Global Director of External Reporting & Accounting

UK HQ, 40 High Street, Street, Somerset, United Kingdom

Job Description

This is a global role leading 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.

The 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.

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
• 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
• Preparation of consolidated group statutory accounts under IFRS (previously FRS102) including front half disclosures
• Subsidiary accounts under FRS101 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 complaint 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
• Continual review of processes to improve accuracy, efficiency and strengthen controls

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Qualified Chartered Accountant ACA, CA or equivalent qualification
• Significant experience and a proven track record in both financial management and corporate tax strategy roles
• Exposure to global operations, transfer pricing, and multi-jurisdictional tax compliance
• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution
• Managed audits, implemented internal controls, and overseen tax filings
• Advanced Excel, use of large ERP such as SAP and Oracle
• Managing complex financial and tax structures, resolving audits/disputes
• Comfortable working in dynamic, fast-paced environments

Clarks is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.