Finance Transformation Lead

Finance Transformation Lead

Posted 6 days ago by Buro Happold

Negotiable
Undetermined
Hybrid
Bath, England, United Kingdom

Summary: The Finance Transformation Lead will spearhead the global finance and operational transformation team in response to changes in UK accounting standards, specifically FRS 102, with a focus on long-term contract revenue recognition. This role requires a qualified finance professional to implement necessary policy, control, process, and systems changes while collaborating with various teams across the organization. The ideal candidate will thrive in change-led environments, providing both strategic oversight and hands-on delivery. Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills are essential for embedding sustainable change within the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the critical workstream associated with the FRS 102 transition, focusing on revenue recognition.
  • Identify and implement policy, control, process, and systems changes in line with accounting standards.
  • Engage and influence senior stakeholders to embed sustainable change.
  • Ensure alignment with compliance, audit, and accounting standards.
  • Work with the Business Systems team to ensure correct configuration and design for validation and testing.
  • Direct team members in modeling the impact of changes on comparative data, budgets/forecasts, and KPIs.
  • Develop and roll out communication and training strategies.
  • Support project management to align key deliverables between Finance, IT, and Project teams.

Key Skills:

  • Qualified CIMA/ACCA/ACA.
  • Strong technical accounting background in IFRS or UK GAAP (FRS 102).
  • Experience in accounting standard transition/adoption projects such as IFRS 15.
  • Experience in finance operations, financial close, and reporting.
  • Ability to engage stakeholders for successful change implementation.
  • Strong problem-solving and strategic thinking skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and meet tight deadlines.
  • Confident and proactive character, able to work unsupervised.
  • Experience with Unit4 accounting system and Deltek Vantagepoint is desirable.

Salary (Rate): undetermined

City: Bath

Country: United Kingdom

Working Arrangements: hybrid

IR35 Status: undetermined

Seniority Level: undetermined

Industry: Other

Detailed Description From Employer:

We are looking for a hands on, qualified finance professional to lead the global finance and operational transformation team formed as a result of the upcoming changes in the UK accounting standards, FRS 102. The main area of focus being long term contract revenue recognition. The role will include identifying and implementing any associated policy, control, process and systems changes which will include with strong collaboration with the global finance, IT, commercial and legal and operational teams. This is a fantastic opportunity for an interim professional who thrives in change-led environments and can bring both strategic oversight and hands-on delivery. Timely identification and implementation of any policy, control, process and systems changes in line with the accounting standard requirements that are fit for purpose operationally. Lead the critical workstream associated with the FRS 102 transition, with a particular focus on revenue recognition (UK GAAP equivalent of IFRS 15). Lead SME for the transition project advising on technical adoption of the associated changes. Lead the design, planning and execution of any required changes involving policies, controls, processes and systems. Engage and influence senior stakeholders across the business to embed sustainable change. Ensure alignment with compliance, audit, and accounting standards. Work with the Business Systems team to ensure that the solutions are correctly configured and designed in readiness for validation and testing. Direct team members modelling the impact of any changes for comparative data, budgets/forecasts and KPIs. Development and roll out of clear communication and training strategies. Support the project management team to align key deliverables between Finance, IT, and Project teams.

Qualifications Qualified CIMA/ACCA/ACA. Strong technical accounting background in IFRS or UK GAAP (FRS 102) Experience Experience of similar accounting standard transition/adoption projects such as IFRS 15 Experience of professional services or the construction industry would be an advantage. Experience in end-to-end finance processes such as finance operations, financial close and reporting Broad experience and knowledge of finance functions and experience with guiding and supporting strategic and tactical decision making. Ability to actively engage stakeholders to successfully implement change. Applied strategic thinking and complex problem solving. Strong team player and leader. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deal with finance and non-finance stakeholders. Experience in communicating and influencing senior stakeholders. Highly organised with the proven ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines. Confident, proactive character, with the ability to take the lead in challenging situations; able to work unsupervised and use own initiative. Positive and collaborative approach. Hands-on, delivery-focused approach - comfortable working at pace.

Desirable skills Experience of Unit4 accounting system would be useful but not essential. Experience of Deltek Vantagepoint would be an advantage but not essential.

Styles & Behaviours Creative thinker and problem solver - able to think strategically and also get into the detail. A good communicator and influencer Is able to secure other Buro Happold expertise/resources at the right time and can lead cross group meetings and events.

A place for everyone Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of the way you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers. Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive. We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions. Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.