At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance team, manage reporting, budgeting, and support business growth.
- Company: Join DEKRA, a global leader in safety and reliability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a hybrid work model.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values diversity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior role with flexibility and leadership opportunities.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with team management experience and strong SAP knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 90000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid role, Office based Southampton.
Salary: £65,000 - £90,000 per annum, DOE + Excellent Benefits!
Contract: Full-time, permanent
At DEKRA, safety isn't just what we do it's who we are. Part of a global network of 49,000+ professionals across more than 60 countries, we help organisations in high-hazard and safety-critical industries prevent incidents, protect people and strengthen organisational safety and reliability.
A day in a life and the impact you'll make:
DEKRA is seeking an experienced Management Accountant to play a pivotal role within our UK Finance function. This is a senior, business-facing position where you will act as a finance business partner, providing insight, leadership, and robust financial control to support performance, profitability, and growth. You will take ownership of monthly management reporting, budgeting and forecasting, audit liaison, and team leadership, while working closely with senior stakeholders across the business. This role suits a fully qualified accountant who enjoys combining technical excellence with people leadership and commercial influence.
What you'll do:
- Lead the finance team to consistently meet internal and external reporting deadlines
- Produce accurate monthly management accounts with insightful variance analysis and commentary
- Lead month-end and year-end close, including journals, balance sheet reconciliations, and fixed asset control
- Ensure all group reporting and intercompany deadlines are met
- Prepare cash flow forecasts and support financial planning
- Act as a finance business partner to P&L owners, providing timely and meaningful financial insight
- Attend and contribute to Business Manager P&L review meetings
- Analyse financial and non-financial data to support decision-making, profitability, and growth
- Lead the annual budget and periodic forecasting cycles
- Own the annual audit process and act as the key liaison with external auditors
- Ensure statutory accounts are prepared and filed in line with deadlines
- Manage and develop a small finance team (Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable)
- Review and improve accounting processes, controls, and efficiencies
- Ensure adherence to accounting policies and governance standards
- Provide technical accounting guidance where required
- Act as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Work collaboratively across departments to drive continuous improvement
- Champion DEKRA's values, behaviours, and safety culture
What you bring:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA)
- Minimum of 2 years' post-qualification experience
- Proven experience managing and developing a team
- Strong working knowledge of SAP
- Solid understanding of core accounting principles, particularly revenue accounting
- Confident communicator able to influence both finance and non-finance stakeholders
- Proactive, resilient, and solutions-focused approach
Desirable:
- Experience in a multi-entity or group reporting environment
- Background in business partnering within a complex organisation
Why join DEKRA:
At DEKRA, our people live our values every day: Safety first - always, Integrity - acting ethically and transparently, Customer focus - delivering value and trust, Entrepreneurship - taking ownership and creating opportunity, Team spirit - collaboration, respect, and shared success. You'll join a global organisation with strong leadership, a supportive culture, and the opportunity to make a genuine impact at both operational and strategic levels.
What success looks like:
- Monthly management accounts delivered accurately and on time
- Reliable, insightful reporting for both local and group stakeholders
- A motivated, well-led finance team
- Continuous improvement in processes, controls, and collaboration
If you're a commercially minded Management Accountant looking for a senior, influential role with flexibility and scope to lead, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and help shape the future of DEKRA UK. No agencies please. At DEKRA we value your unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We are committed to an inclusive workplace for all team members.
Management Accountant in Portsmouth employer: DEKRA UK Management
DEKRA is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. With a hybrid working model based in Southampton, employees benefit from flexibility while being part of a global network dedicated to safety and reliability in high-hazard industries. The company fosters an environment where experienced professionals can thrive, providing opportunities for leadership and impactful contributions to the finance function.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Management Accountant in Portsmouth
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend finance events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching DEKRA and understanding their values. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs and be ready to share specific examples of your achievements. Confidence is key!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your qualifications; demonstrate them! Bring along a portfolio of your work or prepare a presentation that highlights your financial insights and leadership skills. This will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply directly through the DEKRA website. It shows you're genuinely interested in the role and helps us keep track of your application. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure your CV gets seen by the right people!
We think you need these skills to ace Management Accountant in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Management Accountant role. Highlight your qualifications, especially if you're ACCA, CIMA, or ACA certified, and showcase your team management experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for DEKRA. Mention your experience in financial reporting and how you can contribute to the team's success.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a finance business partner, you'll need to communicate effectively with both finance and non-finance stakeholders. Make sure your application demonstrates your ability to influence and collaborate across departments.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in joining the DEKRA team!
How to prepare for a job interview at DEKRA UK Management
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Management Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. This shows you can provide the insightful reporting DEKRA values.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a finance team, prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your approach to developing talent and fostering collaboration, as DEKRA places a strong emphasis on team spirit and shared success.
✨Understand the Business
Research DEKRA's operations and their focus on safety and reliability. Be prepared to discuss how your financial insights can support their mission and contribute to profitability and growth. This will show that you're not just a numbers person but also a strategic partner.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations. Think of scenarios where you've improved processes or resolved financial discrepancies. This will demonstrate your proactive and solutions-focused approach, which is essential for the role.
