Group Financial Accountant

Sheridan Maine is delighted to be partnering with a well-established and highly respected organisation based in Poole to recruit a Group Financial Accountant. This is a great opportunity for a technically strong qualified accountant looking to take ownership of external reporting, statutory accounts and regulatory compliance while leading a high-performing finance team.
Working closely with senior finance leadership, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of accurate, compliant and timely financial reporting across a complex group structure. Alongside overseeing statutory reporting and audit activity, you'll provide technical accounting expertise, drive continuous improvement and support the ongoing development of the financial accounting team.
 
This position offers remote / hybrid working, but to ensure smooth collaboration with the team and regular on-site requirements, applicants must be based in Dorset or Hampshire.
 
The Role
As the Senior Group Financial Accountant, you'll take responsibility for coordinating and delivering a wide range of external financial reporting requirements, ensuring the business continues to meet all statutory and regulatory obligations. You'll also act as a trusted technical advisor across the finance function, supporting colleagues with evolving accounting standards and best practice.
 
Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading the preparation and first-stage review of statutory accounts across multiple group entities.
• Supporting the production of consolidated management and statutory financial statements.
• Managing the year-end external audit process, coordinating requests across the finance team and acting as a key point of contact for auditors.
• Overseeing the preparation and submission of VAT returns across the group and maintaining relationships with HMRC and external VAT advisors.
• Coordinating regulatory reporting requirements, including quarterly and annual returns.
• Working alongside external tax advisers to ensure corporation tax reporting is completed accurately and on time.
• Supporting technical accounting matters, ensuring compliance with current accounting standards and educating the wider finance team on new developments.
• Driving process improvements, strengthening financial controls and identifying opportunities to enhance reporting efficiency.
• Leading, mentoring and developing a team of Financial Accountants and Assistant Financial Accountants, providing coaching, regular feedback and performance support.

 
About You
We're looking for an experienced technical accountant who enjoys combining hands-on financial reporting with leadership and continuous improvement.
You'll ideally have:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification.
• Significant post-qualified experience within financial reporting or financial accounting.
• Strong knowledge of statutory accounts preparation and group consolidations.
• Previous experience managing external audits.
• Excellent understanding of VAT, with experience preparing VAT returns.
• Knowledge of FRS102 and technical accounting standards.
• Proven experience leading, mentoring and developing finance professionals.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with financial reporting systems.
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to build relationships across finance, senior leadership and external advisors.
• A proactive approach with strong analytical skills and exceptional attention to detail.

 
What's on Offer
This is a fantastic opportunity to join an organisation with a strong reputation, where you'll have genuine influence across the finance function and the opportunity to contribute to strategic initiatives and continuous improvement.
In return, you'll benefit from a competitive salary, an excellent benefits package, hybrid working and the opportunity to further develop your leadership career within a supportive and collaborative environment.
 
If you're a technically accomplished finance professional looking for your next challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
 
You are required to be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction.
 
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. If you have not heard from us within five working days, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.