Group Financial Accountant

Group Financial Accountant

Watford - Hybrid

Salary £70-75k + Bens

About the Role

We are looking for a technically strong and detail-oriented Group Financial Accountant to join our finance team. Reporting to the Financial Controller / Group CFO, this role will play a key part in ensuring the integrity of the Group's financial reporting, statutory compliance, audit management, and financial controls.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant with a strong technical background and experience in group reporting, consolidation, and statutory accounts to contribute to a growing and dynamic organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Group Consolidation & Reporting

• Lead the monthly and annual group consolidation process, ensuring accurate and timely reporting across all entities.
• Review and eliminate intercompany balances and transactions, maintaining consistency throughout the Group.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality group reporting packs for senior management and key stakeholders.
• Maintain and enhance consolidation processes, systems, and reporting frameworks.

Statutory Accounting & Financial Statements

• Prepare statutory financial statements for Group entities in accordance with IFRS and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate the year-end reporting process across multiple entities.
• Ensure compliance with all accounting, regulatory, and disclosure standards.
• Monitor changes in accounting standards and assess their impact on the Group.

Balance Sheet Ownership & Financial Controls

• Take ownership of balance sheet integrity across the Group, ensuring reconciliations are accurate, complete, and performed on a timely basis.
• Review and challenge key balance sheet positions, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Develop, strengthen, and maintain robust financial controls and governance processes.
• Support internal control frameworks and audit readiness activities.

Audit Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for external auditors.
• Manage the annual audit process from planning through to completion.
• Prepare audit schedules, supporting documentation, and technical accounting papers.
• Coordinate responses to audit requests and ensure findings are resolved promptly.

Process Improvement & Governance

• Identify and implement improvements to financial reporting processes and controls.
• Support finance transformation initiatives, including system implementations and process automation.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Group accounting policies and procedures.

About You

You will be a qualified accountant with a strong technical accounting foundation and a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

Essential Skills & Experience

• ACA or ACCA qualified (or equivalent).
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including IFRS and/or UK GAAP.
• Experience in group consolidation and statutory reporting within a multi-entity environment.
• Proven experience managing external audits.
• Strong understanding of balance sheet reconciliations, controls, and governance.
• Advanced Excel skills and the ability to analyse complex financial data.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable

• Practice-trained background.
• Experience working within a group or multi-site organisation.
• Experience with consolidation and reporting systems.
• Knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite.
• Exposure to finance transformation or system implementation projects.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work closely with senior finance leadership.
• Exposure to group-level financial reporting and strategic initiatives.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you are a technically capable finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys driving financial excellence, we would love to hear from you.