UK Finance Director Full Time

This role is responsible for leading the UK Accounting & Tax function for Welltower. The position demands an elevated level of expertise in accounting, tax compliance, and strategic planning, with a strong focus on ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency in all related processes. The role involves significant interaction with external advisors, internal stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, and requires effective leadership of the Accounting & Tax team to optimize business outcomes and support the company’s financial goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary responsibilities of the role include:

Accounting Responsibilities

• Provide support for the Company’s US-based Accounting team on UK merger, acquisition, and disposition activity, including support for UK Board meetings, preparation of applicable financial statements, and accounting journal entries for real estate and operating company investments.
• Assist with the preparation of local statutory accounts for all applicable UK companies and subsidiaries. Assist in preparing consolidated statutory accounts for half-year and full-year periods. Support UK senior management with board papers on financial reporting and technical accounting issues.
• Prepare and post monthly accruals, journals, and prepayments, including assisting with the month-end management accounts process. Coordinate with Treasury on in-country cash management as well as cross-border cash management activities.
• Drive continuous improvement of accounting controls and practices. Produce monthly actuals reporting for UK REIT and its subsidiaries, including operating companies.
• Work with third-party operators to provide accounting support for all UK operating company subsidiaries, including budget reconciliations, accruals, and intercompany transactions.
• Serve as the main contact with external auditors for audit planning and issues.

Tax Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the UK and European quarterly and annual tax provision process in accordance with ASC 740 (US GAAP). Participate in discussions with the group’s external auditors regarding European tax matters. Maintain internal tax control documentation and testing, including for the Company’s wholly owned UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). Prepare applicable tax accounting/disclosures for all UK statutory reporting obligations.
• Lead and manage all the group’s UK and European tax compliance activities, including UK REIT compliance, UK Corporation Tax, VAT, and Construction Industry Scheme compliance. Manage members of the Tax and Accounting teams in the UK and/or USA as they prepare components of the Company’s tax filings.
• Oversee the tax aspects of the Company’s UK capital structure, including corporate interest expense limitations, transfer pricing, and cross-border distribution and withholding tax obligations. Lead the development of tax-saving strategies to maximize business profits, including maximizing capital allowance deductions. Assist with other tax planning activities, considering the future strategy of the business, group policy, and local regulations. Work closely with external advisors and internal stakeholders to facilitate the timely and accurate preparation of transfer pricing documentation, including monitoring the tax consequences of intragroup cost allocations.
• Prepare and maintain the UK tax governance framework, including the UK tax risk matrix. Represent the company in all dealings with HMRC, ensuring prompt responses to all
• HMRC enquiries and correspondence. Lead the annual review of the group’s UK Tax Strategy and Tax Policy documentation and the Senior Accounting Officer compliance.
• Provide support for the group’s ongoing US tax compliance activities, including US Foreign Reporting, Country-by-Country reporting, and the group’s Pillar II compliance.
• Participate in UK transaction-related calls with tax colleagues in the US and the group’s external US tax compliance service providers as needed.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of this employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

TRAVEL

Some travel may be required for this position, including travel to the U.S.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree is required. Knowledge of accounting theory, including GAAP and IFRS is preferred. Professional certification of UK Chartered Accountant, or US CPA or equivalent is strongly desired.
• 5+ of relevant experience in a Accounting and Tax role is required.
• 5+ years practical experience in Big 4/boutique tax advisory, audit or assurance firm, or equivalent level of in-house experience is required.
• Experience in managing in-house tax compliance and third-party accounting firm prepared returns. This includes cross-border accounting and tax compliance arrangements.
• Ability to successfully lead a team of 3-5 direct employees, including conducting performance reviews, setting goals, and directing assignments and workflows.
• Indirect Tax and Employment Tax experience is beneficial, but not essential.
• Experience with Yardi (Enterprise Resource Planning system general ledger), OneStream financial consolidation system, and OneSource tax system helpful.

Source: Welltower Career Page

Tagged as: REIT