I'm looking for

We are seeking Procurement professionals to join our Corporates Operations Transformation team.

Key responsibilities for the role include:
• Providing analytical services, including spend analysis, maturity assessments, opportunity assessments and cost modelling.
• Assessment of a client’s existing procurement capability against leading practice
• Providing insight on the procurement technology market across Source to Pay, Supply Management, Analytics and Category Management
• Procurement analytics - Analysis of and insights from data (incl spend) to drive better decision making
• Supporting complex sourcing projects including managed services in categories including Facilities, IT and Logistics

As well as working in teams to deliver these solutions, Assistant Managers are also expected to contribute to bringing to fruition new solutions and business development activity.

Qualifications, Experience and Skills Required:
• Experience providing analytical services, including spend analysis, maturity assessments, opportunity assessments and cost modelling
• Experience supporting the quantification of potential savings and ongoing benefits tracking and realisation to clients.
• Experience defining new procurement operating models that enhance procurement value creation and return on procurement
• Experience evaluating insource / outsource for back- and middle-office as well as frontline services
• Experience designing improvements in Procurement capability through the introduction of leading practice procurement operating models, organisation redesign, procurement techniques
• Experience supporting clients to implement improvements across the end to end Source to pay process
• Experience producing and delivering structured training courses to upskill an existing procurement and supply chain team.
• Experience providing insight on the procurement technology market across Source to Pay, Supply Management, Analytics and Category Management
• Experience helping clients to develop a digital strategy for Procurement that leverages cloud based source to pay technology, advanced analytics, collaborative category management technology, robotics process automation and AI solutions
• Experience building a technology roadmap that drives speed to value for our clients
• Experience supporting the sourcing and evaluation of digital solutions
• Experience in identification of savings/value creation opportunities using a range of demand and supply side levers
• Experience delivering savings/value creation initiatives
• Experience supporting complex sourcing projects including managed services in categories including Facilities, IT and Logistics
• Experience advising clients on the appropriate strategy for complex outsourcing including service and commercial models
• Experience planning and executing sourcing and vendor evaluation
• Experience of consulting within Procurement or have an operational management background
• Experience of procurement processes – including: sourcing, category management, strategic sourcing, contract management, supply relationship management Purchase to Pay (P2P),
• Experience of change management in complex multi-business unit / multi-geography environments

Multiple positions available
Opening date 17/03/2020
Closing date 14/04/2020
Competitive salary plus benefits

At KPMG, our values define who we are and the way we do business. As a leading professional services firm, we know that our strength and capability come from our people – their different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds. From our inclusive leadership strategy to our diversity and inclusion targets – we’re making bold changes to who we are and what we do. Be part of it. You will have the opportunity to work within a dynamic team and will benefit from extensive training, professional development and performance management to help you meet your professional goals.

We are looking for experienced auditors to join the Pensions Audit practice within Financial Services. We currently have opportunities in the Reading Office.

Our Pensions Audit team works with a variety of pension schemes including some of the largest schemes in the UK, working across a number of pension administrators.

We offer a supportive working environment with benefits packages tailored to the individual to help achieve a good work life balance, giving superb opportunities for personal and professional growth within a Big 4 environment.

As an Assistant Manager, you’ll be involved in all aspects of delivering audit engagements, from planning through to completion on a broad spectrum of pension scheme clients. The role will include executive level client interaction and exposure to multiple clients on an annual basis, as well as daily tasks such as:

• Planning and execution of audit fieldwork and statutory reporting across a portfolio of clients
• Project management of all aspects of audit including agreeing audit timelines, team briefings, and supervision and delivery of audit work
• Budgeting and monitoring the financial performance of projects, focusing on optimising profitability
• Identifying, researching and helping to resolve complex accounting and audit issues
• Building relationships with client staff and acting as an ambassador for the firm
• Reporting to audit managers and partners on all salient points arising from audits
• Supervising and coaching junior members of staff to help them realise their full potential
• You may also have the opportunity to work on audit tenders or audit related advisory projects
• Monitors and upholds the highest quality of service and products to clients (internal and external)
• Strong project management techniques including decision-making ability, analytical skills, time management, prioritisation, organisation and evaluative skills
• Shows initiative, resilience and is able to multitask in a pressurised environment
• The ambition to undertake new challenges and step up into supervisory roles, taking leadership where necessary
• The ability to communicate with senior levels of management and off shore teams
• The desire to work in a diverse environment and gain exposure to an international working environment
• Collaborative attitude with an enthusiasm for coaching and developing others
• Builds the reputation of KPMG through the quality of work, knowledge and experience

Skills, Qualifications and Experience required:

• Fully qualified ACA/ACCA or international equivalent is essential.
• Experience of auditing pension scheme clients is required.
• Recent and extensive external audit experience within a ‘Big 4’.
• Well-developed leadership and supervisory skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals both internally and externally at different seniority levels
• Exceptional communication skills; both written and verbal
• Strong IT literacy, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word

Multiple positions available
Opening date 13/03/2020
Closing date 10/04/2020
Competitive salary plus benefits

The KPMG Restructuring practice advises a wide range of businesses that find it increasingly difficult to manage their cost base and meet their financial obligations, including in respect of their pension schemes. Following a number of high profile failures, the management of pension scheme obligations has become a primary concern for all stakeholders (government, corporates and trustees) and, as a result, we have seen a material increase in demand for our advice in this area. Our team is targeting further significant growth over the next few years, leveraging our market leading credentials in this area.


During 2019, our Restructuring team advised on several high profile insolvencies, including a number of retail CVAs, where addressing the business’s pension obligations was a key concern. Over the course of 2019 we provided pensions specific Restructuring advice on corporate transactions with a total value in excess of £5 billion, across a wide range of sectors (Oil & Gas, Defence, Retail, Manufacturing), with clients ranging from Financials Investors and Global Listed Groups through to family owned businesses.


Due to the volatility in pension asset values and the UK population living for longer, pension funding requirements have grown materially in recent years. Further, following several high profile corporate failures, the regulations regarding the funding of pension schemes has become increasingly stringent. As a result, dealing with pensions stakeholders is now seen as a key boardroom issue, and our Restructuring pensions expertise means we liaise with our clients at a boardroom level – often directly with the CEO and / or CFO.


Due to the rapid growth in demand for these services, we are looking for a Manager to join our expanding National team, with this role based in London. Further, it is our expectation that there will be the opportunity for the right candidate to progress over time to an Associate Director grade.


The London Restructuring team comprises over 250 people, led by 24 partners and four associate partners. This specific role would see the successful candidate joining the National Markets London team (approx. 60 people, four partners and one associate partner), with a particular focus on assessing the financial strength of the companies that are responsible for funding defined benefit pension schemes and assessing how much these companies can afford to pay to their schemes to meet their funding requirements.


Our work is hands on – as well as producing concise reports, we are in the boardroom providing direct strategic and negotiation support, and then implementing our recommendations. Applicants should be ready to work in a dynamic, flexible and fast paced environment. The role requires strong accounting analysis, report writing skills and a commercial mind-set.


We work with a wide variety of clients, from small privately owned enterprises through to FTSE 100 and high profile businesses. Applicants should expect to work across all sectors.


Further, this role would also be ideal for candidates looking to work flexibly – we would be more than happy to accommodate a 4 day working week, or working reduced hours across a 5 day working week.


Roles and Responsibilities


To be an effective Manager within the Employer Covenant team, and in this role specifically, you will undertake the following:
• Build strong, trusted adviser relationships with senior management and other key stakeholders during engagements (including trustees, solicitors and actuaries);
• Manage teams of colleagues working on engagements, ensuring effective delegation and also multiple work stream delivery;
• Manage engagements and projects to scope, time, quality and budget complying with KPMG engagement management practices;
• Appraise situations (which can be challenging & fast developing) and look to develop innovative solutions, assessing options for businesses and/or stakeholders;
• Communicate views and insights (both in writing and verbally) in an effective and compelling manner to clients and KPMG colleagues, able to adjust style to circumstances;
• Lead the design and development of client ready deliverables with minimal Director and Partner input;
• Coach and develop team members providing high quality developmental feedback;
• Identify opportunities for the wider firm; and
• Involvement in business development activities, including developing pitches and proposals to win new work.


Qualifications and Skills


Key skills and competencies required:


• Strong commercial and business acumen, with evidence of experience;
• Demonstrable experience in leading work streams, advising and working alongside a range of stakeholders;
• Ability to work innovatively and ‘self-start’;
• Desire to build wide advisory expertise and develop knowledge of the team’s offerings;
• Ability to communicate well with operational and financial staff at all levels;
• Good time management and organisational skills, together with the ability to prioritise tasks;
• An ability to produce high quality, detailed and accurate work, and produce concise and creative reports and presentations;
• Enjoy working in a dynamic, flexible and fast paced project environment;
• Willingness to embrace work across all sectors;
• Willingness to undertake some travel, albeit this is typically limited to day trips; and
• Strong financial and analytical skills, with relevant accountancy qualification.


Experience and Background


Prior experience of undertaking pensions related work is not essential. Up front training and continuous coaching will be provided.

The Department

As one of the UK firm's largest regional teams, KPMG's Reading office employs more than 400 professionals who work with companies across the Thames Valley. Our office is located conveniently just off junction 12 of the M4 and offers parking for staff. It is also a short walk from Theale train station.

KPMG Reading has a strong reputation for supporting Thames Valley’s thriving information technology and communications businesses. We also have a large pensions’ advisory capability and one of the largest expatriate advisory practices outside London.

By combining deep sector knowledge with innovative technology, we bring fresh thinking and practical approaches. Our specialist teams in audit, tax and advisory work together to help our clients achieve their goals, including growth strategy, people strategy, cyber security, digital transformation and technology solutions.

JobDescription


We are currently looking to recruit Audit Manager who will be based in the Reading office.

This will include:

- To manage engagements, overseeing in-charge and audit assistants work ensuring compliance with client, statutory and KPMG requirements, appreciating relevant internal and external market factors, ensuring the effective and timely delivery of engagements
- Oversee and direct the budgeting, planning, co-ordination and control of engagements in accordance with client, statutory, KPMG and business requirements to ensure effective service delivery and maximised recoverability
- Direct, coach and mentor between 4 and 8 audit staff in a performance manager role taking responsibility for overseeing their portfolio, business and personal issues and delivering feedback throughout the year
- Nurture and seek worthwhile relationships with clients, business departments and staff, for the sharing of information and to identify and progress current and future Audit requirements
- Contributes towards the creation, implementation and delivery of the Audit Business Plan and offer support in relation to issues identified as a result of organisational or client focus change
- Assist the Director and Senior Manager (where applicable) in monitoring the effectiveness of Audit services delivered, providing feedback and reflection on the quality of service accordingly
- Preparation of reports to senior management and Audit Committees

There will be opportunity and encouragement for additional responsibilities outside this day to day role, such as working on tenders for potential new clients and assisting with training courses for in-charges and audit assistants.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

- Knowledge and experience of auditing and experience of systems/controls testing as well as substantive auditing - you will be able to deepen your understanding of consolidations, group audit and review of statutory accounts and disclosures

- Well-developed supervisory skills e.g. coaching and motivation

- Project management techniques; this role will test and develop your expertise in decision-making, analytical skills, time management, organisation and evaluative skills

- Strong communication and inter-personal skills, both verbal and written

- IT literacy with sound knowledge and experience of Excel/Word.

- Time and exam Qualified Accountant - ACA, ACCA or country equivalent

- Recent experience as Manager in an external audit capacity, working with large, mixed sector corporate clients.

- Current experience of accounting and financial reporting standards including IFRS and UK standards

Opening date: 18th March 2020
Closing date: 16th April 2020

Salary: Competitive salary plus negotiable benefits

The Role


We are looking for a qualified accountant currently at Audit Manager Level to join the audit practice in our Leeds office, with proven experience in delivering audits to a variety of clients in the corporate sector.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Owning a portfolio of clients with responsibility for agreeing audit timetables, briefing the audit team, including other specialists, monitoring budgets and supervising the KPMG audit process.
• Managing engagements, overseeing in-charge and audit assistants work ensuring compliance with client, statutory and KAM requirements, appreciating relevant internal and external market factors, ensuring the effective and timely delivery of engagements
• Overseeing and directing the budgeting, planning, co-ordination and control of engagements in accordance with client, statutory, KAM and business requirements to ensure effective service delivery and maximised recoverability
• Directing, coaching and mentoring Assistant Managers to assist them in the effective delivery of engagements and the direction of their subordinates ensuring cost effective, timely completion and effective service delivery to the required standard on each engagement
• Nurturing and seeking worthwhile relationships with clients, business departments and staff, for the sharing of information and to identify and progress current and future Audit requirements
• Contributing towards the creation, implementation and delivery of the Audit Business Plan and offer support in relation to issues identified as a result of organisational or client focus change
• Assisting the Partner in monitoring the effectiveness of Audit services delivered, providing feedback and reflection on the quality of service accordingly
• Preparation of reports to senior management and audit committees

The Person


Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Fully qualified ACA/ACCA or international equivalent
• External audit experience at Manager level within a 'Big 4’ or mid-tier firm
• Sound working knowledge of IFRS or UK GAAP
• Well-developed team management and supervisory skills and the ability to motivate a team and effectively
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of individuals both internally and externally at different levels of seniority
• Strong project management techniques including decision-making ability, analytical skills, time management, prioritisation, organisation and evaluative skills
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong IT literacy, including Excel, PowerPoint and Word

Opening date: 13/03/2020
Closing date: 09/04/2020

Competitive salary plus negotiable bonus and benefits