At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial accounting, manage audits, and ensure compliance in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a leading international business with a strong focus on financial governance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, performance-related bonus, and leadership exposure.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop a high-performing finance team in a fast-paced setting.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a pivotal finance role and influence key business decisions.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial management and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a leading international business as Head of Financial Accounting for initially a 12 month period. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will play a pivotal role in leading the financial accounting function, ensuring robust financial governance, regulatory compliance and high-quality reporting across the UK business. This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious qualified accountant looking to take ownership of a broad finance leadership position within a complex and highly regulated environment.
As Head of Financial Accounting, you will lead a small team responsible for financial accounting, accounts payable, banking, accounts receivable and financial controls. You will ensure the timely production of statutory and management reporting while maintaining the highest standards of financial governance. Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading the preparation and review of monthly and annual financial statements.
- Managing external and internal audits and acting as a key contact for auditors and senior stakeholders.
- Ensuring accurate and timely group reporting and statutory reporting submissions.
- Overseeing balance sheet reconciliations, internal controls and accounting risk management.
- Managing VAT, corporation tax and regulatory reporting requirements.
- Leading accounts payable, banking, receivables and collections activities.
- Managing financial provisions in accordance with IFRS requirements.
- Driving data quality, compliance and governance standards across the finance function.
- Developing, mentoring and leading a high-performing finance team.
To be successful in this role, you will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong technical accounting knowledge and previous finance leadership experience. You will also have:
- A minimum of three years' financial management experience.
- Strong statutory accounting, audit and IFRS expertise.
- Comprehensive VAT and corporate tax knowledge.
- Experience managing and developing finance teams.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Advanced Excel and strong analytical capability.
- A proactive, solutions-focused approach with the ability to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines.
In return, you’ll secure a highly visible leadership role reporting directly to the CFO, with the opportunity to influence business decisions and drive best practice across the finance function. The business offers a rewarding benefits package including a car and company performance-related bonus. You’ll enjoy:
- A senior finance leadership position.
- Exposure to executive leadership and international stakeholders.
- Responsibility for a broad accounting and finance operations remit.
- The opportunity to lead, develop and strengthen an established finance team.
- A varied and challenging role within a complex, fast-paced business environment.
If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Head of Financial Accounting (12-month FTC) in Milton Keynes employer: Hays Accountancy and Finance
Join a dynamic and rapidly expanding global travel organisation that values innovation and collaboration. As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you'll enjoy a competitive salary and an attractive benefits package while working closely with senior leadership on strategic projects, fostering your professional growth in a supportive environment. With clear progression opportunities and the chance to influence business performance across multiple regions, this role offers a meaningful and rewarding career path.
Contact Details:
Hays Accountancy and Finance Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Accounting (12-month FTC) in Milton Keynes
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Hays Accountancy and Finance.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Hays Accountancy and Finance might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Accounting (12-month FTC) in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Hays Accountancy and Finance will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Hays Accountancy and Finance. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Hays Accountancy and Finance confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Accountancy and Finance
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Hays Accountancy and Finance.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Hays Accountancy and Finance that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
