About Pearson Finance

Pearson Finance is one finance team, improving Pearson’s performance, through finance excellence as stewards of value. We combine world-class finance skills with a commercial focus and a continuous improvement mindset. Our strategic priorities center around data and storytelling, being trusted advisors to shape business outcomes, driving efficiency through continuous improvement, automation and standardization, and finally to mitigate risk as we partner with the rest of the business to drive execution of Pearson’s overall strategy.

About the Role

Working within the Oracle Projects Finance team in Pearson Finance Services, this position offers a chance to do more than just month-end close and general ledger work. The Projects Finance team will have a deep understanding of end-to-end processes and the inter-connectedness of Projects within the Oracle ERP. This position provides a chance to make an impact on the day-to-day operations of Oracle Project accounting users in a Global company. Those with a desire to drive positive change across the Project accounting and reporting process will thrive in this role. This position interacts with all internal users involved in the Project Accounting space, as well as Global Process Owners and the technical Solutions team, the BPO teams, and Internal/External Audit.

Key Responsibilities include:

Financial Analysis

• Month-end consolidation of YTD investment general ledger transactional data prior to reconciliation with and entry into group reporting application

• Biannual and year-end statutory group reporting input, provision of evidential analysis and resolution of external audit requests

• Prepare monthly fixed asset movement schedules detailing investment spend, transfers to asset register etc

• Prepare and book Projects JEs related to timing issues in the Intercompany processing schedule, Cash Flow reporting reclasses,

• Accruals/Adjustments needed for Known Issues

• Consolidation and reconciliation of project subledger (Beta reports) to general ledger actuals and provision of reconciliations including budgetary variations as essential daily month-end MI packs to Finance stakeholders

• Assisting business and finance users with financial investigations, nominal workflow mapping, national tax authority queries and statement of financial position open item resolution

• Monthly deep-dive analysis of development project construction-in-progress (CIP) spend, reconciliation and resolution of global model exceptions

Cross-functional partnering

• with Business to facilitate broader understanding of Project Accounting Ways of Working and provide operational and directional support as needed

• with BPO and Technology teams to ensure understanding of end-to-end issues and work towards resolution

• with Global Process Owners to ensure opportunities for process improvements are raised and solution to ensure operational excellence

Month-End coordination and support

• Process data uploads on an as-needed basis specifically related to month-end budget adjustments, and do the necessary trouble shooting when there are issues

• Manage month-end process with BPO, MSS, and communication with GL team

• Operational and Directional support to Oracle Projects end users (800+) providing individual or group assistance with standard process and

• procedures to end user

• Perform key data reconciliations and monitor/report on KPIs to ensure complete, accurate, and timely financial reporting.

• System configuration and maintenance

• Creation of new expenditure types Configure new organization combinations based on Chart of Accounts requests

• Additional tasks as needed

Technical and People Skills Required:

• Ability to prioritize daily, weekly and monthly tasks in order to meet deadlines

• Ability to draw concise, well supported recommendations based on detailed analysis of the given issue

• Highly organized with strong attention to detail

• Strong customer service skills

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written

• Motivated to take initiative to tackle challenges and projects

About You

Your Core Experience & Education:

• Minimum of 5 years of related experience with good knowledge of both systems and accounting/finance processes.

• Proficiency utilizing accounting software

• Proficiency utilizing Microsoft Office products, including advanced knowledge of Excel and VBA Experience in SQL

• ACA/CIMA/ACCA Part-qualified

• Consideration will be given to candidates who are qualified by experience.

Preferred but not required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field

• Experience with Oracle project accounting software

• Experience with Oracle project accounting software

• Multinational company environment experience

• SQL experience

Your rewards & benefits

We know you’ll do great work, so we give a lot back with some of the best benefits in the business. We know one size doesn’t fit all, so our workplace programs meet the different needs of our diverse teams, and their families, too. We offer:

• A competitive salary

• Hybrid working model

• 25 days annual leave, which increases by 1 day each year up to 30 days (with the option to buy and sell up to 5 days per year on top of this)

• A fantastic pension plan, where Pearson doubles what you contribute

• Other benefits, including private dental care, private medical insurance, digital GP service, season ticket loan, eye tests, cycle to work scheme, volunteering days, employee wellbeing assistance, discounted retail and leisure products, services from leading companies and much more. See our options here: Pearson Jobs - Benefits

What to expect from Pearson

Did you know Pearson is one of the 10 most innovative education companies of 2022?

At Pearson, we add life to a lifetime of learning so everyone can realize the life they imagine. We do this by creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are on a journey to be 100 percent digital to meet the changing needs of the global population by developing a new strategy with ambitious targets. To deliver on our strategic vision, we have five business divisions that are the foundation for the long-term growth of the company: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills and Higher Education. Alongside these, we have our corporate divisions: Digital & Technology, Finance, Global Corporate Marketing & Communications, Human Resources, Legal, Strategy and Direct to Consumer. Learn more at We are Pearson.

We value the power of an inclusive culture and also a strong sense of belonging. We promote a culture where differences are embraced, opportunities are accessible, consideration and respect are the norm and all individuals are supported in reaching their full potential. Through our talent, we believe that diversity, equity and inclusion make us a more innovative and vibrant place to work. People are at the center, and we are committed to building a workplace where talent can learn, grow and thrive.

Pearson is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. We want a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We strive for a workforce that reflects the diversity of our communities.

To learn more about Pearson’s commitment to a diverse and inclusive workforce, navigate to: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Pearson.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing ppsmhr@pearson.com.

Note that the information you provide will stay confidential and will be stored securely. It will not be seen by those involved in making decisions as part of the recruitment process.

Job: FINANCE

Organization: Corporate Finance

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Req ID: 13745