Consolidation and Financial Systems Specialist

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group, is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies for aviation, ports & borders, defense, and urban security. Our expertise is spread across 5 R&D centers, 21 Global Offices and 7 Manufacturing Sites with 3000 Brilliant minds globally contributing for over 40 years at the frontline which enables us to deliver the solutions needed to protect our society from any threat and illegal passage of explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals, and narcotics. Every minute of every day, our technology and talented team members help to make the world a safer place - https://youtu.be/JmcKLJTrHLc

We are open to this role being based at either HQ Hemel Hempstead or London Blackfriars

The individual will be part of the Business Solution team for the Division, in particular, the process owner and SME for the Division’s consolidation system (Onyx) Oracle Hyperion. They will ensure the process is suitable and continuously look for ways to improve and make it more efficient for monthly submission and consolidation. They will be the functional lead to steer and support to our local teams during submission (and other times) when required. 

 

The individual will work closely with the Head of Business Solutions, the Divisional Financial Controller, the global finance team, and IT support teams.

• Process Ownership and Governance• Process Driver: Define the financial reporting consolidation mechanism, how the process and it provides the global deliverables, where the value lies for our internal customers, and hence what good should/could look like.
• Business Engagement: Engaging key stakeholders who are responsible for, and are customers of the process today to understand pain points, areas of improvement etc.
• Documentation and Standards: responsible for creation and maintenance of Process documentation, policies, controls, desktop procedures.
• Governance: Put in place the right measures, metrics and review forums to manage the ongoing performance of the process. Create processes and controls to manage change requests. Manage and resolve divergences to standard process.

 

• Design and Improvements• Identifying source systems for manual data enhancements and improving mapping to eliminate the need for manual intervention in monthly and half yearly reporting including supplementary analysis.
• Design and manage functional dimensions and maximise opportunity for appropriate granularity that is fully utilised and consistent across entities to harmonise reporting and all new accounts are properly populated (e.g. split of other payables/receivables, bonus analysis, full suite of KPIs), with any further enhancements, or developments identified.
• Designing and implementing the strategic plan process into Onyx to improve quality of longer-term business plans and enabling scenario and what-if sensitivities.
• Continuously identifying and implementing improvement opportunities to enhance Onyx and make process more efficient and easier for our entities. (e.g. speeding up consolidation time, rebuilding forms to make more user friendly)
• Evaluation of all changes, including verification that there is no undesirable financial impact on the reporting, and the financial integrity of the consolidation system remains intact
• Ensuring budgeting, forecasting and actual reporting is embedded across all entities, (using full benefit of approval and version control within Onyx) and ensuring maximum use of functionality available where applicable, including trend and driver-based planning, target setting and what-if analysis.
• Reviewing the current reporting of KPIs in Onyx and analysis performed, with a view to identifying improvements and updating based on definition changes

 

• Over month end close• Being the SME for all Onyx (Oracle Hyperion) related issues
• Providing functional support to all entities across the Division over the month end period.
• Supporting and resolving validation issues during the submission process, meaning entities submit monthly results in a timely manner

 

• Outside of month end close• Being the SME for all Onyx issues and providing functional support to all entities across the Division. Including, but not limited to, answering questions on mapping updates, and analysis of data issues to determine if a process fix, data fix, or process re run is required.
• Validating BAU requests to ensure they align with strategic plan for Onyx reporting and are the best way of achieving the BAU goal
• Ensuring that BAU changes are requested in full format and set up properly, meaning that new accounts, functions, and hierarchy changes are maintained and mapped correctly in Onyx.
• Ensuring testing is adequately performed after any change to Onyx has been made.  
• Managing improvements and changes to Onyx so that their implementation is successful, and they don’t cause undesirable impacts elsewhere

• Provide support for other ad hoc requests and projects as identified

Education:

• Qualified Accountant with a Professional Financial Qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA, or equivalent)
• Educated to degree level or equivalent

 

Experience:

• Strong group consolidation experience, deep systems expertise (ideally Onyx or similar), and the technical and analytical mindset to own and continuously improve the divisional financial reporting system
• Expert in financial reporting and consolidation systems, experienced in managing the consolidation of multiple entities (Oracle Hyperion EPM highly desirable)
• Strong financial understanding, including accounting requirements and comfortable navigating between primary statements, back up schedules and double entries with experience to explain to understand and explain direct and indirect transaction flows
• Experience of designing and implementing process change

 

Knowledge/Skills/Other attributes:

• Excellent communication skills and conversing fluently in English both written and verbally, and ability to explain complex issues to stakeholders.
• The ability and motivation to solve unique and complex problems.
• Logical and critical thinking skills to appraise solutions and ensure they are fit for purpose
• Ability to think clearly, be organized and execute effectively.
• Systems accountant mindset and ability to understand how a system is designed and structured so that data is picked up reported correctly
• Confidence in challenging senior partners and, holding partners accountable for action plan delivery.
• Influencing and leadership skills: grounded experience of building, developing, and sustaining relationships with key partners at all levels.
• Structured and logical problem solver; ability to communicate effectively at all levels, written and verbal.
• Self-starter who possesses the ability and drive to operate independently; high energy level, intellectual curiosity, and strong work ethic with a commitment to continuous improvement in adynamic and changing environment.
• Team player with ambition and self-motivation, with the ability to engage, challenge and work effectively with others, and to coach people in a matrix organisation

 

Planning and Decision Making:

• Identifying and leading improvement designs to implementation
• Ensuring proposed changes to system are fit for purpose
• Strong organisational skills, able to cope with different tasks and deadlines at the same time.
• Responsibility for planning own work, within given priorities and procedures, and meet deadlines.
• The individual will need to liaise with a wide range of stakeholders and should be confident in communicating to a wide range of stakeholders with varying seniority.

Impact and Scope: 

• Driving the success of the consolidation system used within the Division
• Key in achieving the continuous improvement and process efficiencies.

To find out more about life at Smiths Detection check out our LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/smiths-detection/ and follow our story

Join us for a great career and competitive compensation & benefits whilst keeping the world a safer place.

Diversity & Inclusion:

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (www.smithsdetection.com/careers)

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)