Senior Accountant, EIU

As the research and analysis division of the Economist Group, The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) helps leaders prepare for opportunity, empowering them to act with confidence when making strategic decisions.  The EIU is the global standard in providing quality, actionable intelligence to the public and private sector, assessing issues that impact the marketplace for over two hundred countries. 

The Senior Accountant role will lead the team of Accountants in providing timely reporting, budgeting and forecasting the results for EIU, and in ensuring that controls are maintained through P&L and balance sheet review.

The ideal person for the role will be comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and you will possess both a creative and logical approach to problem solving.  This opportunity will offer high level exposure both nationally and globally, requiring you to develop a deep understanding of the business. 

In the role you would be expected to:

• Take ownership of the monthly reporting for:
• Marketing direct costs and overheads
• Bad debts
• Sales commission accruals
• EIU central overhead departments
• Supervise the monthly reporting for EIU Research and EIU Consulting
• Variance analysis and control of relevant revenue and cost areas
• Assist in the monthly forecast and annual budget preparation
• Calculate monthly sales commission payments
• Provide analysis as required for the CFO, Deputy CFO, Conroller, Financial Analyst and business managers
• Maintain and improve controls, and ensure EIU balance sheets for all relevant divisions are fully reconciled
• Work in conjunction with other local and global Finance teams to drive best practice and consistent processes
• Work closely with the finance analyst teams of EIU to ensure a joined up approach to support the EIU businesses
• Assist in internal and external audit under different jurisdictions
• Maintain and develop relevant reporting models
• Map and document relevant finance processes
• Manage and develop a motivated and professional team of Accountants
• Ensure that sound accounting principles and practices are maintained, in line with statutory requirement, and that adequate internal controls and accounting policies are in place
• Provide and participate in cross training and documentation (creating and updating as needed)
• Conduct ad-hoc analyses and projects as requested

To succeed in this role you must have:

• B.Com/M.Com degree in Business/Finance/Accounting and professional accounting qualification (CA or equivalent)
• Post qualification accounting experience in commercial firms, including experience in both revenue and costs
• Experience working across the globe and with diversified teams
• Clear oral and written communication in English
• Strong understanding of accounting principles and policies, and be highly numerate
• Strong planning and control discipline advantageous
• The ability to deal with adversity and rapidly changing operating conditions while successfully maintaining controls
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft, Salesforce and QlikView are a plus

 You will be able to demonstrate:

• Clear thinking, practical and resilient
• A highly collaborative work style
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• The highest level of professionalism and personal integrity
• Strong leadership capability
• Strong inter-personal skills
• A passion for and proactive approach to continuous improvement, a strong sense of accountability
• Experience working within a fast-paced growth and dynamic  environment is preferred
• Strong propensity for action, including the ability to juggle multiple priorities
• Strong emphasis on detail, quality and accuracy, and with passion for detailed work
• Strong track record of process implementation and improvement
• Strong knowledge of finance and accounting principles, including the relationship between three financial statements
• Ability to meet deadlines and deliver results