Finance Manager

The role

We are looking to hire a Finance Manager to join our Finance team in London.

Working at WGSN

Together, we create tomorrow 

A career with WGSN is fast-paced, exciting and full of opportunities to grow and develop. We're a team of consumer and design trend forecasters, content creators, designers, data analysts, advisory consultants and much more, united by a common goal: to create tomorrow. 

WGSN's trusted consumer and design forecasts power outstanding product design, enabling our customers to create a better future. Our services cover consumer insights, beauty, consumer tech, fashion, interiors, lifestyle, food and drink forecasting, data analytics and expert advisory. If you are an expert in your field, we want to hear from you.

Role overview

The Finance Manager is a key member of the Group Financial Reporting team, both leading and providing wider support to those activities that result in the efficient and timely preparation of the external statutory accounts and accurate internal financial reporting.

WGSN is now under new ownership which provides a fantastic opportunity for a Finance Manager to join the team.  It is an exciting time to join as we create and develop our new stand alone structure.

Key accountabilities

External reporting:

• Responsible for project managing and coordinating the Group’s global statutory accounts process for c.35 entities and directly leading the preparation of c.12 UK entities under FRS101

• Manage the relationship with the Group’s external auditors regarding the statutory accounts process, agreeing a realistic project plan and delivering against this - holding internal and external stakeholders to account to ensure timelines are met and fees are controlled

• Identify improvement opportunities in the process and drive through changes to streamline the approach

• Work closely with Company Secretarial and Group Tax to simplify the Group’s structure

Internal reporting:

• Work with the Head of Group Financial reporting to ensure accurate, timely monthly reporting to the board

• Ownership of Internal control policies

• Monthly consolidation of all regions and intercompany reconciliation and elimination

• Continuous improvement: Identify and propose improvements to existing processes

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other activities you are required to deliver.

Skills, experience & qualifications required

• Excellent educational background including ACA qualification from a Top 6 firm with at least 2 years PQE

• Sound technical accounting background including IFRS, FRS 101 and Companies Act reporting requirements

• Experience of overseas audits and compliance (particularly in EMEA region) an advantage

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work in a time pressured environment with a high attention to detail

• Skills to liaise effectively with all levels of management and other regional businesses

• Passionate, energetic, high-drive and ambition as well as a high level of initiative and self- motivation

• Proven experience in analysing complex issues and making decisions in a timely fashion, balancing priorities effectively to ensure deadlines are met

• Deadline oriented

• Good team player with a proactive attitude and high levels of intrinsic motivation

• Good demonstrable skills in Microsoft Excel

• Experience of HFM, Hyperion, Net Suite and Oracle financial systems would be advantageous

What we offer

Our benefits and wellbeing package offers flexible benefits you can tailor to your own personal needs, including: 

• 25 days of holiday per year - with an option to buy/ sell up to 5 days

• Pension, Life Assurance and Income Protection

• Flexible benefits platform with options including Private Medical, Dental Insurance & Critical Illness

•  Employee assistance programme, season ticket loans and cycle to work scheme

•  Volunteering opportunities and charitable giving options

•   Great learning and development opportunities