Manager, Financial Control

Overview

In this role you lead statutory reporting, audits and related governance within Pearson’s Global Financial Reporting & Control function. You will manage external audit activity, coordinate statutory reporting across multiple entities, and drive process improvements and automation in statutory reporting. You’ll partner with Group Financial Reporting, Tax, Treasury and business stakeholders to ensure timely, accurate financial statements and compliance across a complex international structure. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role that shapes how Pearson reports to regulators and markets.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary
• Flexible working
• Ongoing professional development
• 25 days annual leave (33 with scale-up option)
• pension plan
• private medical insurance

Responsibilities

• Lead statutory audit activity for a portfolio of entities and serve as primary contact for external auditors
• Manage end-to-end audit activities for the Group audit in collaboration with Group Financial Reporting, auditors and stakeholders
• Oversee statutory reporting timetable and ensure deadlines are met
• Prepare and review audited statutory financial statements per FRS 101, IFRS and local GAAP
• Review statutory accounts prepared by internal or external teams for accuracy and compliance
• Coordinate iXBRL tagging and HMRC submission requirements
• Liaise with auditors, regulators and advisers to handle external requests
• Provide technical accounting guidance on statutory reporting and standards interpretation
• Support legal entity restructurings from a statutory reporting perspective
• Maintain robust controls and documentation; contribute to governance and control environment
• Drive simplification, standardisation, automation and continuous improvement of statutory reporting and audit processes
• Support broader Financial Reporting & Control initiatives and transformation projects
• Build strong, cross-functional relationships with Finance and business stakeholders

Key requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Significant experience in statutory reporting and external audit management
• Strong technical accounting knowledge (FRS 101, IFRS, UK Companies Act)
• Experience preparing/reviewing financial statements for multiple legal entities
• Proven ability to manage external audit relationships and large-scale audit programmes
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Strong project management skills with multiple deliverables and priorities
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Experience with ERP and financial reporting systems

• stakeholder management
• communication
• project management
• FRS 101
• IFRS
• UK Companies Act requirements

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