Financial Reporting & Operations Controller

Are you passionate about accounting and people? Do you enjoy leading others and being responsible for the direction, execution and performance of core accounting deliverables and your team? Are you ready to work at and protect one of the most valuable and iconic brands in the world? This is an exciting opportunity to lead the UK & Ireland Financial Reporting and accounting operations, executing McDonald's strategy, driving business growth, and upholding UK GAAP and US GAAP standards and practices within the Global Business Services (GBS) Finance organization and providing service excellence throughout the RTR and ATR functions. Global Business Services mission is to 'make a better McDonald's' by accelerating the delivery of our vision and strategy by employing 3 'game changers': Customer Experience, Continuous Improvement, and Intelligent Automation. What will my accountabilities be?

• Responsible for the integrity and timely delivery of regulatory and statutory reporting of all our UK entities under UK GAAP and Irish entity under Irish GAAP and internal reporting under US GAAP.
• Oversee period-end close activities and deliverables, collaborating cross-functionally & with business partners and the Corporate Controller Group.
• Management of the relationships with auditors, and for pensions, insurance, banking, and consumer payments.
• Ownership of the cash management practices, policies, relationships with banks and equivalent institutions for day-to-day transaction and reconciliation process to mitigate fraud and optimise commercials across McDonald's Estate.
• Lead the development and implementation of effective internal controls, Finance & Accounting practices in accordance with local and US standards/Sarbanes Oxley delivering a robust controls environment.
• Actively manage department budget and value creation for projects within direct scope, including cash, general ledger, fixed assets, and reporting.
• Drive alignment, achievement, and delivery of GBS goals with McDonald's global and local market objectives.
• Proactive and engaging leadership that serves to protect the McDonald's brand through collaboration and influence with other McDonalds departments to drive long-term value and resolve short term risks or issues.
• Establish strategies to identify process deficiencies, enable improvements, monitor, and report on compliance in order to mitigate business risk.
• Act as a steward to uphold and evolve internal and external compliance environment, certifying control effectiveness, facilitating audits, and achieving 95% SOX control pass-rate for owned process.
• Act as a mentor and coach, supporting development and career progression and creating an inclusive environment with robust talent pipeline.
• Support in the design and implementation of cloud ERP, global finance, and transformation projects
• Cultivate a team of high performance/high potential individuals. Developing skills and capabilities to deliver in-scope services and plan for future opportunities, automation, and elevating experience.
• Foster a high-performance culture by actively mentoring and developing team members, ensuring continuous professional growth and engagement.
Qualifications: The successful applicant will be a Qualified Accountant (ICAEW/ACCA/ICAS) with in-depth knowledge and technical expertise in Finance & Accounting including:
• People Management: Adept at managing large teams inc development and management.
• Close process: executing efficient, accurate and timely close process.
• Audits: project managing internal and external audits; acting as lead point of contact.
• Statutory accounts: preparation under UK GAAP or IFRS.
• Accounting Errors: Identification, correction, and prevention
• People Management: Experienced in leading and developing both transactional & professional Finance teams.
• Customer Service: Management, review, and resolution of escalations
• Tech Savvy: Proficient with PowerPoint, Excel, Cloud / Collaboration technologies
  
  Detail orientated: able to thrive in a complex, agile, fast paced business environment.
• Influential storyteller: provides impactful insight to engage and partner with business.
• Trusted Leadership capability: proficient at leading others, prioritisation, planning and talent development with resilience and curiosity to ensure service delivery excellence.
• Proven collaborator: listens to and acts on customer feedback, ensures services deliver value outcomes.
Desirable Experience:
• Understanding of US GAAP
• System implementation (SAP / Oracle etc)
• Experience gained within a large, complex matrix organisation - US or International
• Audit Practice experience
  
  McDonald's UK & Ireland has a proven track record of investing in the development of its employees and offering flexibility as part of its dedication to being a modern and progressive company. Every year, it invests over £40 million in developing people, giving every one of its employees the opportunity to take part in structured training.
We're a people business just as much as we are a restaurant business. We strive to be the most inclusive brand in the world by building diverse teams who create delicious, feel-good moments that are easy for everyone to enjoy. Joining McDonald's means thinking big every day and preparing for a career that can have impact around the world. Company Vision and Culture McDonald's is defined by its culture. Our culture shapes and informs everything we think and everything we do. Our culture influences the way we interact with each other, and how we interact with customers, franchisees, and suppliers. Our culture motivates and inspires us to attract and retain great talent, creating positive, energising, exceptional working environment for us all., At McDonald's we are People from all Walks of Life... People are at the heart of everything we do, and they make the McDonald's experience. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture that means people can be their best authentic self in our restaurants and offices, which helps us to better serve our customers. We have a strong heritage of diversity and representation within our communities, which we are proud of. The diversity of our people, customers, Franchisees and suppliers gives us strength. We do not tolerate inequality, injustice or discrimination of any kind. These are hugely important issues and a brand with our reach and relevance means we have a very meaningful role to play. We also recognise our responsibility as a large employer to continue being active in our communities, helping to develop skills and drive aspirations that will help people to be more aware of the world of work and more successful within it, whether with McDonald's or elsewhere."