At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure accurate financial accounts and problem-solve accounting issues.
- Company: Join a well-established nationwide business with a strong heritage in its sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, bonus potential, and extensive wellbeing perks.
- Why this job: Be part of a supportive team culture focused on stability and long-term growth.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant (ACA or ACCA) with 5+ years PQE and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Experience with SAP and excellent Excel skills are preferred.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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.
Head of Management Accounting employer: Hays
Contact Detail:
Hays Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Management Accounting
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial systems mentioned in the job description, such as SAP, HFM, and Cognos. Having a solid understanding of these systems will not only boost your confidence during interviews but also demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this role requires strong team management and development capabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company’s heritage and position within the sector. Understanding their values and culture will help you align your responses during interviews, showing that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company itself.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with audits and compliance. Since you'll be the primary contact for auditors, having clear examples of how you've managed audit processes and ensured compliance in previous roles will be crucial in demonstrating your suitability for this position.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Management Accounting
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as a qualified accountant (ACA or ACCA) and emphasises your experience in large companies or PLCs. Include specific examples of your leadership and team management skills, particularly in financial control.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses the key accountabilities mentioned in the job description. Discuss your experience with SAP, HFM, and Cognos, and how you have successfully led teams to achieve best-in-class financial processes.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you have proactively identified and solved accounting and process issues in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to manage ambiguity and conflicting deadlines.
Highlight Attention to Detail: Given the emphasis on accuracy and completeness in the role, make sure to mention any relevant experiences where your attention to detail made a significant impact. This could include successful audits or improvements in financial reporting.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Management Accounting, you'll be leading a team. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully managed and developed teams in the past.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Expertise
Make sure to highlight your qualifications and experience with financial systems like SAP, HFM, and Cognos. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've used these tools to improve processes or solve accounting issues.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in ambiguous situations. Think of examples where you've had to manage conflicting deadlines or implement best practices in financial control.
✨Understand the Company’s Culture
Research the company’s values and culture. Be ready to explain how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their supportive team environment.