Group Finance Assistant Manager – Kingswood, Surrey recruitment

It was established in 1969 and manages all significant asset classes for institutional and retail investors in long-term savings products. Fidelity and its subsidiaries employ over 5,400 people in 23 countries managing US$255.9 billion worldwide.

Fidelity’s investment style relies on fundamental research of companies and a strict bottom-up portfolio construction discipline. This means Fidelity’s analysts and portfolio managers look closely at a company’s balance sheet and future plans; meet regularly with and question its management; and then speak to its competitors, suppliers, customers and anyone else who might give them information that helps to assess whether the investment is a good one. Every investment in every portfolio is selected on its merit and ability to contribute to a better return.

The same can be said of its employees, who are encouraged to take intelligent risk in order to make small improvements that cumulatively improve the business. Fidelity is independent, not a subsidiary of a big bank or other institution, and is privately owned. This means that it can take long-term investment decisions rather than chase the next quarterly results as a listed company might. Fidelity believes its independence is a considerable advantage that benefits its customers. 

As well as investment management, Fidelity distributes the funds of other managers through its FundsNetworkTM platform, administers pension schemes, and has interests in various other enterprises in Europe and Asia. For further information please visit www.fidelityrecruitment.com

About Group Finance - Property

The FIL group owns a number of properties in the UK and overseas in continental Europe and Japan. These combine a mixture of properties occupied by the company for business purposes and property owned for investment and future redevelopment. The team consists of four people, including this role – a newly created role following a reorganisation of responsibilities within the team, and reports to the Group Finance function.

Purpose of your role

This role focuses on the financial control and reporting for these properties, currently consisting of property companies (including the holding structure) and adjustment and consolidation ledgers, in conjunction with the team based in India.

It will be an extremely varied role due to the number of jurisdictions in which the properties and companies are located; covering management accounts, tax compliance, budgeting, forecasting and numerous ad hoc requirements.

Your key accountabilities

• Ensuring day-to-day finance tasks are undertaken in an accurate and efficient manner, including maintaining cash book, and preparing monthly accounts to trial balance.

• Liaising with the finance team in India, asset managers and advisors, external accounting service providers and external property managers.

• Managing the month end management accounts process with India.

• Preparation of budgets, forecasts and management reports, as required.

• Cash management, ensuring that interest on funds is maximised.

• VAT and tax compliance.

• Maintenance and support of the property accounting ledger, Yardi, and interface with the main FIL accounting ledger, JDE.

• Assisting with the preparation and audit of year end financial statements.

• Ad hoc project work, to include extending the implementation and use of the property accounting ledger.

Key Competencies

• Excellent communicator, both written and oral.

• Able to prioritise, plan and organise effectively to meet tight deadlines.

• Self motivated, resilient, energetic with strong attention to detail.

• Flexibility to work in a changing environment.

• Team player, used to working flexibly with colleagues.

• A mature and professional presence.

Qualifications Experience

• Either qualified by experience in accounting or part qualified (ACCA/CIMA/AAT or other, or non-UK equivalent).

• Strong Microsoft Excel skills essential.

• Experience of working in a team to tight deadlines.

• Knowledge of VAT and tax, preferably with experience of completing VAT and tax returns.

Desirable skills

• Property finance knowledge.

• Knowledge of Yardi and/or JDE would be a distinct advantage.

• Experience of working in a large international company.