Head of Finance (Reporting & Control, Advisory)

Job description

Job title: Head of Finance (Reporting & Control, Advisory)
Location: All office locations considered
Basis: Permanent, Full-time 

Business overview: 
KPMG UK has 17,000 partners and staff, across 20 offices, offering a breadth of 
accounting and advisory services. Our Finance team provide a critical role supporting 
turnover of £3 billion, from guidance and challenge on commercial decision making, 
preparing performance reports, budgets and ad hoc analysis, through to accurate and 
timely recognition of accounting transactions in line with any internal policies and 
accounting standards.

This Head of Finance (Reporting & Control) role is aligned to the Advisory capability. 
Advisory provides technology, risk, transaction and transformation advice and services 
to clients. It is the largest of the UK capabilities with an annual turnover of £1.3 billion.
Role overview:
Primary responsibility is to ensure Advisory’s internal and external financial reporting is 
in compliance with KPMG’s accounting policies and IFRSs. The Head of Finance will 
support the Advisory Finance Directors in overall management of Advisory Finance 
team, processes and controls, whilst also acting as a core member of Advisory Finance 
leadership team in leading Finance Business Partners. 

Key responsibilities are as follows: 
- Advising the business on the application of relevant internal accounting policies, 
with specific focus on IFRS 15 on complex contracts, consulting as required 
- Taking a lead on early identification of complex accounting matters, including 
working closely with Group Commercial Finance in the review, design and
implementation of process and control improvements as appropriate, including 
follow-up actions on complex engagements 
- Responsible for monthly review of balance sheet reconciliations, with 
appropriate escalation of issue resolutions 
- Liaising with Group Financial Reporting team, external auditors and client 
delivery teams for management of external audit process to ensure timely and 
appropriate provision of audit deliverables
- Lead on ad-hoc financial reporting projects and external financial data 
requirements 
- Lead on management of key areas of judgment ahead of year-end close 
- Support the Finance Directors in the preparation of month-end close and 
reporting, including insightful analysis of performance 
- Lead on continuous improvement of financial controls across Advisory, working 
closely with Group Financial Control team and Internal Audit as appropriate 
- Lead on the training of relevant accounting policies as required, both for Finance 
Business Partner community and business stakeholders as appropriate
- Lead on management of internal audit relationship for relevant audits, including 
follow-up of actions as appropriate 
This role will report into the Finance Directors for KPMG UK Advisory, with key 
stakeholders including members of Advisory Leadership. The role will also involve 
closely liaising with multiple stakeholders, including the Group Financial Control, 
Commercial Finance and Financial Reporting teams. 

Qualifications & experience requirements:
- ACA or ACCA qualified accountant, with 3-5 post qualified experience 
- Working knowledge of IFRS 15 required, with ability to prepare technical 
accounting papers
- Audit experience preferred from Big 4 or Top-tier accounting firm
- Sound judgement, including the ability to identify and evaluate complex 
accounting matters and knowing when to consult 
- Strong project management skills 
- Ability to communicate confidently at all levels, including at senior levels and to 
external auditors 
- Team-orientated with emphasis on developing technical and soft skills of the 
broader team 
- Good Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel