Head of External Reporting

We’re seeking an experienced Head of External Reporting to join our Corporate Reporting team and lead AJ Bell’s annual reporting cycle.

This role is perfect for a proactive, established leader with deep technical expertise and strong influence at senior levels. You’ll need a thorough understanding of financial principles, robust leadership abilities, and the skill to clearly communicate complex financial and technical information to senior stakeholders.

As a key contributor within a growing FTSE 250 business, you will shape the Group’s reporting, processes, and policies. We're looking for someone who thrives on challenges, demonstrates thought leadership, and can build effective relationships across the finance team and the wider business.

What are the key responsibilities?

Reporting:

• Maintain a robust external reporting framework aligned with regulatory obligations and business goals.
• Ensure timely, accurate production of the Group’s Annual and Interim Reports.
• Oversee the Group consolidation process and shape the external messaging of the Annual Report & Accounts.
• Manage relationships with external design partners.
• Review subsidiary financial statements under FRS101.
• Prepare and review period-end papers for the Audit Committee/Board.
• Advise on implications of new or changing accounting standards and regulations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate the external audit process, ensuring all reporting deadlines are met.
• Fully define and document all external reporting processes.

ESG & TCFD:

• Ensure compliance with TCFD requirements, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions calculations for the Group and Investments business.
• Collaborate with Risk on risk assessments, scenario analysis, and net-zero target setting.
• Oversee the timely production of the quarterly dashboard and annual Board update.
• Lead the drafting of the annual ESG report, incorporating TCFD elements.
• Participate in the ESG working group, presenting relevant papers.
• Stay informed on current and emerging sustainability standards.

Financial reporting controls:

• Identify, control, and manage risks within the area.
• Maintain a strong control environment with clear escalation processes for issues outside tolerance.
• Develop and implement financial policies and procedures.

Staff management:

• Oversee the Statutory Accounts and Corporate Reporting teams, ensuring an optimal operating model and active succession plans.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the external reporting team.

What you'll have:

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with at least 5 years PQE.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Deep knowledge of financial reporting standards, consolidations, and plc statutory reporting.
• Skilled in interpreting complex financial data and technical accounting issues.
• Strong judgment, critical thinking, and sound decision-making.
• Excellent relationship-building abilities across all levels.
• Thrives in fast-paced environments, meeting tight deadlines.
• Relevant experience, ideally in a regulated industry; audit experience essential.
• Strong communicator with excellent written and verbal skills.
• Experience in Board/Executive reporting in a listed or equivalent setting.
• Exceptional problem-solving, technical skills, and attention to detail.
• Highly organised with strong project management skills.
• Flexible, motivated, and detail-oriented.

About Us

AJ Bell is one of the fastest-growing investment platform businesses in the UK offering an award-winning range of solutions that caters for everyone, from professional financial advisers, to DIY investors with little to no experience. We have over 542,000 customers using our award-winning platform propositions to manage assets totalling more than £86.5 billion. Our customers trust us with their investments, and by continuously striving to make investing easier, we aim to help even more people take control of their financial futures.

Having listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange in December 2018, AJ Bell is now a FTSE 250 company.

Headquartered in Manchester with offices in central London and Bristol, we now have over 1,450 employees and have been named one of the UK's 'Best 100 Companies to Work For’ for six consecutive years and in 2024 named a Great Place to Work®.

Our Perks And Benefits

• Competitive starting salary
• Starting holiday entitlement of 27 days, increasing up to 31 days with length of service and a holiday buy and sell scheme
• A choice of pension schemes with matched contributions up to 8%
• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Annual free share awards scheme
• Buy As You Earn (BAYE) Scheme
• Health Cash Plan – provided by SimplyHealth
• Private healthcare scheme and dental plan
• Free gym membership, with an on-site gym providing a wide range of free classes
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Bike loan scheme
• Sick pay+ pledge
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and shared parental leave
• Discounted nursery fees at Kids Planet on Exchange Quay
• Loans for travel season tickets
• Death in service scheme
• Paid time off for volunteer work
• Charitable giving opportunities through salary sacrifice
• Calendar of social events, including monthly payday drinks, annual Christmas party, summer party and much more
• Parking at Exchange Quay
• Personal development programmes built around you and your career goals, including access to personal skills workshops
• Talent development programmes
• Ongoing technical training
• Professional qualification support
• Peer recognition scheme, with rewards including restaurant and shopping vouchers or time off
• Monthly leadership breakfasts and lunches
• Casual dress code
• Access to a range of benefits from our sponsorship deals

Hybrid working

At AJ Bell, our people are the heart of our culture. We believe in building strong connections by working together. That's why we offer a hybrid working model, where you’ll spend a minimum of 50% of your working time per month in the office. For new team members, an initial period will be full-time in the office to help you immerse yourself in our business and build valuable relationships with your colleagues.

AJ Bell is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and all employees are empowered to bring their whole self to work.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, religion, physical and mental disability, marital status and any other characteristics protected by the Equality Act 2010. All decisions to hire are based on qualifications, merit and business need.

If you like the sound of the above, or just want to know more about the company and the role, we'd love to speak to you.