Strengthening the Group internal control environment and statutory audit governance is a priority for management and the Board, the purpose of the Group Internal Control & Audit function shall be to drive the right balance between governance and efficiency in the internal control environment & audit to safeguard an organisation and further its objectives.

Reporting to the Group Director of Finance, with a dotted line to Group Head of Finance for statutory audit compliance, this role is part of a newly established team created to deliver the programme objectives, working across the Group to minimise risks and protect assets, ensure accuracy of records, promote operational efficiency, and encourage adherence to policies, rules, regulations, and laws.

Responsible for:

Core responsibilities

Internal Controls Program

• Lead the group-wide internal controls transformation and enhancement programme to support the business meeting requirements in readiness for UK Corporate Reform ("UK SOX") and Puig Group Policies.
• Working with Parent Company, Puig, implement and maintain a standardised financial control framework, enabling this through a group-wide technology platform, and driving remediation in a pragmatic and sustainable way identifying opportunities to standardise and automate processes to enable enhanced standards to be achieved efficiently and sustainability.
• Ensure business readiness and change is managed adequately for new ways of working, process changes, and systems changes introduced as part of the internal controls programme.
• Design and implement key metrics to manage the ongoing performance of the controls within the tooling, identification of risks, non compliance and areas of improvement.
• Develops internal control testing and assurance standards, plan, design and lead internal control reviews to validate control, policy and process compliance, reporting weaknesses, non-compliance and remediation plans to the Group Risk Committee

• Ensure internal control review and signoff on new or changes to existing policies/ processes / system developments, ensuring any changes or additions do not create new or undocumented risks nor circumvent existing internal controls and best practices.
• Work closely with other group function, to support policy and internal process definition, ensuring these are reflective, consistent and inclusive of key internal control and compliance requirements.
• Provide guidance, training to control owners and impacted functions across the group, ensuring sound understanding of internal control and compliance requirements.

Audit & Accounting Compliance

• Lead on Group and external audit engagement, managing audit risks, resources and timelines to ensure a robust and efficient Group and external audit process, accurate and timely presentation of financial statements and clear actions plan on any outstanding or highlighted issues.
• In conjunction with the Group Accounting & Reporting team, support the development and implementation of a CT Group Accounting Manual, ensuring the correct application of accounting standards and incorporation of internal controls.

Leadership and team management

• Recruit, manage and develop a team of two direct reports (Internal Controls & Audit Specialists) fostering high level of engagement, transparency & independence, business insight and continuous improvement culture.
• Take responsibility for thought leadership to ensure the function is kept abreast of regulatory and industry practices and standards as they evolve

Other

• Adhoc tasks as identified by Director of Group Finance within the scope of Internal Control, Accounting Compliance, Audit and continuous improvement.

Skills & attributes

• A born leader - you'll have experience inspiring, developing and leading a Global Finance function
• ACA accredited
• UK GAAP, FRS, IFRS knowledge and expertise
• Strong understanding of Processes, Policies and Internal Controls (COSO)
• Extensive knowledge of risks, processes, and internal controls within all main process areas.
• External / Internal Audit Management Experience, including drafting entity financial statement and consolidated financial statements.
• Highly organised and able to prioritise workload effectively within a scaling business
• Well presented, self-motivated with strong communication and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Netsuite (ERP), Microsoft Office including Word, Powerpoint and Excel
• Strong attention to detail
• Track record of process improvements
• Experience working and communicating with different levels and different teams
• Advanced excel skills
• Flexible & proactive, with an eagerness to learn

Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.