Group Controls Accountant

At Halfords, our mission is to inspire and support a lifetime of motoring and cycling. As a specialist retailer, we lead the market through customer-driven innovation and a distinct product range. We are dedicated to providing our customers with an integrated, unique, and convenient service experience, from e-bike and electric vehicle servicing to on-demand solutions. Our commitment is to foster customer loyalty by offering compelling reasons to keep coming back to our stores, ensuring a lifetime of motoring and cycling enjoyment.

The teams at our Support Centre work with every other area of our business, putting them at the heart of the action and playing a key role in our success and growth. Everyone brings their individual knowledge and experience to work every day, working as one team to keep things moving smoothly.

If you’re willing to get stuck in, you’ll love it here too. So put yourself at the heart of a dynamic, fast-paced working environment where expertise and focus take people far.

As a Group Controls Accountant, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening and embedding Halfords' financial control environment as we prepare for our first attestation under Provision 29 of the UK Corporate Governance Code. A key focus of the role will be supporting the design, implementation and ongoing operation of our Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) framework. Working within the Risk & Control team, you will partner with stakeholders across the business to ensure our control environment is robust, effective, and capable of supporting the needs of a complex FTSE 250 organisation.

Reporting to the Group Controls Manager, you'll lead on Financial Controls whilst supporting broader controls, risk, and remediation activities across the organisation. You'll perform controls testing, assess control effectiveness, identify gaps, and work closely with stakeholders to implement practical improvements that enhance governance without creating unnecessary complexity. This role offers exposure across Finance, Technology, Risk, Internal Audit, and wider business functions.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys combining technical controls knowledge with stakeholder engagement and process improvement. With significant focus on continuing to strengthen the control environment, you'll have the chance to influence how controls operate across the Group, work with senior stakeholders, and make a visible impact on an important strategic programme.

• →Support the ongoing development, assessment, and monitoring of the Group's Provision 29 compliance requirements along with Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) framework
• →Perform controls testing and assurance activities, providing evidence of control effectiveness and identifying areas requiring remediation
• →Identify control deficiencies, assess associated risks, and support the implementation and tracking of remediation plans
• →Partner with process owners to improve controls, streamline workflows, and enhance operational efficiency while maintaining appropriate governance
• →Prepare clear and accurate documentation, reporting, and management information for senior stakeholders, Internal Audit, and External Audit
• →Support risk assessments, balance sheet reconciliation quality reviews, and wider controls transformation initiatives across the business

• Qualified accountant or auditor (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIA, MCIIA, or equivalent)
• Experience within financial controls, internal audit, risk management, governance, or financial reporting environments
• Good understanding of internal control frameworks such as SOX, ICFR, or similar controls-based environments, alongside knowledge of UK Corporate Governance requirements
• Experience identifying control weaknesses and supporting the delivery of effective remediation activities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret information, assess risk, and recommend practical solutions
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, comfortable working with colleagues at all levels across the business
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a changing environment

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