The Company

Established in 1995, SMS is a fully integrated energy infrastructure company which owns, installs, and manages carbon reduction (CaRe) assets, including smart meters, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and EV charge points.

Using its technology and data expertise, funding capability, and deep engineering skills, SMS provides total, innovative energy solutions for its customers. Through these services, it is changing how businesses and consumers use energy for the better, helping achieve a greener and more sustainable energy system. Through its range of innovative energy solutions, SMS is delivering the future of smart energy – working closely with private and public sector partners to de-carbonise the UK economy by 2050.

The SMS vision is to be at the heart of the low-carbon, smart energy revolution that is pivotal to realising a greener, more sustainable world. With over 25 years of heritage and experience, SMS has an exceptional understanding of the UK energy market and how it is changing. As leaders in delivering and funding smart energy infrastructure and other zero-carbon technologies required to decarbonise, SMS is delivering the future of smart energy – working closely with private and public sector partners to de-carbonise the UK economy by 2050. A trusted partner, SMS are uniquely positioned to help effect real and enduring transformation.

SMS’ purpose is to serve its customers and protect the environment. The immediate goal is carbon reduction, with the ultimate target of net-zero carbon emissions.

For further information on SMS plc, visit www.sms-plc.com/about-us

Background to Current Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Director of Financial Reporting, the business is looking for a hands-on and experienced finance professional to join the Group Finance team. As Group Statutory Reporting Manager, the individual will be responsible for technical accounting issues and projects across the Group together with the Group’s statutory accounting and plc reporting requirements, in accordance with IFRS. In doing so, the Group Statutory Reporting Manager will closely partner with stakeholders from across the Group and will have significant interaction with both the Executive and Non-executive directors of the Group.

The post-holder will take ownership of all statutory Group reporting activities including preparation of the Interim Report and Accounts, Annual Report and Accounts and subsidiary accounts whilst bringing a depth of technical accounting knowledge to assist the wider Finance function.

SMS is a growing, innovative business and values diversity and different ways of thinking to ensure the company is moving forward effectively. The organisation represents an excellent opportunity for a motivated, talented accountant who wants to work in a high growth, AIM listed business environment. In addition, the business will provide a firm career platform with great opportunity for personal and professional development. It is envisaged that over time this role will develop and grow and therefore it is key that applicants are flexible and adaptable to those changes.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a growing business which is leading the way in its field and to contribute to its future success by playing a key role in its journey.

The Individual

The role of Group Statutory Reporting Manager requires a professionally qualified accountant who possesses excellent technical skills and the ability to liaise with stakeholders at a senior level in this highly visible role. It is likely that the individual will have demonstrated a high level of achievement in their career to date, showing an eagerness to develop, and had some exposure to working with listed businesses.

A summary of the key candidate requirements are as follows:

Skills & Experience

• Qualified Accountant (CA/ACA or equivalent)
• Familiarity with all Microsoft packages with advanced excel skills
• Experience of general ledger and consolidation systems; knowledge and experience of Dynamics 365 an advantage
• IFRS and experience with Group consolidated accounts mandatory; listed plc experience or exposure would be a significant advantage
• Experience with the statutory financial statement process
• Extensive practical understanding of accounting principles and techniques with ability to read and interpret technical materials and apply to practical matters
• Experience and proven track record of dealing with complex accounting matters and/or technical transactions
• Excellent organisational and project management skills with ability to prioritise competing demands
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal including report writing
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Attuned to working well with non-finance individuals

Personal Attributes

• Driven individual with a desire to make a significant contribution to a growing business
• Lateral thinker who seeks to improve efficiency and effectiveness of tasks
• Conscientious and enthusiastic self-starter with the ability to work on own initiative
• Flexible working attitude with the willingness to work hours that reflect the needs of the business
• Resilient and responsive to change
• Able to engage with and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Good team player; able to work effectively as part of the Group Finance team
• Demonstrable approach to self-development with an aptitude for learning

The Role

The Group Statutory Reporting Manager will take ownership of all statutory Group reporting activities including preparation of the Interim Report and Accounts, Annual Report and Accounts and subsidiary accounts whilst bringing a depth of technical accounting knowledge to assist the wider Finance function.

The main duties and responsibilities will involve:

Statutory Reporting

• Lead the production of the consolidated interim and annual reports, acting as key liaison with external design and production team
• Manage the preparation and timely filing of the Group’s subsidiary financial statements
• Oversee the external audit of the Group and its subsidiaries and liaise with the Group’s auditors in respect of the above processes
• Assess, report, and advise on developments in accounting standards and implications for the Group
• Monitor and implement any changes to accounting policies in line with IFRS/FRS 101
• Monitor and implement any changes to disclosures in line with relevant corporate governance frameworks
• Prepare written reports to the Audit Committee on key judgements and accounting technical matters

Interim and Annual Report and Accounts

• Manage the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and notes to the accounts, including accounting policies
• Ensure all statutory consolidation adjustments have been prepared and recorded accurately and completely
• Oversee, through a combination of preparation and review, all technical accounting aspects, including acquisitions and disposals, impairment reviews, going concern assessment, share based payments, and other significant areas of judgement
• Ensure completion and review of all financial support schedules used internally to support the consolidated financial statements and external announcements
• Plan and communicate the statutory reporting cycle ensuring reporting targets are set and met on a timely manner
• Coordinate and manage the production of the Annual Report and Accounts, working with the Group’s external production team and key content contributors from across the business
• Prepare key sections of front-end narrative within the Strategic and Corporate Governance reports; review narrative prepared by other content contributors
• Manage the preparation of external announcements (RNS) with assistance from the Group’s PR partner and review presentation slides
• Manage the process of pushing down statutory adjustments to underlying entities

Subsidiary Financial Statements

• Monitor filing requirements across the Group, including new entities
• Manage the preparation and review of the Group’s subsidiary financial statements with assistance from the Group Financial Analyst
• Manage the timely filing of the Group’s subsidiary financial statements, with assistance from the Group’s Legal team
• Manage the process of pushing down statutory adjustments to underlying entities

Technical Subject Matter Expert

• SME on accounting technical matters across the Group, acting as key liaison with external advisers as needed
• Investigate and analyse technical accounting treatment for new areas of business, including production of technical papers
• Support senior management and the wider business with technical interpretation of new and proposed transactions, and other corporate activities, including production of technical papers
• Support divisional financial controllers and staff with ad-hoc reporting and/or technical queries
• Review technical accounting work performed by the Group Financial Analyst to support in the preparation of month-end management accounts

Other Responsibilities

• Key liaison with external tax advisors, including review of tax computations and working papers for both the Group and subsidiaries
• Manage valuation of the Group’s share schemes under IFRS 2, with assistance from a third-party valuation specialist
• Manage accounting and reporting of the Group’s share schemes, through a combination of both preparation and review
• Support on other corporate activity, ad hoc projects and analysis as required by Group Finance and the Board

Package and Remuneration

• Basic Salary: £Competitive
• Bonus: Discretionary up to 10%
• Pension: Up to 5% matched company contribution
• Healthcare: Medicash health plan offering a wide variety of benefits
• Holiday Entitlement: 25 days per year (with additional 8 public holidays) increasing to 30 days after 5 years of service (includes options to buy and sell)
• Working Hours: 38.75 per week
• Location: Glasgow office (Hybrid flexible model)