FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND REPORTING EXECUTIVE

Location: London initially, then based in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor

Basis: Permanent

Role Summary: Unique opportunity to support the development of a nationally significant infrastructure project currently in its initial stages through supporting the development and delivery of the Financial Controls and Reporting strategies across a challenging spectrum of stakeholders. Reporting to the Head of Financial Controls and Reporting, you will support them to fulfil this new organisation’s expectations.

ABOUT EAST WEST RAILWAY COMPANY

East West Railway Company is a new and exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the changing landscape of the rail industry, delivering substantial fast-paced improvement to modernise the railway.

East West Rail is a proposed new rail link between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Cambridge and potentially beyond. As part of the wider plans for this strategically important corridor, it is one of the most high profile infrastructure projects in the UK today. The new railway will improve local connectivity and serve as a catalyst for economic development and the creation of new housing, as well as significantly reducing existing journey times.

In the 2017 Budget, it was announced that the East West Railway Company would be established to bring new drive and focus to the project. The Secretary of State for Transport recently launched the company, highlighting its role to bring innovation, to deliver more quickly and cost-effectively than existing models, and to develop competition with Network Rail. The company is now scaling up significantly as it prepares to take on obligations relating to the delivery of the Western Section and Central Sections of the scheme, which will provide both innovative upgrades to existing track and to design then construct new infrastructure

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

As Financial Controls and Reporting Executive for the East West Rail scheme you will:

Support the management of internal and external financial reporting, ERP systems, control procedures and workflows
Undertake corporate financial and programme accounting, and contract account management
Support the management of EWR Co. working capital and cash to ensure business liquidity
Coordinate performance reporting on the delivery of EWR Co.’s strategic objectives and value for money
Assist the organisation in its compliance with Government financial reporting standards, policies and procedures
Support the delivery of statutory accounting and management reporting including the preparation of an Annual Report
Prepare information for the annual audit, liaising with external auditors
Coordinate and prepare the necessary financial reporting information required by DfT Group Finance
Assist in the management of transaction processing including but not limited to the payment of accounts payable, processing payroll, maintaining the chart of accounts, monitoring receipt of grants and other incoming funds
Support the budget submission and on-going budget analysis, including financial performance analysis of the different business units
Facilitate the integrity of financial statements, including rigorous balance sheet and income statement analysis
Utilise and adhere to internal financial controls
Facilitate the integrity and privacy of financial data
Support the EWR Co. commitment to customer service and the customer journey
Take responsibility of your own and others’ health and safety and of those who may be affected in the day-to-day delivery of this role by adopting and working to the EWR Co. Health and Safety principles
Co-operate with EWR Co. in all matters relating to health and safety, including following safe working procedures at all times
Act as a role model for EWR Co.’s vision and values, behaving in ways that are in alignment with EWR Co.’s Ways of Working, encouraging and supporting others to do so
Promote diversity in the workplace and adopt appropriate behaviour when interacting with colleagues

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

As Financial Controls and Reporting Executive for the East West Rail scheme you will have at least 3 years’ accounting experience in a similar role.
Your skills and experience will include:
• Recognisable experience in the management of corporate finances and accounts
• Demonstrable experience in the management of costs within budgetary constraints
• Strong analytical skills
• Experience in the preparation of financial and performance reports including an understanding of programme reporting
• Working knowledge of financial regulations, systems and procedures
• Experience of planning, budgeting and forecasting
• Strong people and team management skills with the ability to engage and manage stakeholders
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• An appreciation for and interest in driving innovation and change in an established industry or organisation
• Experience and confidence in dealing with high levels of uncertainty and ambiguity in a constantly changing and challenging environment
• UK public sector experience is advantageous, UK rail and / or capital programme knowledge is also valued

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, CIMA or equivalent)
You will need to have the right to work in the UK.

APPLICATIONS

Please click the 'Apply' button to submit your application.