Global Accounting Director (Maternity Cover)

Informa is a leading academic publishing, business intelligence, knowledge, and events business. Taylor & Francis is one of the world’s largest publishers of scholarly journals, books, e-books and reference works. Our purpose is to foster human progress through knowledge, encouraging robust debate and diverse perspectives to reach the best obtainable version of the truth.

What we offer in return

At Taylor & Francis we care about our colleagues, promoting work-life balance, wellbeing, and flexible working. You will join a thriving business and work with an exceptional group of people. We want you to have the opportunity to develop your abilities and to innovate in areas you are passionate about.

12 Month Maternity Cover Role

As the Global Accounting Director reporting directly to the CFO, this role is a key member of the Finance Leadership team. It is a high-profile position providing financial control and assurance through accurate data delivery while leading Order-to-Cash and Record-to-Report Finance teams. The Global Accounting Director will be the principal business partner to Group Finance, Global Support, Tax, and Internal Audit, responsible for developing a strategic vision and financial control roadmap for the Controllership function, including organisation design and budget management to build high-performing teams and a finance ecosystem built on quality data and technology solutions that drive informed decision making while balancing audit and internal compliance.

Responsibilities

• Financial Control and Accounting: Provide confidence that reporting is accurate through rigorous financial controls and processes, and deliver insights that help colleagues make informed decisions.
• Develop, document and implement robust processes and controls by conducting controls assessments and implementing remediations within the to-be process design.
• Measure and publish outcomes of the to-be processes post-completion and propose remedial actions for underperforming areas.
• Lead on all financial statements reporting (internal and external) in collaboration with Group Finance, ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
• Foster a culture of integrity with a disciplined, transparent Balance Sheet assurance; line management responsibility for the Overheads/Working Capital Accountant.

• Working Capital / Cash Flow reporting: Define and drive cash flow strategy with Group Treasury; monitor and balance cash inflows and outflows.
• Manage monthly working capital and cash flow analysis within the R2R team, providing analysis and commentary according to timetable.
• Manage the cash flow and working capital budget and forecast for the monthly full-year re-forecast; act as main business contact for the division(s).
• Identify cash flow targets for improvement and support delivery.

• O2C Key Accounts Leadership: Optimize cash collections and manage cash targets; lead the in-house O2C team (7 FTE) for core trade accounts; manage the BPO with performance targets aligned to credit terms and policies.
• Lead reporting of working capital data and metrics to Finance and non-Finance stakeholders; maintain positive relationships with key accounts.
• Oversee division bank accounts and minimise unallocated cash; ensure BPO results and projections are included in overall numbers; shape and monitor credit policy effectiveness.

• Team Management: Ensure consistent use of People Development tools, drive performance through planning, prioritisation, and development; foster an environment that values diversity and engages the team in setting objectives.
• Provide support and coverage for team members as needed.

• General Management: Escalate issues to senior management promptly; coordinate communications between SSO, Group Finance, and Business Teams; participate in acquisitions/due diligence; participate in SSO and departmental projects including process testing and systems work; liaise with auditors; assist in integrating new products into SSO accounting systems; solve ad-hoc problems using business and systems knowledge; lead education and knowledge transfer of cash flow and working capital across Global Accounting.

• Qualifications: A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong working capital experience; Advanced Excel skills; knowledge of TM1 or similar systems; strong understanding of O2C and R2R levers; solid experience in large multinational matrix organisations; proactive, collaborative, and detail-oriented with excellent communication and influencing skills; demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities across time zones; programme management skills.

We believe great things happen when people connect face-to-face. We work in-person three days a week or more, with flexibility to work from home or remotely when not in the office. Candidates should live within commutable distance of our offices to enable in-person collaboration, with a minimum of 3 days per week in-person time and at least one day per week in Milton Park, Oxfordshire; remaining in Milton Park or Colchester as needed.

If you have a disability or need an adjustment to participate in the hiring process or the role, please contact Emma Kelly. Your request will be handled confidentially.

Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa Business

Taylor & Francis is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity. If you need the application in a different format or need more time for questions, please let us know. Please contact us for flexibility. For more about our business and career opportunities visit our Careers Site.

We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and supporting your career development, and we encourage you to apply even if your experience does not exactly match every listed item. Our goal is to empower you with the resources, incentives, and flexibility to succeed at work and maintain a healthy, balanced life.