Investec is a distinctive Specialist Bank serving clients principally in the UK and South Africa. Our culture gives us our edge: we work hard to find colleagues who'll think out of the ordinary and we put them in environments where they'll flourish. We combine a flat structure with a focus on internal mobility. If you can bring an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to learn and collaborate to your work, this could be the boost your career deserves.

Description of role and key responsibilities

The Head of Financial Control is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing and managing the financial control function. This role is crucial in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, compliance with regulatory requirements, and the implementation of effective financial control processes.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Financial Reporting: The Head of Financial Control is responsible for overseeing the preparation and submission of accurate and timely financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements and related notes. They ensure compliance with Swiss GAAP, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and other applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

2. Financial Control Processes: The Head of Financial Control designs, implements, and maintains robust financial control processes and procedures to safeguard the bank's assets, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations. They establish and monitor key control indicators and perform regular risk assessments to identify control weaknesses and implement appropriate remedial actions.

3. Regulatory Compliance: The Head of Financial Control ensures compliance with relevant regulatory requirements, including those set by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and other regulatory bodies. They monitor changes in regulations and accounting standards and implement necessary updates to financial control processes to ensure ongoing compliance.

4. Internal Control Framework: The Head of Financial Control develops and maintains an effective internal control framework, including the design and execution of internal controls. They collaborate with internal audit and risk management functions to identify control gaps, implement control enhancements, and ensure adherence to the bank's risk appetite and tolerance levels.

5. Financial Analysis and Insights: The Head of Financial Control provides financial analysis and insights to senior management and other stakeholders, highlighting key financial trends, risks, and opportunities. They contribute to strategic decision-making by providing accurate and timely financial information and recommendations.

6. Team Management: The Head of Financial Control manages a team of financial control professionals, providing leadership, guidance, and support. They oversee the recruitment, training, and development of team members, ensuring the team has the necessary skills and expertise to perform their roles effectively.

7. Stakeholder Engagement: The Head of Financial Control collaborates with various stakeholders, including Group finance, risk, and compliance teams, external and internal auditors, and regulators. They build strong relationships with these stakeholders to ensure effective communication, coordination, and collaboration in achieving the bank's financial control objectives.

Core Skills and Knowledge

• A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. A qualified accountant such as CA, ACCA, or CFA is a necessity.
• Must have completed training in an audit firm.
• Extensive experience in financial control, accounting, or audit roles within the banking or financial services industry.
• In-depth knowledge of IFRS and other relevant accounting standards.
• Strong understanding of Swiss financial regulations and compliance requirements.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address control weaknesses and risks.
• Strong attention to detail
• Proficiency in financial analysis and reporting tools.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Fluent English. German or French is an added advantage.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

Any other attributes that would be helpful, but not essential for the role

• Experience in Wealth Management/Private Banking industry

As part of our collaborative & agile culture, our working week is 4 days in the office and one day remote.

Investec offers a range of wellbeing benefits to make our people feel healthier, balanced and more fulfilled in their lives inside and outside of work.

Here is a selection of what we offer;

Wellbeing

Wellbeing Subsidy, Corporate Gym Membership, Virtual GP, Peppy Health App (Fertility, Menopause and Early Parenthood), Optional Private Medical & Dental Insurance

Monetary

Non-contributory Pension & Discretionary Bonus

Life & Income Protection

Life Assurance, Critical Illness & Income Protection

Travel

Season Ticket Loan & Electric Vehicle Scheme

Embedded in our culture is a sense of belonging and inclusion. This creates an environment in which everyone is free to be themselves which helps to drive innovation, creativity and ultimately business performance. At Investec we want everyone to find it easy to be themselves, and to feel they belong. It's a responsibility we all share and is integral to our purpose and values as an organisation.

Research shows that some candidates can be reluctant to apply to a role unless they meet all the criteria. We pride ourselves on our entrepreneurial spirit here and welcome you to do the same – if the role excites you, please don't let our person specification hold you back. Get in touch!

Recite Me

We commit to ensure that everyone is fairly assessed during our recruitment process. To assist candidates in completing their application form, Recite Me assistive technology is available on our Careers pages. This can be accessed by clicking on the ‘Accessibility Options' link at the top of the page.

The Recite Me tool includes a screen reader, styling and customisation options, a series of reading aids, a translator and more.

If you have any form of disability or neurodivergent need and require further assistance in completing your application, please contact the Careers team at [email protected] who will be happy to assist.