Finance Controller

Finance Controller EMEA - Maternity Cover Contract

Reports to: FD EMEA

Business Overview
Dow Jones ASX: NWS, NWSLV; ). Dow Jones is a leading provider of global business news and information services. Its portfolio of products include The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, MarketWatch, Dow Jones Newswires, Dow Jones Factiva and Dow Jones Financial Information Services.

The EMEA Finance team is responsible for the financial processes within a number of European jurisdictions. In addition to business support, this includes General Ledger Accounting, Billing and Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Credit Collection, Accounts Payable, Statutory and Tax compliance.
Position Summary Statement
The Finance Controller EMEA is responsible for
• Managing a GL team of 7 FTE
• Effective communication with Group Finance in the US
• leading timely and successful period closes and external audits
• maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records
• a comprehensive set of controls designed to mitigate risk,
• ensuring the accuracy of the company's reported financial results,
• the production of periodic financial reports for all entities across EMEA
• ensuring that statutory accounts and other regulatory filings comply with generally accepted accounting principles for all entities across EMEA and are filed within applicable deadlines.
• Complying with ad hoc queries relating to the GL

Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities

• To ensure the integrity of the Company's ledgers and associated systems.
• To produce monthly period end closes in line with group requirements and timetables, supported by detailed workings such as balance sheet reconciliations.
• To produce statutory accounts for all EMEA entities where required
• To provide all regulatory returns required eg for tax, VAT and other government departments.
• To manage the General Ledger staff.
• To identify training needs within the department and make suitable recommendations for action.
• To seek improvements in the Company's information systems (manual and electronic).
• To identify and evaluate areas for improvement of profit with particular regard to cost reductions and methodology.
• To ensure the Company's Quality procedures and Health & Safety Policy are adhered to within the department.
• To advise on any initiatives and projects which impact the financial statements of EMEA entities
• To liaise with all EMEA auditors and implement audits on schedule
• To develop a culture of empowerment throughout the team ensuring that all employees take responsibility for the ongoing success of the Company.
• To develop a customer focused approach to the internal client base

Key Relationships Internally and Externally

Internal
• VP Accounting and their team (US based)
• External auditors
• External advisors (EMEA-wide)
• Financial Accounting Team
• Accounts Payable manager
• Treasury Department
• EMEA Tax and VAT manager
• Germany FD
• Corporate Systems Team
• P2P Project Team
• OTC Project Team

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

Essential

• Big 4 Qualified accountant (eg ACA) with at least 5 years PQE
• Experience working for a multinational organisation dealing with multiple legal entities in different jurisdictions.
• Experience of leading significant sized audits across EMEA to a satisfactory and timely conclusion
• Strong managerial skills, with proven track record of leading a sizeable and successful team
• Proactive attitude
• Excellent time management, communication and co-ordination skills
• Ability to work autonomously and get things done
• An eye for detail resulting in the necessary accuracy
• Ability to influence within a global matrix environment

Desirable
• Working knowledge of PeopleSoft Financials and nVision.

In return, we offer a professional, progressive and multicultural environment for you to grow both personally as well as a wide range of benefits offered by a global company.

How do you apply?
If you feel that this position matches your skills, experience and motivation then please submit your CV which must state your salary expectations to be considered.

Please note only candidates requested for interview will be contacted

Closing date: Friday 29th March 2013