Head - Management Accounting - Telecom

Head Management Accounting

ROLE PURPOSE

- Finance Operations are undergoing a period of significant change. In addition to having recently implemented a new SAP ERP system and commenced working with a new Shared Service Centre (SSC) in Pune, India, Finance Operations are now helping to shape the future of Vodafone’s Finance Operations globally, whilst continuing to support the UK business as it regains its ‘no 1’ position in the UK market.

- This role is responsible for all accounting for both the UK’s & Vodafone Group’s (“VGS”) Overhead (opex) & Capital Expenditure (capex). As such this role requires close liaison with senior management within both the UK & VGS to ensure the reported numbers are accurate and robust. Further to this, a close working relationship needs to be maintained with the SSC in Pune to ensure that all accounting entries are correctly processed. By providing accurate, timely and reliable information on the business’ cost structure we play an essential part in the company’s opex reduction strategy.

- The successful candidate will demonstrate the influencing skills needed to build effective relations with the UK, VGS & SSC, the ability to lead a large team in a changing environment and a passion for process improvement.

Role Purpose:

- To lead the OCM team to ensure appropriate financial controls and integrity over all areas of Opex & Capex in relation to UK & VGS. The individual will be expected to drive appropriate operational and month-end reporting, lead the provision of value add insight and identification of financial risks upon the P&L and provide inputs to the forecasting process. This role will work directly with staff based in the UK and also with the SSC in Pune. The role is accountable for all areas of Opex & Capex

Essence of Role – Key Accountabilities

Month end closure process

- Ensure the timely and accurate completion of month end Opex & Capex accounting (including all aspects of depreciation).

- Ensure balance sheet reconciliations are completed on a monthly basis to a high standard. Perform monthly review and identify key risks and opportunities.

- Ensure SOX controls are maintained, including formal annual sign-off.

- Ensure adherence to UK and Group accounting policies and review/update specific policies on timely basis.

- Work to support the SSC to ensure they are compliant with all controls.

Reporting

- Production of the UK month end opex & capex pack in accordance to relevant SOX controls.

- Provision of value add insight regarding the reported and underlying performance of the UK business.

- Accountable for the delivery of the UK’s monthly Cost Centre manager reporting suite.

- Work closely with the UK Cost PMO to fully understand month end reporting and drive synergies.

- Liaison with FDS to relay in period & YTD financial performance .

- Identify any risks & opportunities arising from the monthly results & feed into the UK forecasting process.

Relationship Management

- Manage the day to day relationship with the key stakeholders across the UK, VGS & SSC.

- Ensure all SLA’s of the SSC are adhered to.

Benchmarking

- Integral to the preparation of ‘actuals’ information for benchmarking activities such as AT Kearney.
Promote continuous process improvement culture

- Promote a continuous process improvement culture within the OCM Finance team.

- Identify and drive key process improvements within own team and across wider functions including the SSC.

- Deliver to agreed project deadlines including appropriate level of planning/integration.

Stakeholder relationships

- Establish strong working relationships with key stakeholders within the UK, VGS and the SSC

- Own and proactively manage key relationships with partners.

People management

- Ensure effective team structure is maintained with clear roles and accountabilities.

- Complete PDs including setting objectives and agreeing personal development plans on timely basis.

- Coach and develop team members on an on-going basis.

- Proactively manage resources and provide ad-hoc support to team.

Finance Operations Leadership

- Contribute to the strategic direction and leadership of the UK/VGS Finance Operations team

ROLE DIMENSIONS

Typical Outputs -

People Interfaces

- Financial (limits/mandates etc.)

- Opex reporting circa £1bn pa

- FTE reporting circa 7900

- Capex reporting circa £0.6bn pa

Non-financial (customers/staff etc)

- External Business Partners customers and suppliers

- Commercial Business Units

- Regulatory and Legal

- SOX and Internal / External Audit

- Finance Decision Support teams

- Finance Operations - team

- Team – of c 25

- SSC

Typical Outputs

- Month end accounts

- Month end cost centre manager reporting ,

- Identification of financial risks and opportunities

- Balance sheet reconciliations, SOX controls, etc Develop strong professional relationships with Finance Decision support teams and Finance Directors of Group Technology and Group Commercial

- Present results and KPI’s on a regular basis to departmental Senior Management

- Develop high performing team in FSSC through continuous engagement

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

ESSENTIAL/DESIRED

- Certified Accountant (CA / CWA/ACCA) with 15+ years of relevant experience post-qualification in Shared Services or Core telecom industry

- Proven ability to influence and manage stakeholders at senior level

- Significant People Management experience essential; previous experience of leading and managing a large team desirable

- Previous experience of transactional processing areas desirable

- Demonstrable experience of leading teams through change desirable

- Working knowledge of SAP and Oracle Financials beneficial

COMPETENCY MAP

GLOBAL PERFORMANCE DRIVERS -

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

- Ability to deliver results against tight and complex timelines

- Experience of SAP and Cognos an advantage but not essential -

- Managed change

- Knowledge of S404 and internal controls an advantage -

- Reliable, dependable

Qualified accountant (CIMA or ACA) desirable -

- Works collaboratively with others

- Customer focused

- Service oriented

- Enthusiastic

- Solutions oriented

- Pro-actively manages relationships to provide best in class service experience to Vodafone Local Markets

Contact - saanvari.malhotra@abcconsultants.in