Head of External Reporting

• Full Time Opportunity
• Sydney Based Role
• Assume a pivotal role within a first class finance function 

About the role:

Woolworths Group Finance is seeking an experienced Head of External Reporting to join our Group Finance Team. This role leads the external reporting team, responsible for the timely and accurate delivery of all external financial reporting to the ASX and reporting to the Audit and Finance Committee (AFC) and the Board (as required), including coverage of the recently issued Climate reporting requirements, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and disclosure requirements. 

The role also leads the external audit relationship, provides internal accounting advisory services across the Woolworths Group, including support for ad-hoc projects such as acquisitions, divestments, financing, and capital management transactions, and supports the ongoing development of internal controls and finance systems.

What you’ll do

You will manage a high performing team, based in Sydney and Adelaide, responsible for the preparation of the Group’s interim and Annual Report, Appendix 4D/4E, ASIC filings, statutory climate reporting,  analyst presentations, and other press releases, while being the primary responsible executive for the management of the external audit relationship and provision of internal accounting advisory services throughout the Woolworths Group. This will involve exposure to a variety of other ad-hoc projects.

• Provide technical advice to business units and maintain Group accounting policies to ensure ongoing compliance with Australian Accounting Standards across all business divisions.
• Responsible for performing impact assessment and implementation of new and revised accounting standards and interpretations (including the recently released Climate reporting requirements) as may be issued from time to time, including training and educating business unit finance teams.
• Ownership of the external audit relationship on all technical matters and in the completion of the Group’s statutory audit requirements.
• Preparation of technical accounting papers to support key accounting positions and judgements taken by the Group in respect of the financial results and other ad-hoc projects (eg. acquisitions and divestments)
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve processes across the Corporate Finance function, including working with business units to achieve better, simpler processes, and close involvement in the relevant Finance Transformation and Finance Systems enhancement activities.
• Responsible for the design and delivery of Woolworths Group Accounting Policies
• Development of strong relationships with the Group CFO, Group Financial Controller, General Manager of Investor Relations and other members of the Woolworths Finance Team.

What you’ll bring

We are looking for strong talent with high level understanding and lived in experience in a similar role within a large organisation. You will bring drive for best practice within your workday while supporting a high performing team to continue to grow, evolve and deliver within a first class finance function. A strong alignment with our Values and Purpose being 'We create better experiences together for a better tomorrow. We care for one another and we do the right thing. Wellbeing, safety and continuous development are at the heart of that'

• Minimum 10 years PQE and preferably recent experience as Head of External Reporting (or similar) with an ASX listed company 
• Deep experience (or similar) with an ASX listed company 
• Director or Senior Management experience in a Big 4 accounting firm
• Strong familiarity with Australian Accounting Standards and ability to interpret accounting and reporting risks
• Ability to identify and assist in managing business, finance and reporting risks and the development of controls to mitigate
• Experience in the design and development of best practice Enterprise Business Reporting (EBR) technology

What you’ll experience

• A global business with endless career possibilities around every corner and across every discipline – with valuable exposure to a vast and exciting business network.
• Access to Sonder.  Sonder provides free confidential 24/7 personalised financial, medical safety, psychological or physical support for team members and their families.
• A progressive and competitive leave policy that gives you more space for what matters to you.  
• Team discounts across our range of Woolworths Group brands you know and love and a robust rewards program that celebrates and incentivises purpose-driven work.
• Opportunity to Salary Sacrifice, enabling team members to purchase selected eligible items or services from pre-tax salary.  Can be used for novated leases, superannuation contributions, Qantas Club membership, computing devices etc.

Endless possibilities with Woolworths Group

We’re a proud part of the Woolworths Group – 200,000+ bright minds, passionate hearts and unique perspectives working together connected by a shared Purpose – ‘to create better experiences together for a better tomorrow.’ 

Here you’ll be supported and empowered to explore new ideas, make brave commitments and innovate better ways to meet the food and everyday needs of more than 24 million customers every week. Backed by a culture of genuine care, a flexible approach to work and the support to grow your career and make a meaningful impact, the possibilities for what we can achieve together are endless.

Everyone belongs at Woolworths Group

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are key to realising our purpose of better together for a better tomorrow. We recognise the value our team’s diversity brings to our business, customers, and communities and that teams with diverse experiences and backgrounds enrich our group and are better able to innovate and solve problems. As one of the largest employers in Australia and New Zealand, we aim to create a truly inclusive workplace where everyone feels that they belong, can be their best selves, and reach their full potential.

We encourage all candidates to apply; please let us know in your application if we can support you with any adjustments in the hiring process.

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