Larger businesses comprised of multiple subsidiaries will have a dedicated group finance function that consolidates the financial statements of all the entities into one. These companies often have oversees entities or parent companies, hence there may be an international element entailing translating different countries' accounting principles and reporting to foreign parents. You will be involved in consolidating subsidiaries' accounts, ensuring compliance with the relevant accounting principles, and liaising with subsidiaries re issues, adjustments for inter-company trading and deadlines. New group accountants tend to come from either financial accounting roles or directly from practice.

Is it for you?
Group accounting roles are highly technical both in terms of accounting and working in conjunction with compliance. The demands of the position include working to continually tight schedules which can sometimes cause fluctuations in hours, especially when communicating with different time zones. International travel can be involved if all or part of your subsidiary portfolio is overseas.

Career Prospects
Seeing the business from this top level vantage point is excellent exposure. Progression to divisional financial controller is often a next step, paving the way for longer term progression to more senior group/divisional financial controller/director roles.