Senior Accounting Manager

Who we are:

The Economist Group is a global media and information-services company that exists to champion progress with customers currently spread across 159 countries and an active subscriber base of 1.2 million. We provide individuals and organisations with the expertise, insights and perspective to press forward.  

The Finance team’s vision is to partner with the Group in driving profitable growth, through finance excellence. We support our businesses to make effective commercial and operational decisions; provide information and analysis to management and the Board to support strategic decisions; manage working capital to quickly convert profit into cash; develop and maintain a strong control environment to comply with legal, statutory and tax legislation in all territories we operate in. 

With over 100 Finance professionals operating from offices in London, New York, Hong Kong & Gurugram, we are rapidly building a substantial presence in Gurugram to become our largest finance hub. You will be joining our global organisation at a pivotal moment, working with finance and business colleagues from around the globe to deliver the Finance vision.

The Business:

• an iconic brand with a history dating back 179 years
• a truly global business with customers in over 150 countries
• a unique combination of B2B and B2C Businesses

The Finance Team:

• be part of our Finance Transformation programme, reshaping our processes and the technology we use
• work closely with finance and business colleagues from around the globe
• ability to influence in an organisation of 1,600 people

Currently we are looking for an experienced Business Accounting Manager to lead the financial and management accounting team responsible for providing accounting services for our 3 business divisions (The Economist, Impact Partnerships and Economist Intelligence) and group/central divisions. The role involves managing the monthly management accounting and controls for the business divisions, consolidation of the group results and supporting the preparation of financial accounts and external audit thereof.

The initial focus of the role will be in recruiting and building the local team and migrating and transitioning accounting processes from local teams. Once service levels are stabilized, the next focus will be on standardizing procedures and targeting efficiencies through standardisation, simplification, process improvement and system development.

The position will report into the Head of Finance Shared Services and will form a close working partnership with the Chief Accountant (UK), Statutory compliance team (Hong Kong) and the Circulation Systems Finance Manager (UK).

Key Accountabilities:

• Manage a team of c.15
• Develop relationships with stakeholders both within finance and within the commercial business to anticipate and meet their needs
• Provide leadership, coaching, review, mentoring, performance management and development to the team.
• Coordinate the delivery of monthly financial information to management: P&L’s, balance sheets, KPIs, commentaries and other financial analysis for the businesses.
• Present and explain the monthly financial information for each business unit to the Commercial business finance teams
• Manage delivery of consolidated monthly management accounts including profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow and other financial metrics
• Co-ordinate submission of information to external auditors.
• Drafting of statutory accounts
• Work with the business and Group tax departments to ensure accuracy of statutory results including transfer pricing.
• Maintain financial control disciplines within the team including coordinating the preparation and review of all balance sheet reconciliations.
• Liaise with and monitor the services provided from external service providers including outsourced activities 
• Accounting for the Employee Share Ownership Plan
• Accounting for the Economist Group Charitable Trust and Economist Educational Foundation
• Accounting for investment holding companies

Experience, skills and professional attributes

• Education and training

- Strong academics

- Qualified Accountant

• Previous work experience 

- Significant experience managing accounting functions including qualified accountants

- Technical accounting role

- Building and structuring accounting teams

• Technology

- ERP knowledge, Peoplesoft (an advantage)

• Languages

- English

• Key skills 

- Analytical approach to problem solving 

- Managing teams

- Attention to detail

- Strong review and reconciliation skills

- Development of processes

- Communication

- Developing relationships with internal and external contacts

- Motivating colleagues

• Personal attributes

- Commitment to quality and timely service delivery

- Hands-on approach

- Ability to multi-task and prioritize

- Pro-activity and responsiveness

- Consultative

- Making appropriate judgments

• Interpersonal skills

- Clear communicator of views and opinions

- Ability to build networks and work with stakeholders and in teams

- Sensitivity in providing views  

- Assertion

- Clear communicator of views and opinions

Performance Measures:

• Ability of the team to deliver high quality accounting in line with timelines
• Relationships with key internal and external stakeholders
• Team motivation levels 
• Colleague turnover
• Clarity of instructions issued and receptiveness of colleagues to communications.
• Strong control environment 

The Economist Group values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We welcome applicants regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, gender identity, race, colour, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, age or marital status.