Regional Financial Reporting Manager

Work with us

Launched in 2004, Cognita is an extraordinary community of schools that span 20 countries and share one common purpose: to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. With over 100 schools in Europe and the US, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia, Cognita employs more than 22,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of over 100,000 students.

Together, Cognita schools provide a uniquely global education that goes beyond grades, developing academic excellence alongside adaptability, agency, and the positive attitudes that prepare young people to grow, thrive, and find success in a rapidly evolving world.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Regional Financial Reporting Manager to lead statutory and internal financial reporting across the region. This pivotal role is responsible for coordinating external audits, managing central entities, and driving the month end consolidation process. The successful candidate will ensure accurate financial disclosures, maintain compliance with IFRS, and play a key role in integrating new entities and acquisitions into our growing network.

You’ll partner closely with Group Finance, Systems, and regional finance teams to deliver high quality reporting, streamline processes, and enhance the region’s financial control environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting

• Lead the preparation of statutory financial statements for multiple entities, including consolidations and disclosure notes.
• Coordinate external audits and group reporting deliverables, ensuring timely and accurate submissions.
• Maintain compliance with IFRS and internal accounting policies.
• Oversee accounting for central entities, including intercompany reconciliations and related party transactions.
• Deliver monthly performance packs featuring KPI dashboards and variance analysis.
• Coordinate monthly P&L reviews, ensuring clear timelines and actionable insights.
• Support the Regional Finance Director in onboarding newly acquired schools into the wider Cognita network, ensuring consistency of accounting and reporting practices.

Systems & Process Optimisation

• Collaborate with finance systems teams to ensure correct setup of new entities in NetSuite and NSPB Planning.
• Drive Record-to-Report (R2R) process improvements, streamlining the month end and reporting cycles.
• Lead the setup and finance integration of M&A and greenfield entities across finance systems.
• Enhance reporting capabilities and automation within ERP and reporting tools.
• Ensure finance team access and controls are aligned with organisational structures.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with Group Finance to align on reporting and consolidation requirements.
• Provide technical accounting guidance and training to internal teams.
• Support regional discussions on group level reporting decisions and financial compliance matters.

What we’re looking for

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Strong technical knowledge of IFRS and regional regulatory frameworks.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g. NetSuite, NSPB Planning) and advanced Excel skills.

Experience

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in financial reporting, audit, and compliance roles.
• Proven ability to manage multi entity group reporting and external audits.
• Experience in multinational or education sector environments preferred.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and analytical skills.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a dynamic, international organisation undergoing growth and transformation.
• Opportunity to influence financial systems and processes at a regional level.
• Collaborative environment that values professional development and innovation.

Cognita is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers, and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practices and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.