Group Accountant

About us:

SSP is a leading operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, with c.42,000 colleagues in over 600 locations across 37 countries. We operate sit-down and quick service restaurants, cafes, lounges and food-led convenience stores, principally in airports and train stations, with a portfolio of around 550 international, national and local brands.

These include our own brands Upper Crust, Millies Cookies etc. as well as franchise brands such as M&S, Starbucks and Burger King.

Our purpose is to be the best part of the journey, and this is underpinned by our aim to bring leading brands and innovative concepts to our clients and customers around the world, with an emphasis on great value, taste, quality and service.

About the role:

In this key role you will be responsible for supporting all 36 countries within the SSP group as well as Head Office company accounting.

Given the relatively wide geographical spread and large number of legal and reporting entities within the group, you also will play a key role in ensuring that monthly group reporting is accurately completed on time.

A key requirement of the role is to be able to work closely and effectively with both the in-country and group finance teams. This is particularly important during the half year and year end process, where you would support the Group Head of Financial Reporting and the Group Financial Reporting Manager to ensure that the external audit process runs smoothly and will assist in the preparation of the group consolidated statutory accounts.

What you’ll be doing:

• Reviewing the completeness and accuracy of IFRS 16 submissions on a monthly and quarterly basis working collaboratively with the relevant finance in0country teams to investigate unexpected items.
• Maintain accurate accounting records for the head office companies including intercompany interest and settlement interest and principal balances, production of monthly management accounts and reporting on any head office costs and recharges.
• Identify and own projects relating to improvements in the reporting process, including controls and systems.
• Completing analytical reviews of entities within the company, often in person, and producing reports for Group management identifying risks and findings from the review
• Research into technical accounting issues and preparation of accounting papers justifying policy positions for external auditors and divisions.
• Preparation of intercompany reports and elimination journals on a monthly basis and ensuring accuracy of intercompany reporting in the group consolidation system. This will include co-ordinating with UK and overseas finance teams to ensure any discrepancies are identified and resolved on a timely basis.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• ACA qualified accountant within the audit practice of a Big 6 firm.
• Experience of auditing complex consolidations with listed companies.
• Knowledge of the IFRS 16 standard.
• Strong systems proficiency, particularly the use of Excel spreadsheets.
• Knowledge of SAP, ALEA, Tagetik is a plus.
• Good business presentation and technical writing skills.
• Good communication skills, with interpersonal skills to be comfortable working with colleagues at all levels within the business.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Accuracy, attention to detail and strong self-review processes a pre-requisite for this role.

Belong at SSP:

Diversity and Inclusion is a priority at SSP. We are an equal opportunities employer committed to engaging all of our people, so they feel valued and motivated; we champion diversity, promote inclusion, and ensure equality.

We respect and protect human rights and prevent discrimination; and we positively impact our communities. We encourage and welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates regardless of background, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual identity and orientation or age.