Job Introduction
ABOUT HANDELSBANKEN:
Handelsbanken is a local relationship bank built on timeless and sustainable values. The Bank specialises in providing personalised banking services to both businesses and individuals, as well as wealth and investment management services through its UK subsidiary Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management. Handelsbanken operates a decentralised way of working, with a strong local presence due to a nationwide branch network and a long-term approach to customer relations. Each Handelsbanken branch operates as a small business enabling it to make decisions at a local level and provide a service that is bespoke, with the focus always being on the needs of each individual customer. Throughout the organisation, individuals enjoy wide-ranging responsibility, and the scope to pursue a unique career, within a culture of openness, equality and professionalism.
ROLE: Financial Controller
LOCATION: 3 Thomas More Square, London
REMUNERATION: Competitive + Benefits
ROLE OVERVIEW
UKTCE is the department within UKT with the functional responsibility for financial control, financial analysis and cost follow up of the IT area within Handelsbanken plc (HB plc). The department aims for high quality accounting reporting and to provide key information on financial control and IT cost follow up to facilitate informed management decision making as well as contributing to successful strategy implementation. This includes maintaining change portfolio financial information (costs and benefits) in order to facilitate financial tracking and reporting.
UKTCE's primary focus includes ensuring that the Bank´s financial control framework is embedded in the IT Operating model through clear internal steering processes and well defined financial roles and functions within the UKT department. The focus areas also includes having control over, and knowledge of, internal and external accounting of IT costs and ensure these are applied to within HB plc – this includes to ensure that the IT strategy is funded and achievable within current financial period.
UKTCE will ensure sufficient cost follow up of IT spend for HB plc, Management Information and other financial reporting is available to UK CIO and UKT Management team. The position also includes consulting and maintaining a close dialogue with Group IT regarding the overall area of IT Financial control within HB plc.
The Financial Controller will be responsible for MI, month end reporting and support for the general function.
Main Responsibility
- Ensure high cost awareness, cost control and efficiency in UKT
- Ensure the Handelsbanken steering system is maintained
- Responsible for MI, month end reporting and departmental surplus and deficit follow up;
- Preparation and follow up of internal costs recharged to the business
- Running efficiency initiatives, ensuring IT Finance as a function work as efficiently as possible with key stakeholders;
- Implementation of new accounting standard/policy;
- Requirement to assist with project demand as well as internal and external audit processes;
- Collate cost reports and financial updates from change initiatives to provide a portfolio level view of spend to date and forecast cost to complete;
- Provide support and guidance to change initiatives with development of financial trackers and financial verification of investment decisions;
- Prepare financial reports for onward reporting to various key committees
- Maintain internal financial control processes within the department
- Proactively work on establishing relevant and accurate cost reports as well as invoice processing
- Responsible for financial planning and analysis, forecasting and internal controls
- Report on local UK IT development costs to Group on regular basis
- Work actively with UKT reporting team on enhancing financial control competence and knowledge
- Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls
- Ensure quality control over financial transactions and financial reporting
- Additional controller duties as necessary
Development Potential:
Support and guidance will be provided though it is expected that the successful applicant will be sufficiently experienced to be largely self-sufficient very quickly.
This role will offer the successful applicant the opportunity to broaden their appreciation of how the Bank is run and operated. She / he /they will improve their network of colleagues and stakeholders.
The Ideal Candidate
- Highly analytical;
- Strong attention to detail;
- Sound knowledge of Financial control and analysis;
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft office tools, especially Excel, Access and Power Point;
- Structured work practise and a strong sense of administrative order;
- Strong communication skills;
- Experience of building reports and MI
- Sound knowledge of accounting fundamentals
- Experience within finance working with financial planning and forecasting
You must comply with 5 Conduct rules i.e.
- act with integrity
- act with due skill, care and diligence
- be open and co-operative with the FCA, PRA and other regulators
- pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly
- observe proper standards of market conduct.
Package Description
Competitive + Benefits
About the Company
Handelsbanken is a relationship bank with a decentralised way of working, a strong local presence thanks to a nationwide network of branches, and a long-term approach to customer relations. Each Handelsbanken branch operates as a local business enabling it to make decisions at a local level and provide a bespoke service. The focus is always on the need of the individual customer and not on the sale of specific products.
The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities. This is so that we are an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work that encourages everyone to apply, regardless of socio-economic background, age, disability, pregnancy and/or parental status, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), veteran status, marital and civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.