At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical accounting and document policies for complex auction matters.
- Company: Bonhams, a historic auction house with a global presence.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, healthcare, enhanced parental leave, and more.
- Other info: Opportunity for leadership and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Join a prestigious team and shape the future of financial accounting.
- Qualifications: ACA/ACCA qualified with strong technical accounting experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the Bonhams Network
Founded in 1793, Bonhams is one of the world's leading auction houses — defined by connection, and home to the curious.
With over 230 years of expertise, Bonhams operates a global network of trusted specialists across 24 countries, including flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong. Across more than 60 specialist categories, Bonhams serves collectors of every kind — from emerging to established — with the objects, stories and expertise that define their collecting journey.
Beyond auctions, Bonhams is both a destination for discovery and for industry-leading services and support. Its rotating programme of exhibitions and public programming is free and open to all, reflecting a longstanding commitment to curiosity, cultural conversation and the enduring power of objects.
For forthcoming auctions and details of specialist departments, visit Bonhams.com.
Bonhams: A house built on knowledge. Defined by connection. Home to the curious.
About the Role
The Senior Financial Accountant is the Group's technical accounting lead. You will take over all technical accounting matters and codify knowledge into documented policy. As the operating model matures, the Global Process Owners for AP, Order-to-Cash and Vendor Settlements will report into this role — making it a leadership seat for the Group's financial accounting engine.
Key tasks and responsibilities:
- Technical accounting leadership. Own accounting policy, judgement and documentation for all complex and auction-specific matters: agency vs principal, auction guarantees, consignment stock, Artist's Resale Right, and new accounting standards.
- Knowledge codification. Run a structured knowledge transfer from the retiring FC; document position papers for every material judgement area.
- Financial accounting and close. Take ownership of general ledger integrity and period-end close across multi-entity, multi-currency and intercompany books.
- Global standardisation. Standardise balance sheet reconciliations, journals and close procedures across all regions to a single Group standard.
- Regional finance support. Act as the first point of technical and financial accounting support for regional finance teams — providing guidance, review and cover across territories and ensuring consistent application of Group policy.
- Future team leadership. Prepare to lead the GPOs for AP, Order-to-Cash and Vendor Settlements: set process standards, KPIs and controls for the Group's transactional engine.
- Audit and statutory support. Provide technical accounting support to the external audit and statutory reporting, including auditor papers on judgemental areas.
Embed financial controls within the close and transactional processes, working with the broader controls framework build.- Continuous improvements. Supportandcontributeto continuous improvements of month end processes, working with the Group FC and Group FD, identifying automation opportunities across the close, reconciliation and reporting cycles.
Key Skills and Experience
Essential
- ACA / ACCA qualified with strong post-qualification technical accounting experience (practice technical team or complex in-house environment).
- Technically excellent under IFRS, with proven judgement on revenue recognition, principal vs agent, and provisions/commitments.
- Demonstrated ability to write clear accounting policy and position papers from first principles.
- Experience of multi-entity, multi-currency close and balance sheet ownership.
- Leadership potential: this role grows into managing Global Process Owners — evidence of developing people and standardising processes is required.
Desirable
- Auction, art market, dealership or consignment-based business model experience.
- Exposure to finance transformation or target operating model implementation.
- Experience taking over from long-tenured individuals and codifying undocumented knowledge.
What We Offer
Some of our benefits and perks include:
- 28 days holidays (including Bank Holidays), increasing to 33 with service
- Healthcare and Life Assurance
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Season Ticket Loan
If you wish to apply, please send your CV and cover letter by the 5th August 2026 at midnight.
We thank you for your interest in this position but please note that we will only contact candidates chosen for further consideration.
Bonhams is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.
Senior Financial Accountant in London employer: Bonhams
Bonhams is an exceptional employer located in Greater London, offering a vibrant work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Employees benefit from extensive holiday entitlement and comprehensive healthcare benefits, alongside opportunities for personal and professional growth within a dynamic team environment. Joining Bonhams means being part of a prestigious organisation where your contributions are valued and recognised.
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We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Accountant in London
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