvement mindset.
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Desirable but not essential
- Progress towards or completion of an accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Knowledge of FRS 101 and IFRS.
- Experience supporting statutory reporting, audit or compliance reporting activities.
- Experience working in a multinational or shared services environment.
- Experience with Oracle, FCCS, Hyperion or similar financial systems.
- Experience working with offshore or outsourced service delivery teams.
Your rewards & benefits
We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families, too. We offer:
- A competitive salary
- Flexible working
- Support and sponsorship for your ACCA or CIMA qualification
- 25 days annual leave, which increases by 1 day each year up to 30 days (with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days per year on top of this)
- A fantastic pension plan, where Pearson doubles what you contribute
- Other benefits, including private dental care, private medical insurance, digital GP service, season ticket loan, eye tests, cycle to work scheme, volunteering days, employee wellbeing assistance, discounted retail and leisure products, services from leading companies and much more.
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