CoE Accountant

Job Description

This role is based in Colchester, UK office. You will be a critical part of the Finance Centre of Excellence (CoE), a global service provider supporting the wider finance shared services organization. The CoE is responsible for managing global, division‑agnostic processes to deliver enhanced quality, consistency, and scalability across financial operations.

Reporting to the CoE, this operational role requires a high‑performing individual who is accountable for providing accurate, high‑value, and consistent accounting services. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to excellence, embrace and drive change, and collaborate effectively with team members and business counterparts.

You must ensure that all company policies are adhered to. You must also ensure that duties are carried out within deadlines whilst providing an excellent level of service to all Informa customers and colleagues.

Informa takes the security and privacy of company, colleague and customer data seriously and you are responsible for working securely and supporting this within your duties.

We will require this person to commit to travelling to the Colchester office a minimum 2‑3 days a week.

• Take ownership of key accounting processes under CoE remit (including associated journal posting, reconciliations, queries and reporting)
• Perform and/or review all calculations, postings, and processes within your remit to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date balance sheets in Blackline, providing management with clear insights into assets and liabilities.
• Ensure all statutory and regulatory deadlines are met within your remit.
• Keep process documentation up‑to‑date and easily accessible for areas of responsibility.
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external auditors to meet compliance standards.
• Work closely with R2R, other SSC Towers and GBS internal & external stakeholders.
• Analyse and resolve ad hoc problems using a thorough understanding of business operations and systems.
• Provide support for special projects within the department, including testing new systems, developing processes, and participating in implementation initiatives.
• Assist with ad hoc duties as required to meet departmental needs.

• Train, support, and closely monitor the performance of the offshore BPO team responsible for supporting CoE activities, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and standards.
• Address any issues promptly, escalating concerns to management as necessary to ensure efficient resolution.
• Collaborate with the offshore BPO team to ensure ownership and accurate execution of key accounting processes under your remit, including journal postings, reconciliations, handling queries, reporting, and maintaining up‑to‑date documentation.
• Regularly review and validate the offshore team’s work to maintain high levels of accuracy and consistency.
• Role model productive working behaviours, fostering a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain open lines of communication with the offshore team, providing guidance and addressing challenges proactively.

• Actively identify opportunities for process and control improvements, with a focus on enhancing the customer experience.
• Play a pivotal role in testing and implementing new systems or processes, as well as supporting SSC‑wide projects initiated by Senior Managers or Global Process Owners.

• Strong academic background, Accounting degree preferable
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Solid knowledge and understanding of SSO processes and how these fit into the wider environment
• Knowledge of working in global business environment with sound understanding of global process and transactional flows
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of all processes including best practice in R2R, people, processes and technology
• Good working knowledge of dealing with mergers, acquisitions and disposals
• Good working knowledge of lean, Six Sigma or other continuous improvement methodologies preferred

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