NAME: Mike Cleary COMPANY/REGION: RGS Northern Region JOB TITLE: Northern Region Finance Director DEPARTMENT: Accounts WHAT DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT DO? Accounts in a subsidiary: Budgets – in conjunction with the MD, the accountants are responsible for the preparation of quarterly forecasts. Management Accounts – preparation of monthly management accounts Payments – responsible for the payment of sub-contractors & suppliers Management information – reporting is a general responsibility of the department, be it system based or otherwise Monitoring of costs – important that accounts question other departments to ensure value for money in all aspects of the business Payroll – processing of commission/bonuses/overtime/weekly hoursCashbook – daily reporting on actuals & forecast Group Accounts: Financial Accounts –Preparation of the “Report & Accounts” and “City” information Tax – corporation tax calculations & negotiations Consolidation – Info from subsidiaries requires consolidating be that monthly accounts, cashbooks & cash forecasts, KPI’s or quarterly forecasts Budgets – in conjunction with the HODs, the accountants are responsible for the preparation of quarterly forecasts. Management Accounts – preparation of monthly management accounts Payments – responsible for the payment of sub-contractors & suppliers Monitoring of costs – important that accounts question other departments to ensure value for money in all aspects of the business IT – liaison with Group IT re the development of in-house software Payroll – processing of monthly & weekly payrolls Central payments – processing of invoices WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS? Regional Chairman – provide whatever support required by Regional Chairman, including taking a “regional view” for info flow to Group Budgets – challenge/question the Budgets prepared by the subsidiaries & present the amended version to the Chief Exec & FD Support – provide support to the individual accounts departments in the region Subsidiaries – challenge & support the businesses in the region and ensure, where appropriate, consistency across the region. Attendance at various subsidiary meetings therefore crucial on a monthly basis IT – responsible (in conjunction with IT representative) for the accounts software changes/reporting/issues WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO? Variety of work and the job covers all areas of the business. Regional role allows you to get involved in the detail whilst at the same time allowing you to take a Regional view ie step back and see the bigger picture WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER? Always interested in “professional” career and finance gives you the flexibility, if you wish, to see a variety of industries and to become involved in many areas of your chosen business WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DID YOU NEED TO GET THIS JOB? Required a degree to get a training contract with an accountancy firm initially & then needed to obtain professional qualification. Add to that experience in the company/industry. IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE A GRADUATE OR TRAINEE LOOKING FOR A JOB IN YOUR WORK AREA? Be prepared to study hard & accept that there is often an expectation of long hours, in particular at certain times in the monthly calendar or time of year. That said it can open any number of doors career wise – dependant on where you want it to take you.
