Global Director of External Reporting & Accounting

This global role leads teams based in the UK and Malaysia. The Director is responsible for overseeing the integrity and accuracy of the company’s financial reporting, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and internal control policies. This role acts as a key liaison with auditors, regulatory bodies, and internal stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate statutory reporting, effective risk management, and robust financial governance. Also leads the organisation’s UK and international tax strategy, compliance and planning activities. This role ensures adherence to HMRC regulations while optimising the company’s tax position through effective risk management and strategic advice.

We have hybrid work arrangements and the office is based in Street, Somerset.

Occasional travel overseas is required 1-2 times a year.

Accountabilities

Accounting

• Manage month and year end close processes for GSSC and KLSSC accounting teams ensuring all inputs from the regions are received and reviewed ahead of close
• Attend Audit Committee meetings and prepare accounting judgement Audit Committee papers. Discussion with Audit Committee members on key items ahead of meetings
• Ownership of the Group Accounting Manual and compliance with relevant accounting standards across all regions
• Provide guidance to regional commercial finance teams regarding revenue recognition, timing of cost recognition and to ensure estimates for key areas including returns provisions and inventory provisions are in line with applicable accounting standards and correctly documented
• Support regional and central commercial finance teams during budget and forecasting process
• Calculation of covenant EBITDA and support Treasury team on covenant compliance and lender reviews
• Support projects to upgrade IT systems including sign-off of accounting treatment and testing performed by accounting team
• Balance sheet reconciliations
• Advise business on accounting matters for expansion projects both new channels and new territories. Make recommendations regarding structure and approach
• Continual review of processes to improve accuracy, efficiency and strengthen control

Reporting and Tax

• Monthly management consolidation of P&L, balance sheet and cash flow, including pack for submission to parent
• Preparation of consolidated group statutory accounts under IFRS (previously FRS 102) including front half disclosures
• Subsidiary accounts under FRS 101 or local GAAP to meet bank covenant and statutory filing deadlines
• Manage group, UK and overseas subsidiary audits. Ownership of the relationship with auditors including timetable and fees. Overseas subsidiary audits include US, Canada, Germany, Spain, Singapore, Malaysia, China
• Attend Audit Committee meetings to present group reporting, financial statements and tax updates
• Ownership of relationship with tax advisors. Responsibility for corporate and indirect tax compliance, ensuring all deadlines are met. Develop compliance plan for Pillar 2
• Structure global transfer pricing arrangements and ensure they are tax compliant and efficient
• Advise business on tax matters for expansion projects both new channels and new territories. Make recommendations regarding structure and approach
• Integration with parent company including cost category reporting alignment and timetable
• Support HR on Global Mobility matters
• Continual review of processes to improve accuracy, efficiency and strengthen controls

Skills, knowledge and experience

• Significant experience and a proven track record in both financial management and corporate tax strategy roles
• Experience in public accounting (e.g., Big Four)
• Exposure to global operations, transfer pricing, and multi-jurisdictional tax compliance
• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory environments
• Balanced mindset between risk mitigation and business growth
• Managed audits, implemented internal controls, and overseen tax filings
• Advanced Excel, use of large ERP such as SAP and Oracle
• Presenting to executives, stakeholder management
• Managing complex financial and tax structures, resolving audits/disputes
• High integrity and attention to detail
• Comfortable working in dynamic, fast-paced environments

About Clarks

Two brothers, a small town, and shoes that changed the world. Based in Somerset, England, Clarks has redefined shoemaking since its foundation in 1825, when James and Cyrus Clark made a slipper from sheepskin off-cuts and forever transformed the future of footwear.

Sparking revolutions and defining generations, our archive of over 25,000 shoes includes the inimitable Clarks Desert Boot and Clarks Wallabee. And every pair we design today uses the same ground-breaking combination of invention and craftsmanship that started it all.

Progress is woven into our DNA. Whether we’re pioneering cutting-edge comfort technologies, championing social change, or working on trailblazing collaborations with cultural icons and KOLs, we’re always striding forward.

Join us in 2025 as we celebrate 200 years of giving people the freedom to move comfortably, proudly commemorating our legacy of craft, innovation, and impact – and looking boldly ahead, too.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Accounting/Auditing and Finance

Industries

• Retail