Director - Finance

Who is HSBC Innovation Banking?  
 
HSBC Innovation Banking is the power behind the UK’s forward-thinkers, future-makers, and leap-takers, helping them ignite the bold ideas that reshape our world. We offer flexible banking solutions for start-ups, scale-ups, growth businesses, investors and those working towards IPO typically within the technology and life science sectors. 
Whether it’s comprehensive banking, managing cashflow, plans for buyouts or Strategic Fund Solutions, we power ideas at every stage of their journey. From the first-time founders to the funds that back them, and everything in between. We're proud to accelerate growth for our clients, create meaningful connections and communities, and open a world of global opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors alike.
 
Here’s to never standing still. Come and join us!

The Role:

The Financial Controller- HSBC Innovation Bank aims to be a strategic partner and trusted advisor in achieving HSBC Innovation Banking (HINV) overall mission to increase our client’s probability of success. The role holder will be the custodian HSBC Innovation Bank’s Financial and Regulatory Reporting, Management information and Tax reporting, and will oversee Non-Financial Risk management for the Finance function.

We are looking to hire a talented Controller with the breadth and depth of experience operating in a UK subsidiary and track record of implementing and overseeing a strong accounting, regulatory and control function. It is expected that the individual would join the Audit Committee o present on key topics relating to reporting and controls.

The role will report to the CFO of HSBC Innovation Bank and sit on the Management Committee of the HSBC UK Financial Controller. The role holder will have responsibility and oversight for the accounting, financial and regulatory reporting and control activity, including Tax reporting. We intend to leverage the global tools, teams, processes and systems and the role holder will play a leadership role in both the HINV Finance and HSBC UK Controllership teams.

The role encompasses and has the following principal responsibilities:

The successful candidate will oversee and / or play a key role in:

• Financial Control & Governance - Ensure adequate financial reporting controls and governance are embedded across the business to drive financial reporting integrity. This will include oversight of loan, deposit and fee booking and accounting, investment and treasury activity and liaising with the SOX team, internal audit and external auditors in relation to second and third line of defence testing
• Accounting - Define and own IFRS accounting to ensure financial reporting integrity and timely close and filings. This includes overseeing accounting operations, close and associated controls and ledger maintenance and integrity. Lead the local process and approvals around loan loss accounting, support the HSBC UK team on close and consolidation, technical accounting support for new structures, products or projects
• Management information reporting - Coordinate and consolidate monthly and quarterly financial performance reporting and presentations, including variance analysis to support the close for senior management, the board and regulators
• Regulatory reporting - Oversee and lead the team that undertakes regulatory reporting, review and sign off the returns
• Statutory Reporting and Audit - Manage the production of the financial accounts and audit.
• Tax management and compliance – Oversee and manage tax activity in HSBC Innovation Bank with the support of local and global tax professionals
• Finance Change - Contribute to and drive local implementation of the global Finance Transformation effort covering systems and tools, processes, structure and people, continually looking for opportunities to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and control. Also act as local finance SME for change projects
• Continuous Professional Development - Stay abreast of accounting, regulatory and compliance developments and best practice and educate the team and business on these.
• Embrace technology and promote agile ways of working
• Attract, retain and grow finance talent - Coach and mentor colleagues to support them on their career journey

The individual will directly lead a small team of finance professionals based in the UK and India to meet HSBC accounting, control, financial and regulatory reporting and tax requirements. This will mean building strong relationships with individuals at a variety of levels and across multiple teams and time-zones in a matrix management structure

Requirements (Skills/experience):

Proven Financial Controller who has played a leadership role within a bank subsidiary and has knowledge and experience across all of the accounting, regulatory and control disciplines

• Experienced and skilled at managing external audits and working with audit committees
• Strong technical knowledge of IFRS accounting and the UK financial services regulatory requirements
• Strong technical knowledge of Basel rules
• Strong commercial leadership and people management skills
• Curious with exceptional analytical and technical skills, capable of building and running a world class Controllership function spread across multiple locations
• A good level of understanding of the UK commercial banking environment and product set and an ability to quickly gain a thorough knowledge of HINV’s bank operations and products
• Brilliant communication skills with an ability to build strong relationships, influence, engage and explain the complex and simple to both senior and junior colleagues within the organization
• Resourceful, collaborative and able to lead and support multiple projects across a number of areas in a fast-paced environment
• Audit experience and Chartered Accountancy qualification or equivalent education
• Passionate about continuing to learn and improve

Where you’ll be based:
Our home office in Finsbury Square, London. We offer hybrid working to our employees, so you can flex between home and the office, with a current requirement to be in the office 2 days per week.