Legal Entity Controller

The Role

The Legal Entity Controller is responsible for:

Financial reporting activities for Asia (Hong Kong & Singapore) and providing financial reporting support for Europe, a UK regulated entity.

Both duties report into the Head of Finance EMEA (London Office).

Ensuring the accuracy of the underlying numbers reported in the Asia monthly and year-end financial statements, either directly or guiding and advising the various control functions. The role is responsible for two legal entities in Asia, with aggregate turnover of approximately US$9m reporting under US GAAP and IFRS. The Controller will lead the monthly review of the Asia entity results, balance sheet and regulatory capital status with the Europe and Asia CFO and Head of Finance.

Job location

Warsaw, Poland

Hybrid model / onsite for 3 days per week

The Controller will

• Liaise with Group entity reporting, and other functional departments (Tax, Treasury, Back/Middle Office Operations, FP&A and Legal) both in the US, UK and globally.

• Provide assistance with the annual budgeting/forecasting and daily/monthly and annual regulatory deliverables (Hong Kong Financial Resources Return ('FRR') and Singapore Capital Returns).

• Provide assistance to the Europe Legal Entity Controller with the month end close activities (including accruals, prepayments, cost allocations and balance sheet substantiation) of the UK regulated entity, Cantor Fitzgerald Europe Limited.

• Provide ad hoc reporting to Senior Management and the respective Boards.

• Be a key liaison with the external auditors (EY), managing the year end audit and annual statutory filings which must be completed to a strict deadline.

The aim is to ensure that the individual can make an important contribution to the continued development of the finance team, raising the bar in terms of quality, control and consistency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Understand fully the entities and businesses for all responsible entities.

• To be able to report monthly on the results of their responsible entities and ensure that internal/external deadlines are met on time with accurate information.

• Prepare, post and review journals for the Asia and European month end close (including accruals, prepayments, payroll, cost allocations).

• To produce statutory accounts for the required entities under their responsibility and to deal with the external auditors (EY) and ensure timely delivery of information, responses and ensure sign off of the audited accounts to a strict deadline.

• Lead monthly review of Asia entities results, balance sheet and regulatory capital status with Europe and Asia CFO and Head of Finance.

• Assist the Corporate Accounting, Product Control, Tax and FP&A teams in continuing to maintain, develop and improve and strengthen the control environment.

• Assisting with the annual budget/forecasting process and daily/monthly and annual regulatory deliverables (Hong Kong Financial Resources Return ('FRR') and Singapore Capital Returns).

• Prepare annual corporation tax packs for Asia entities for delivery to external tax advisors.

• Assist in preparation of quarterly Singapore GST return and tax invoices.

• Partnering with Treasury and Cash Management to develop and evolve existing models for charging out Cash Capital and Cost of Equity to the businesses.

• Understand the FX exposure that is contained within the responsible entities and help in the global management of the FX position across the Group.

• Understand, provide guidance and review of intercompany recharges, allocations and transfer pricing processes from service entities to trading entities between different geographies.

• Drive forward and co-ordinate the process of liquidating and dissolving redundant entities as well as restorations where appropriate.

• Ensure that for all responsible entities, balance sheet reconciliations (incl. entity control, product control and AR accounts) are prepared and reviewed. Carry out overview review and report any concerns to senior management.

• Monitor the regulatory impact of intercompany balances and ensure regular settlement of related party receivables/payables.

• Monitor un-posted journals report daily for entries and manage the resolution of issues and postings made as appropriate.

• Monitor control account / suspense / wash accounts and manage the resolution of any breaks pre-month end as appropriate.

• Monitor cash breaks and ensure breaks are cleared appropriately.

• Support the Head of Finance with ad-hoc issues e.g. accounting policy changes, acquisitions and head office queries.

• Be alert to Conduct Risk issues, specifically the risk of harm to client interests, market integrity and/or competition in financial markets due to inappropriate practices or behaviours across the firm.

Skills required

The ideal candidate is a qualified accountant, ideally
with 2 - 3 years post qualification experience
in
financial services
(in a broking or trading organisation) and should be able to demonstrate:

• Prior experience in a legal entity control position.
• A strong academic background and good career progression to date.
• A control mentality coupled with excellent accounting, analytical and reporting skills.
• Exposure to complex reporting issues preferably with demonstrable knowledge of consolidation accounting, impairment assessments and minority interest accounting.
• Possess a pro-active attitude with an ability to take responsibility, make decisions and gain respect quickly.
• Process analysis skills to identify vulnerabilities and control weaknesses.
• Ideally an understanding of US GAAP and IFRS.
• Ability to evaluate issues and situations and make decisions with little need for upward reference.
• Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact with professionals throughout the organisation.
• Maturity and credibility to deal with brokers/traders, senior management and colleagues at all levels and locations.
• Flexibility and a willingness to contribute to an exciting, dynamic and multi-cultural business.