Head of Management Accounting

This range is provided by Hays. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more. The client is a well-established, nationwide business with a strong heritage and a leading position in its sector. They operate in a fast-paced environment and offer stability, long-term growth, and a supportive team culture.

Role Purpose

To lead and manage a team of 6 to ensure accuracy and completeness of the financial accounts, producing consistent and well controlled financial information. Proactively identify and problem solve accounting and process issues. Embed process excellence to ensure best in class processes and controls are in operation and documented. Proactively identify and implement solutions for recording and reporting new propositions. Ensure the accounts and team are well prepared for audit and manage relationships with the auditors. Ensure full compliance with Group accounting policies and financial control processes.

Key Accountabilities

• Overall responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the SAP accounts.
• Leadership, management and development of a team of six (4 direct and 2 indirect).
• Lead and co-ordinate each period end close, including production of management account data in HFM, standard reports and Balance Sheet reviews.
• Primary contact for audit of the trading and subsidiary companies.
• Balance sheet oversight and responsibility for intercompany management and recharges.
• Manage relationship with the entity auditors and lead the preparation of accounts for group and statutory accounts audit.
• Finance system structure management (SAP, Cognos, Navision) and development, keeping up to date with reporting needs as the business evolves.

The Successful Applicant

Knowledge, Qualifications and Skills

• Qualified Accountant (ACA or ACCA) with minimum 5 years PQE.
• Previous large company or PLC experience, audit background preferred.
• Successful team leadership and team management and ability to coach and train others.
• A rounded understanding of best practice in financial control built from experience.
• Strong systems and reporting capabilities and excellent excel skills.
• Experience with SAP, HFM and Cognos preferable.
• Exceptional attention to detail and eye for accuracy.
• Drive and tenacity to develop a best-in-class finance function, to challenge current thinking and influence in a constructive manner.
• Ability to manage in ambiguous situations, and with conflicting deadlines, completer finisher mind-set.

What’s on Offer

The role offers a strong base salary with additional competitive package including a c.£5k car allowance, large annual bonus potential, private medical insurance, and a company-funded health cash plan. You’ll also benefit from 25 days’ holiday (plus the option to buy more), a matched pension scheme, life assurance, and a range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits like Sharesave and cycle-to-work schemes.

What you need to do now

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 on your career.