Senior Accounts Manager in Exeter

Are you an experienced accounts professional who genuinely understands the numbers—not just the process? We're looking for a highly capable Senior Accounts Manager to take ownership of the finance function across a growing group of businesses based in the South West. This is a hands-on, senior role for someone who thrives on improving systems, maintaining financial control, and producing accurate management information that supports business growth.

Why This Role?

This is not a traditional accounts position where you'll simply process transactions and follow established routines. You'll be trusted to:

• Take ownership of finance processes across multiple businesses
• Improve financial controls and reporting standards
• Drive better use of Xero throughout the group
• Manage fixed assets, depreciation, finance agreements, and balance sheet control
• Provide directors with clear, accurate financial information
• Help build a scalable finance function for an ambitious and expanding organisation

If you enjoy solving problems, improving systems, and making a real impact, this role offers an excellent opportunity to shape the future of the finance department.

The Role

Reporting directly to senior leadership, you will be responsible for:

• Financial Management & Reporting
• Producing accurate monthly management accounts
• Preparing profit & loss reports, balance sheets and cashflow information
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and business performance analysis
• Assisting with group reporting and multi-company financial management
• Xero Management & Financial Control
• Managing Xero across multiple companies
• Maintaining robust financial records and reconciliations
• Improving reporting, automation, and financial processes
• Developing stronger controls and reducing manual administration
• Fixed Assets & Asset Finance
• A key part of this role is managing fixed assets within Xero, including:
• Asset additions and disposals
• Depreciation calculations and postings
• Asset register maintenance
• HP agreements, loans, and asset finance reconciliations
• Ensuring asset records reconcile accurately with management accounts and balance sheets
• Purchase Ledger & Supplier Management
• Managing supplier invoices and payment runs
• Reconciling supplier statements
• Resolving discrepancies and improving invoice processes
• Ensuring accurate coding and VAT treatment
• Compliance & Reconciliations
• VAT return preparation
• Bank, loan and intercompany reconciliations
• Maintaining balance sheet schedules
• Supporting year-end accounts and external accountants

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience?

• Advanced practical experience using Xero
• Proven experience using the Xero Fixed Asset Register
• Experience posting depreciation, managing asset additions and disposals
• Strong management accounts experience
• Excellent understanding of balance sheet control and reconciliations
• Multi-company or group accounting experience
• Strong knowledge of VAT, purchase ledger and financial controls
• Excellent Excel skills
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders

Personal Attributes

• Organised and highly detail-focused
• Commercially aware and proactive
• Comfortable challenging poor processes
• Solutions-focused and hands-on
• Trustworthy, reliable and professional
• Able to work confidently in a fast-paced, growing business environment

Desirable Experience

• Experience within any of the following sectors would be highly advantageous:
• Construction
• Plant Hire
• Transport & Logistics
• Engineering
• Aggregates
• Fleet Management
• Asset-Heavy Businesses
• Experience with intercompany accounting, board-level reporting and finance system improvements would also be beneficial.

Competitive salary based on experience up to £45,000. Long-term career progression opportunities. Opportunity to influence and improve a growing finance function. Supportive leadership team. Flexible working arrangements may be considered for exceptional candidates.