At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead statutory reporting and financial control while managing a dynamic finance team.
- Company: Join Butler Rose, a values-driven employer in Milton Keynes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with exposure to complex accounting and Group reporting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a key leadership role within finance operations.
- Qualifications: Professionally qualified accountant with strong technical financial accounting experience.
The predicted salary is between 58000 - 64000 € per year.
Butler Rose is partnering with one of our clients in Milton Keynes to recruit a Lead Financial Accountant to join their team. This is a permanent role paying a salary between 58,000 – 64,000 per annum dependent on experience. Hybrid working of 3 days in the office and 2 from home.
This is a pivotal role leading statutory reporting, technical accounting, financial control and regulatory compliance across the organisation and Group structure. This role requires a candidate with deep technical financial reporting expertise, including substantial experience preparing and reviewing consolidated Group financial statements within complex multi-entity organisations. Experience within the Higher Education and/or charity sectors, alongside strong knowledge of HE SORP and Charity SORP, is highly desirable.
The successful candidate will combine strong technical accounting capability with excellent leadership skills and the ability to operate effectively within a complex regulatory environment.
The Role
- Reporting to the Head of Finance Operations, the Lead Financial Accountant will take ownership of statutory and regulatory reporting obligations, while leading the Financial Accounting team and supporting continuous improvement across finance operations.
Key responsibilities
- Leading the preparation and review of statutory accounts and consolidated Group financial statements
- Managing complex consolidations, intercompany reconciliations and audit working papers
- Ensuring compliance with HE SORP, Charity SORP and all relevant accounting and regulatory standards
- Overseeing Foundation and subsidiary reporting within the Group structure
- Coordinating external audits and acting as the primary liaison with auditors
- Managing month-end close activities and balance sheet reconciliations
- Overseeing VAT, partial exemption, corporation tax and regulatory submissions
- Supporting financial control, process improvement and finance systems development
- Leading and developing a Financial Accounting team of five
About You
You will be a professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience and a strong track record in technical financial accounting.
What the successful candidate will demonstrate
- Significant experience preparing consolidated Group financial statements and statutory accounts
- Strong technical financial reporting expertise within a complex organisation
- Excellent understanding of consolidations, financial controls and accounting standards
- Knowledge of Higher Education financial reporting and Charity SORP
- Experience coordinating and managing external audits
- Strong VAT and corporation tax compliance knowledge
- Advanced Excel and financial systems capability
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Proven experience leading and developing finance teams
- Experience within Higher Education, not-for-profit organisations or charitable institutions would be highly advantageous, particularly where combined with strong technical accounting depth.
What's on Offer
- Salary of 58,000 – 64,000
- Opportunity to work within a collaborative and values-driven environment
- Exposure to complex technical accounting and Group reporting
- A key leadership role with the opportunity to influence finance operations and process improvement
- Professional development and progression opportunities
Butler Rose is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Lead Financial Accountant employer: Butler Rose Ltd
Butler Rose offers an exceptional working environment in Milton Keynes, where the Lead Financial Accountant will thrive in a collaborative and values-driven culture. With a competitive salary and hybrid working model, employees benefit from professional development opportunities and the chance to influence finance operations within a complex and rewarding sector, particularly in Higher Education and charitable organisations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Financial Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in Higher Education or charity organisations. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Make sure you can confidently discuss statutory reporting and financial controls. We recommend practising common interview questions related to consolidations and compliance to show you're the right fit for the Lead Financial Accountant role.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to share examples of how you've led teams or improved processes in previous roles. This will help demonstrate that you’re not just a numbers person but also someone who can inspire and guide others.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, get your application in and let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Financial Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Financial Accountant role. Highlight your experience with statutory reporting and financial controls, especially in complex organisations. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Expertise:Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical financial reporting expertise. Include specific examples of preparing consolidated Group financial statements and managing audits. This is your chance to shine, so let us know what you’ve achieved!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your leadership experience and how you’ve improved finance operations in the past. We love seeing passion and personality, so make it engaging!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of everything. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Butler Rose Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your technical financial reporting skills. Be prepared to discuss your experience with consolidated Group financial statements and statutory accounts, as this role heavily relies on these competencies.
✨Understand the Sector
Familiarise yourself with the Higher Education and charity sectors, especially the HE SORP and Charity SORP. Showing that you understand the specific regulations and challenges in these areas will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed and developed finance teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and drive process improvements.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about VAT, corporation tax compliance, and managing external audits. Prepare specific examples from your previous roles that demonstrate your expertise and problem-solving abilities in these areas.
