Financial Accountant

Financial Accountant

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Location: Maidenhead / Sutton Coldfield (flexible - Maidenhead or Midlands-based candidates also considered)

Job Type: Fixed-Term Contract (9 months), Full-time, 38.75 hours per week

Salary: Up to £70,000 per annum

At Dignity, we're transforming our business to build the UK's leading end-of-life services provider. As part of this journey, we're working through the integration of Farewill, a recent acquisition bringing new entities, systems and regulatory requirements into the group, including FCA and SRA-regulated activities.

We're now looking for a Financial Accountant to join our Group Finance - Financial Reporting Team and take ownership of the Farewill accounting picture. This is a genuine hands-on, problem-solving role for someone who enjoys getting into the detail, fixing what's not working and leaving things in better shape than they found them.

If you're a qualified accountant who's moved from practice into industry, has worked across a few different businesses and systems, and gets satisfaction from sorting out a messy problem rather than managing a steady state, this could be exactly the kind of project you're looking for.

The Opportunity
Reporting to the Director of Finance, you'll take on the management and statutory accounting for several newly acquired Farewill entities, including FCA and SRA-regulated businesses, alongside supporting the wider Group Finance team.

You'll work closely with our Data & Analytics team, our Financial Controller and colleagues across the business to get to the bottom of data and reporting issues, correct them, and put more reliable processes in their place. You'll be responsible for: Owning the management and statutory accounting for the Farewill entities, including FCA and SRA-regulated businesses.
Getting into the detail of revenue and commission reconciliation issues (including with our probate referral partner, New Law) to identify and correct inaccuracies.
Working with the Data & Analytics team to improve the quality and accuracy of the financial information feeding into our systems.
Identifying and correcting VAT errors and working with the Group Tax Manager to keep VAT reporting accurate and on time.
Supporting the preparation of statutory accounts for the four Farewill entities, and working with external auditors on the first SRA audit for Farewill Legal Services.
Supporting the planned migration of Farewill's accounting from Xero to Oracle.
Bringing project management rigour to a business going through significant change.
Why this role is different
This isn't a steady-state reporting role.

You'll be walking into a business that's still bedding in following an acquisition, where the information isn't always right first time and where you'll need to be prepared to question it, get under the bonnet and work out why. There's genuine troubleshooting to do here: reconciling data from multiple systems, correcting VAT positions, and helping bring four separate entities into proper statutory shape.

It's a defined, 9-month assignment, running through to around May/June next year, so it particularly suits an experienced contractor who enjoys coming in, making a real difference to a business in flux, and then moving on to the next challenge.

What you'll bring Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
Experience across a number of in-house finance roles, ideally in smaller businesses, where you've worked hands-on across accounts, payroll, VAT and tax.
Strong IFRS/FRS 102 technical knowledge, with experience of group consolidation and statutory accounts preparation.
Hands-on VAT experience, including identifying errors, correcting them and raising HMRC claims.
Comfort working across multiple accounting systems, both large (e.g. SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards) and small (e.g. Sage, Xero), and confidence picking up new ones quickly.
The ability to commit to seeing out the full length of the contract.
It would also be great, but isn't essential, if you had: Business consolidation or M&A integration experience, from exiting or integrating acquired companies.
Experience in an FCA or SRA-regulated business.
Audit or commercial experience in retail/multi-site or insurance industries, or a regulated/service-based industry such as healthcare, funeral services or utilities.
Project management experience.
You'll be someone who Has real attention to detail, but knows when to step back and ask, "how do I put this right?"
Has an inquiring mind and isn't afraid to challenge information that doesn't look right.
Is comfortable with ambiguity and change and doesn't need everything mapped out before getting started.
Can manage multiple stakeholders who think differently, and juggle conflicting priorities without losing momentum.
Enjoys coming into a business, solving a real problem, and then moving on to the next one.
What's in it for you The chance to make a visible, measurable difference to a business going through real change, with genuine ownership from day one.
Broad exposure across multi-entity, multi-system accounting, systems migration and M&A integration, all in one assignment.
Close working relationships with senior finance stakeholders, including visibility of month-end reporting to our CEO.
A defined project with a clear end point, ideal if you're looking for your next contract rather than a permanent move.
Rewarding leadership with real impact and progression
As a key contributor to our business, you'll benefit from a package that reflects your impact, supports your wellbeing and helps you continue to grow your career with us. Time to recharge - 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, giving you the space to rest and maintain balance.
Supporting you on the move - £4,500 car allowance (role dependent) to support travel where required.
Rewarding your impact - Opportunity to earn up to 10% annual bonus, recognising your contribution to business performance.
Healthcare when it matters - Private medical cover for you, offering reassurance and quicker access to treatment.
Planning for your future - 4% matched pension contribution to help build long-term financial security.
Peace of mind - Life assurance cover at 2x your salary to support your loved ones.
Everyday savings and perks - Access to MyStaffShop, our employee rewards platform, offering savings across high street and online retailers.
Support when you need it - 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health services and confidential counselling.
Growing your career - A strong focus on development, progression and building leadership capability across the business.
Additional wellbeing benefits - Including eyecare support, flu jab reimbursement and lifestyle discounts.
Making work easier - Free on-site parking available at most of our locations.
What are the next steps?
If this sounds like the kind of project you're looking for, simply hit the 'apply' button. A member of our Talent Acquisition team will be in touch to guide you through the next stages of the process.

Why Dignity
Dignity exists to help every family in Britain navigate the hardest moments of life with simplicity, dignity, kindness and exceptional care. Our head office teams, across functions like finance, HR, marketing and IT, make sure the people working directly with families have what they need to do that well.

Dignity is going through a real period of change. We're building better systems, simplifying how things work, and strengthening the business for the long term, and head office plays a big part in making that happen.

We look for people who take pride in their work, support their colleagues, and want to keep learning. You'll be part of a close team, and you'll be able to see the difference your work makes, even when you're not working with families directly.

If you're looking for a role with real impact, a supportive team and a clearly defined challenge to get your teeth into, Dignity is a good place to be.

FCA Statement
Dignity is part of a group that includes FCA-regulated activities, and some roles may be subject to relevant training, screening, conduct, and regulatory requirements. This will be confirmed as part of the recruitment process.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Our Vision is to connect with our clients, colleagues, company and communities based on our principles whilst celebrating our differences. We aim to empower leaders and colleagues to seek out and understand new voices and perspectives; to be vocal about inequity and exclusion, and to take decisive, informed and bold action to promote inclusion and belonging.

Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate, and no fees will be payable. xiskglj

We reserve the right, depending on application numbers, to close or extend the closing dates for positions; we would therefore recommend an early application.