Financial Controls Manager - NESO

at  National Grid

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Setting the foundation of the NESO financial controls team, working with external audit/Audit committee to agree materiality thresholds and align on the suite of documentation.
• Undertaking compliance assurance activities, spanning financial ringfencing, Ofgem regulatory reporting pack (RRP) submissions and Ofgem data assurance guidance (DAG) risk assessments.
• Investigating potential areas of non-compliance, tracking, monitoring, and supporting the business to implement risk mitigation measures, as necessary.
• Managing the compliance incident process for areas of financial risk, ensuring coordination and alignment of subject matter experts and 1st line representatives.
• Supporting business leads with action plan remediation to ensure actions achieve their objectives in a timely manner, escalating high/medium risks to accountable owners where timelines may be compromised.
• Conducting risk-based assurance and consulting services activities over key financial controls to enhance governance, risk and controls management processes and ensuring controls are effectively operated whilst identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Creating the financial controls testing plan, incorporating testing the effectiveness of controls and the operation of the controls.
• Working across functional lines (finance, procurement, people, revenue) to ensure completeness of the financial control landscape.
• Identifying external and internal assurance, compliance and finance management best practice, and setting in place continuous improvement activities to advance maturity.
• Managing, coaching, and mentoring colleagues within the team.
• Establishing robust reporting methodologies and communicating performance results throughout the business.
• Developing and maintaining internal reporting for executive leadership, Audit & Risk Committee and Board reporting requirements.

ABOUT YOU

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who has/is:

• Fully Qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ACA).
• Demonstrable experience of providing high quality and sound professional assurance management across a large-scale function.
• An understanding of the energy sector and a deep understanding of financial accounting practices – including the structure, regulatory environment and the short and long-term risks and opportunities.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of assurance frameworks and related reporting.
• Expert knowledge of assurance frameworks, ensuring coverage of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Lines of defence.
• Solid interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate, influence and challenge across all disciplines and levels within the organisation, and a proven record of accomplishment in developing effective relationships across the organisation.

ABOUT US

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers.
Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger.
Your energy, our future, together.

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.
Reporting to the Director, the Financial Controls Manager plays an important role in the design and implementation of an effective control’s framework for the National Energy System Operator (NESO); ensuring that they have fit-for-purpose controls established and documented, that keep the business safe and compliant.
This role sits in the 2nd line of defence. In the position of Financial Controls Manager, you will play a pivotal safeguarding role for our business, responsible for assuring controls in place, supporting the 1st line with risk assessments, and providing assurances over regulatory submissions to both identify and support in mitigating financial risk exposure. You will be required to work closely and collaboratively with our Assurance department to develop the risk-based annual assurance schedule, identify key controls and ensure the adequacy of frameworks in place
The role will involve working closely with members across our business to aid with risk assessments, assess the effectiveness and efficiency of financial control management and regulatory reporting. As needed, your duties may occasionally include operational assessments and compliance assurance activities.
This role is based in Warwick, with travel to Wokingham and other NESO sites when required, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.