Who are we
Founded in 1896, Knight Frank was registered as Knight Frank LLP a Limited Liability Partnership, on 3 November 2003, registered in England & Wales at 55 Baker Street, London, W1U 8AN with the registered number of OC305934. Headquartered in London, UK, Knight Frank is one of the world's leading independent real estate consultancies. We work responsibly in partnership to enhance people's lives and environments in over 50 Markets, 600+ Offices, 20,000+ People, 1 Global Network.
At the heart of all we do are our Clients. A relationship built on trust is vital. As trusted partners in property, we act with integrity and care, understanding our clients’ unique needs and consistently thinking about the bigger picture to provide personalised, clear and considered advice across all areas of property. Through our deep understanding of key markets and sectors – both emerging and established – we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their property goals.
A true partnership is a balanced one, and our People are passionate about, and committed to, making our business inclusive and diverse. We give every individual the space and opportunity to perform at their best and be recognised for the immense value they bring. We empower everyone to have autonomy in their role and encourage them to use their voice in how we can make a positive impact as a firm and shape the future of real estate, the built environment and the impact on the communities we serve. Our collaborative and engaged teams provide excellent and dedicated client service. In our workplace, opinions are respected, everyone is invited to contribute to the success of our business and innovation, and new ideas are celebrated.
In 2021 we celebrated our 125th anniversary and set out Our Desired Future, cemented in three pillars: People Potential, Client Centricity and always Creating our Future, together.
About The Role
Knight Frank is seeking a Record to Reporting (R2R) Process Lead to join their Head Office in 55 Baker Street.
The Record to Reporting (R2R) Process Lead will drive the end-to-end management and financial reporting process across a large, complex commercial real estate portfolio. This role will be pivotal in standardising, transforming and optimising the R2R function, ensuring robust financial control, regulatory compliance, and timely, high-quality management and financial reporting.
The role will work closely with senior finance leadership, business services and business stakeholders across the UK and internationally to deliver best-in-class accounting process and best practices, driving and delivering on continuous improvement initiatives.
This role acts as a single point of accountability for R2R, key focus is to drive end-to-end accountability for the integrity of general ledger accounting through reporting across UK operations. The role is a key source of contact for technical accounting matters, financial governance, as well as coordinating global management reporting and performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Management / Partnership Accounting & Close Process
- Lead delivery of accurate and timely month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
- Oversee general ledger integrity, ensuring completeness and accuracy of all financial postings.
- Review and challenge management accounts results, ensuring processes are complete and ready to report.
- Partner with FP&A and finance business partners to support performance reporting and decision-making.
- Drive continuous improvement to shorten close cycles and improve reporting quality.
- Manage key equity accounts across the UK LLP for the Partners of the business, including annuitant forecasts and related calculations.
Statutory Reporting & Financial Accounts
- Own the preparation, delivery and oversight of UK statutory financial statements in line with IFRS/UK GAAP, ensuring consolidated accounts fully comply with GAAP ensuring processes are managed timely to ensure clean audit opinions.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory and legal entity reporting requirements across jurisdictions
- Oversee technical accounting matters, including judgements, estimates, and policy application
- Support corporate transactions (acquisitions, disposals, restructures) from an accounting perspective when required.
Internal Controls & Governance
- Maintain a strong financial control environment, ensuring adherence to internal policies and controls.
- Design, implement, and monitor robust internal control frameworks including use of KPI’s.
- Ensure all (UK) balance sheet accounts are fully reconciled, reviewed, and substantiated through agreed perpetual cycles.
- Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks within the R2R process (identifying key risks and opportunities across the balance sheet)
- Lead remediation of control deficiencies and embed sustainable improvements
Best Practice, Process Excellence & Transformation
- Drive standardisation and harmonisation of R2R processes across entities and regions
- Champion best practice accounting processes and continuous improvement initiatives
- Lead automation and digital transformation efforts (e.g., use of ERP functionality, RPA, data tools)
- Define and track KPIs, SLAs, and performance metrics to improve process efficiency and quality
- Act as the process owner for R2R within broader finance transformation programmes
Leadership of the Accounting Function
- Lead, develop and motivate a high-performing accounting team
- Provide clear direction, coaching, and performance management to direct and indirect reports
- Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence
- Act as a key advisor to senior finance leadership on R2R matters.
Audit & External Stakeholder Coordination
- Act as the lead contact for external and internal auditors for all R2R-related matters
- Coordinate the audit process, ensuring timely delivery of schedules and resolution of queries. Own remediation activities for any audit deficiencies in a timely manner.
- Manage indirect tax accounting activities, including oversight of VAT returns and accounting
- Drive continuous improvement based on audit findings and recommendations
- Maintain adherence to accounting standards, contractual obligations, and internal policies
Skills & Experience:
Core Requirements
- Extensive experience in Record to Reporting and Financial Control within a large, complex organisation
- Strong knowledge of IFRS/UK GAAP and statutory reporting requirements
- Experience within commercial real estate or LLP environments are highly desirable
- Proven track record of process improvement, transformation, or shared service implementation.
- Experience working with ERP systems (e.g. SAP) and finance technologies
- Consolidations experience is essential, key understanding of consolidation principles.
- Experience working in a multi-entity, multi-currency environment
- Significant experience financial controllership transactional processes
Leadership & Behavioural Skills
- Strategic thinking: Ability to align R2R processes with wider business and finance strategy
- Stakeholder influence: Strong communication skills with the ability to engage senior leadership and non-finance stakeholders
- People leadership: Experience leading, developing, and motivating high-performing teams across locations
- Change management: Proven ability to lead transformation initiatives and embed sustainable improvements
- Problem-solving mindset: Able to identify root causes and implement effective, scalable solutions
- Collaboration: Builds strong cross-functional partnerships in a complex, matrixed organisation
Qualifications:
- Essential: 7-10 years extensive post qualified experience within a large complex matrix organisation
- Essential: Qualified Accountant (ICAEW and/or ACCA)
Systems and IT Competence:
- Systems-savvy with hands on experience using SAP (general ledger, FICO) is essential
- Use of BPC reporting tool highly desirable.
- Good intermediary to advanced level of Excel knowledge for handling large data
Dimensions:
- Managing a team of several qualified accountants
- No. of UK legal entities: c 25 (through a mix of audited/non audited and trading./holding entities)
- UK landscape / Turnover £450M
- Balance sheets accounts under areas of control c. 500+
Competitive salary
Please note: this is a Direct Search led by Knight Frank. Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs, even if provided by PSL agencies.
