Exciting opportunity alert! We are on the lookout for a new Head of Control to join our Finance Team at Wickes. This permanent senior role will be a vital part of the Finance Leadership Team, focusing on establishing a comprehensive framework for identifying and documenting material controls company-wide.
The role entails overseeing the finance team in documenting key financial controls and ensuring their ongoing efficiency. We are seeking a candidate with a solid background in risk assessment and control design, coupled with exceptional influencing and coaching abilities. These skills are pivotal in fostering engagement and accountability throughout the organisation.
Are you ready to take on this challenging yet rewarding role? Join us at Wickes and make a significant impact in shaping our financial control landscape.
Key Responsibilities:
Identify the suite of material controls across the business (not just finance) which are considered to mitigate the ‘Principal Risks’ disclosed publicly (and underpinned by Corporate Risk Register)
Work with wider stakeholders to review Corporate Risk Register to ensure the risks, and the linked mitigating controls, are complete / accurate and are attached to an accountable business owner
Assemble key project resources, specifically undertaking an RFP for selection of Controls Management Software (CMS) and recruitment of 2 Controls Specialists. Identify and support network of Company control owners for material controls
Implement the CMS, underpinned by clear and consistent documentation standards and capturing accountabilities / responsibilities for each ‘material control’. Develop training material and comms plan for Company wide system users
Drive the documentation of business wide material controls and finance key controls, including monitoring the remediation of gaps, ensuring they are captured in line with the documentation standards.
On an ongoing basis monitor documentation to ensure that it remains current, for example to consider changes arising from the IT Transformation Plan (or other business wide projects)
Develop an assurance approach for each material control, as well as for finance’s wider population of key controls.
Oversee execution of assurance activity on an ongoing basis, liaising with the related testing resources (such as Internal Audit) to refine the testing plan where appropriate and to monitor testing outcomes.
Maintaining the CMS to ensure risks and controls are updated. Monitoring ongoing compliance of all material / key controls
Prepare reporting to key stakeholders, including Executive Committee, Audit & Risk Committee and Finance Leadership Team
What are we looking for:
A- Level or equivalent experience. Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or similar)
Documenting processes and controls
Assessing control design and operating effectiveness; Identifying appropriate remediation for control deficiencies
Assessing the completeness and accuracy of a Company’s risk register, including the appropriateness of selected mitigating controls
User of Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) software
Proven ability to prioritise, meet deadlines and follow through to completion on projects, requests and tasks
Good understanding of change management principles, techniques and tools
Ability to identify, engage and tailor communication to the relevant stakeholders
Ability to interrogate concepts and ideas with effective questioning to ensure understanding and clarity of direction
What can we offer you?
You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us.
We’ll also equip you with a benefits package that includes
Competitive bonus
Save-as-you-earn scheme
Private Medical Healthcare
Contributory pension scheme
Colleague discount
Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme
Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.
By giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you. We are giving you a career that doesn’t put your life on hold. Where you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day.
We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office working.
About Us:
Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.
But it is the Wickes culture that we are really proud of it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.
