Accounting Manager

Collinson Group is a global leader in driving loyalty and engagement for many of the world’s largest companies. Predominantly through the provision of travel related benefits within a market leading digital travel ecosystem. The group offers a unique blend of industry and sector specialists who together provide market-leading experience in delivering products and services across four core capabilities: Loyalty, Lifestyle Benefits and Insurance.

The group provides unrivalled insight and expertise around affluent consumers and frequent travelers, creating and delivering products and services now accessible to over 400m end consumers.

We have more than 25 years’ experience, with 28 global locations, servicing over 800 clients in 170 countries, employing 1,800 people.

We have been bringing innovation to the market since inception – from launching the first independent global VIP lounge access Programme, Priority Pass to being the first to sell direct travel insurance in the UK through Columbus Direct and creating the first loyalty agency of its kind in the travel sector with ICLP. Today we still invest heavily in innovation to ensure that we continue to deliver superior customer experiences.

Key clients include: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, LATAM, Flying Blue, Accor, EasyJet, HSBC, Chase, HDFC.

Our mission is focused on doing good beyond profit, which for us means we seek out opportunities for our people to share in our success and that we give back to the communities and people within which we work.

Never short of ambition, the success of our business is delivered through the diverse and talented team of over 1,800 colleagues globally.

What does a Accounting Manager Do:

This role is part of the Global Controllership organisation, a team of 50+ dedicated and talented management and technical accountants that provide value added services to its stakeholders being commercial finance, operational management and key central functions such as Group Legal, Risk and Strategy teams. All transactional finance activities are carried out by our Shared Services centre located in Cape Town, South Africa and we work closely with them to ensure the timely and accurate production of financial data

Reporting to the Financial Controller, Americas, the role will support the Controller in providing accurate & timely financials to Commercial Finance and Operational leadership in the region as well as reporting into Group Finance within the UK. The role will provide oversight of two accountants.

What You'll Do:

• Assist in management and review of staff’s work and responsibilities
• In-depth P&L and Balance Sheet analysis – versus budget and prior periods
• Reviewing and approving balance sheet reconciliations
• Assist in credit card reconciliation and allocation
• Lead in the preparation of monthly management accounts and monthly management reports
• Work with our Shared services team in Cape Town in respect of AP and AR processes
• Lead the annual audit and yearend reporting into Group Finance
• Play an active role in the ongoing embedding of the new accounting software, Microsoft Dynamics
• Ensure accuracy of accruals, prepayments and other critical judgmental areas
• Support the wider Controllership team to ensure all transactions processed are accurate and complete and recorded in a timely manner
• Ensure compliance with all applicable accounting standards, adherence to Group accounting policies, procedures and systems, and other financial reporting requirements
• Handle ad hoc projects/analysis as assigned.

What You'll Need:

• Degree holder in Accounting or related field and qualified as a CPA.
• Working experience with an external audit firm (big four preferred)
• A minimum of 8 years post certification experience working in audit or at a large multinational organization
• Expertise in technical accounting under US GAAP ( UK GAAP exposure a plus)
• Experience in continuous process improvement in finance process and financial controls
• Strong analytical skills and an eye for detail
• Strong communication skills and ability to maintain good working relationships with regional and global finance teams
• Good communicator, meticulous and have an eye for details
• Able to priorities effectively and ability to handle multiple tasks
• Ability to work as part of a team and be collaborative
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office (particularly Excel, Pivot Table); hands-on experience with financial systems, accounting software
• Able to work in a dynamic environment under pressure and tight timelines
• Experience in leading an audit, providing audit evid