External Reporting Manager

About the Role & Team
Be you, be here, be part of the story!

At The Walt Disney Company, magic is more than just a word; it's a way of life. For a century, we've been inspiring imaginations, celebrating diversity, and bringing families together through our beloved stories, characters, and experiences. From our iconic theme parks and resorts to our groundbreaking films, television shows, interactive media and products, we're dedicated to creating magic that knows no bounds.

We are looking for an experienced External Reporting Manager to make a meaningful impact and join our London based team on an initial 12 month Fixed-Term contract. Join us in shaping the magic behind the scenes!

The External Reporting Manager will support the Management and Disney Executives with Statutory Financial Statements (SFS) preparation, EMEA Audit Management and Control matters.

This role covers responsibilities for the SFS preparation for 4 UK entities. The SFS preparation will require working with multiple US GAAP accounting teams across different lines of business and the conversion from US GAAP to UK GAAP. A major responsibility will be working closely with the external auditors co-ordinating the UK GAAP adjustments, audit procedures and appropriate statutory filings for the UK legal entities.  

The EMEA Centralised Audit Procedures will require working closely with multiple audit teams internationally, scoping and instructing areas across multiple Disney entities, whilst working closely with Disney partners in the local markets. This is a key area of focus within the role.  

The role will also require ad-hoc financial projects support, often working with Tax, Treasury and Global Controllership; and supporting the EMEA Controllership teams with financial and Disney control matters. Overseeing timely submissions of ONS questionnaires, and UK entity liquidations may be required.   

This is a great opportunity to work within EMEA External Reporting Team, a function reporting into the Principal, International External Reporting, within the EMEA headquarters of The Walt Disney Company. The role provides considerable scope for learning and career progression, and you will have regular exposure to Disney senior Executives / Management.  

Please note: This is an office-based role. 4 days working in the Hammersmith, London office with 1 day working from home (Monday or Friday).

You’ll join a team grounded in our Disney values — acting with Integrity, welcoming everyone through Inclusion, embracing boundless Creativity, working together through Collaboration and caring deeply for our Community. These values shape how we work and how we support one another every day.

What You Will Do

The specific elements of this position include: 

• Preparation of statutory accounts for UK legal entities in line with FRS 102. Consulting with the auditors throughout the audit cycle to facilitate timely completion of the audit and to ensure timely filing of the audited financial statements.  

• Support the Corporate Tax department by preparing supporting schedules for tax calculations and any ad-hoc tax audit requirements. 

• Prepare supporting schedules for ad-hoc external audit deliverables – supporting SSC, EMEA controllership. 

• Liaise with various teams on distribution projects and company reorganisation projects. 

• Complete project work and produce Management accounts for distribution of dividends. 

• Identify and drive areas of improvement within current processes with the aim of maintaining the current high standard of service provided in a more efficient manner. 

• Ensure compliance with Sarbanes Oxley and Disney Minimum Control Standards by taking part in the annual SOX testing / monitoring.  

• Support management and wider finance team on any ad-hoc duties and projects. 

Required Qualifications & Skills

• An ACA / CIMA / ACCA qualified accountant that is used to working at a manager level grade. Applicants are required to have direct experience of UK SFS preparation and audit management.  

• Strong experience of data analysis with excellent excel skills 

• SAP experience preferred 

• Company accounting experience is preferred 

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage to tight deadlines and work under pressure in an environment where priorities must be continually re-evaluated and adapted as possible. 

• Strong people skills to establish effective working relationships at all levels of the organization. 

• Experience in managing the needs of a diverse range of stakeholders.  

• Resolves conflicts effectively.  

The Perks

• 25 days annual leave

• Private medical insurance & dental care

• Free Park Entry: You will have the opportunity to enter any of our parks with your family and friends for free

• Disney Discounts: you are entitled to discounts on designated Disney products, resort F&B and ticketing

• Excellent parental and guardian leave

• Employee Resource Groups – WOMEN @ Disney, Disney DIVERSITY, Disney PRIDE, ENABLED, and our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, TRUST.

The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.