Job Description

Are you experienced in financial controls and risk management?
We have a fantastic opportunity to join our Financial Services team as Financial Control Manager. Based from our office in Basingstoke, you'll combine office and home working in line with our hybrid approach. There will be some travel required to our offices in Wembley once a week.
SNG is one of the largest housing associations in England. We provide over 85,000 homes and invest in communities across London, the South East, South West and East of England, as well as aiming to create thousands of new affordable homes every year.
The role
Reporting into our Group Financial Controller, you'll lead the team responsible for SNG's financial controls, including adherence to SNG's financial regulations through the appropriate design of finance processes, systems and access to data. You'll ensure key risks associated with SNG's legacy finance systems, processes, data and reporting activities are appropriately mitigated in accordance with SNG's enterprise risk management framework.
You'll lead a small team responsible for maintaining and updating SNG's financial regulations, ensuring key finance systems and processes are designed to mitigate key financial risks. You'll be a key point of contact on financial control matters with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. internal Audit & Risk, External Auditors).
Responsibilities include:

• Being accountable for maintaining and proactively updating SNGs financial regulations policy, ensuring ongoing adherence to the latest accounting standards and regulatory requirements
• Accountability for providing assurance on key financial controls encompassing SNG financial systems, processes and data
• Working with the Assistant Director - Financial Transactional Services, Fixed Asset and Capital Accounting Manager and Head of Financial Accounting to develop and maintain a robust financial control framework for financial services activities across all SNG's legal entities
• Working with the Risk team to set up and maintain the financial services operational risk and control register, conducting periodic risk assessments and control reviews across key financial processes within Financial Services
• Leading the day-to-day management of legacy Finance system interfaces and transactions, and leading the transition to a new finance ERP system
• Proactively liaising with senior stakeholders across the business and their finance leads to ensure appropriate financial controls are in place to conform to latest accounting standards and regulations
• Managing the Financial Control team, providing clear direction, and promoting a culture of accountability, high performance, and continuous improvement

What we need from you
You'll be a fully qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA), with demonstrable experience in a similar financial control role. You'll also need:

• Extensive, clear working knowledge of implementing financial processes and controls covering financial services
• Knowledge of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as Agresso/Unit 4, Sun, Workday or similar accounting/ERP systems, including utilising these systems for financial reporting, analysis, and management
• Advanced knowledge of risk management and control principles and best practices, particularly in relation to financial accounting and compliance
• Experience of implementing changes required as a result of a large finance system transformation project, including process improvements, data migration and system integration
• Proven track record of senior stakeholder management, with the ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders and demonstrate strong influencing skills
• Experience in leading a team, providing guidance and supporting continuous development
• Understanding of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) 404 compliance and internal control frameworks (COSO) in a large complex organisation is desirable

Your Benefits
We have some great benefits at SNG, including:

• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
• Chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package
• 3 additional wellbeing days and 2 paid volunteering days
• Generous matched pension scheme up to 12% and Life cover at 4x salary
• Options for private medical insurance, dental insurance and critical illness cover
• Wellbeing discounts, including Gym Memberships and access to a 24/7 virtual GP service

At Sovereign Network Group, we are passionate about inclusion for all and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. We are committed to our Equality Diversity and Inclusion strategy and believe that you can truly be yourself at SNG. Take a look at our careers site to learn more about us and our values.
If you would like the opportunity to make a real impact within our changing and growing organisation, we would love to hear from you!

Skills Required