Group Financial Accountant in Leeds

Group Corporate Financial Accountant | Leeds | c45k-55k

From technical expert to commercial influencer

Most reporting roles ask you to produce numbers. This one asks you to understand them, challenge them, and use them to shape decisions.

You’ll be joining a major iconic national business in the middle of a significant transformation – moving from a traditional commercial model into a more complex, multi‑stream business spanning collaborations, contracts and large‑scale partnerships. It’s a shift that’s changing the role finance plays across the organisation. "We’re shifting from traditional commercial operations to a much more diversified model – and finance is right at the centre of that."

Your role in that transformation

At its core, this is a group reporting role with real breadth. You’ll take ownership of ensuring the numbers are accurate, consistent and reliable – but that’s only the starting point. From there, you’ll be expected to:

• Interpret performance
• Identify trends and issues
• Engage with stakeholders across the business
• Contribute to how decisions are made

"Yes, you need to ensure the numbers are correct and accurate – but we want people who go beyond that and add insight."

This is where technical accounting becomes something more valuable.

Why this role is different

You won’t be producing reports that disappear into a pack. You’ll be working in a finance function that has genuine visibility and influence. "Finance very much has a seat at the table. Senior leadership want to understand the numbers and get under the skin of it."

That means:

• Your analysis gets seen
• Your input is valued
• Your work contributes to real outcomes

Including:

• Strategic planning
• Commercial decisions
• Large‑scale bids and contracts

"There are multiple projects going on that offer real scope for involvement and impact – areas where the right person can really make their mark."

The work you’ll be involved in

Alongside core reporting, you’ll play a role in a number of high‑impact areas:

• Improving revenue data quality and consistency across systems
• Supporting commercial contract management and reporting
• Enhancing management reporting outputs and insight
• Contributing to projects linked to multi‑million pound deals

It’s a role where you’ll see the end‑to‑end impact of your work, not just your part in it.

What they’re really looking for

This isn’t about hiring the most technically experienced person. Mindset matters more. "I’d much prefer someone who’s hungry, wants to learn and is mouldable over someone who’s just technically experienced."

They’re looking for someone who:

• Doesn’t just sit behind spreadsheets
• Is curious about how the business works
• Is willing to ask questions and challenge
• Takes ownership and looks to improve things

"That hunger and drive is what really makes the difference – it’s what sets our best people apart."

Your development path

This role is designed as a platform, not a destination. You’ll start with strong technical exposure, but quickly build:

• Commercial awareness
• Stakeholder engagement skills
• Broader business understanding

And there is a proven track record of progression.

"We’ve had people join as trainees, move through central finance and FP&A, then into the bid team and into permanent commercial roles."

For the right person, this is a genuine route into:

• FP&A
• Commercial finance
• Strategic or operational roles

"If we’ve got the right person in the right role, we won’t want to let them go – there are exciting opportunities ahead."

What success looks like

Success isn’t just producing accurate reports.

• Taking ownership of your outputs
• Improving how reporting is done
• Building relationships across the business
• Turning numbers into something useful

"We’re looking for people with the proactivity to go to the next step – not just reporting, but interpretation and insight."

The ideal profile

• ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified (or close)
• Strong grounding in financial or group reporting
• Evidence of initiative beyond core responsibilities
• Confidence to engage with stakeholders
• Interest in developing commercially

This could suit:

• A first‑time mover from practice (or)
• Someone in industry looking to broaden their role
• A technically strong accountant ready for more exposure, commercial influence and multiple development pathways

What you’ll get in return

• Competitive salary
• Strong pension offering (10%!)
• Hybrid working
• Exposure to senior stakeholders
• A clear and realistic development pathway

But more importantly:

A role where your technical skills become the foundation for something bigger.

Final thought

If you’re at the stage where:

• You’ve built strong technical foundations
• But don’t want to be limited to reporting

This is an opportunity to step into a role where your work doesn’t just explain the past – it helps shape what happens next.