Group Financial Accountant in Bristol

Knovia is a growing group of education and training providers dedicated to creating impact, growth, and change through high-quality learning and apprenticeship programmes. As our organisation continues to expand, strong financial governance and clear group reporting are critical to our success. This is a fantastic opportunity for a technically strong, ACCA/CIMA qualified accountant who wants to step into a commercially focused group role.

What does success look like in this role?

• Accurate and timely group financial reporting
• Smooth year-end audit and statutory reporting cycles
• Robust financial processes and controls across the group
• Improved efficiency and consistency in reporting and consolidation
• Strong collaboration across finance and leadership teams

As our Group Financial Accountant, you'll play a key role in group consolidation, statutory reporting, and financial governance, while helping to improve systems, policies, and controls across the business. You'll work closely with senior leadership and external auditors, gaining real influence and visibility within the organisation.

Key responsibilities in the role:

• Financial Reporting & Consolidation
  • Prepare monthly and annual consolidated group accounts in line with UK accounting standards
  • Manage the group consolidation process, including intercompany eliminations and reconciliations
  • Deliver accurate and timely financial reporting to senior leadership and the board
  • Apply strong technical accounting knowledge to complex group reporting matters
• Statutory Accounts & Compliance
  • Lead preparation of group and subsidiary statutory accounts
  • Coordinate year-end audit processes with external auditors
  • Ensure all statutory filings are accurate and submitted on time
  • Monitor changes in accounting standards and regulatory requirements
• Group Recharges & Intercompany
  • Develop and manage a clear and transparent group recharge framework
  • Oversee intercompany accounting and reconciliations
  • Resolve reconciliation issues efficiently across group entities
• Process Improvement & Financial Controls
  • Design and implement group-wide accounting policies and procedures
  • Strengthen internal controls and financial governance
  • Drive improvements in systems, reporting tools, and month-end processes
  • Identify opportunities for automation and efficiency improvements
• Collaboration & Business Support
  • Provide technical accounting support to finance teams across the group
  • Act as a key contact for auditors, tax advisers, and regulators
  • Support continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the finance team

What qualifications and experience we need from you:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA or equivalent)
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Post-qualification experience in financial reporting or technical accounting
• Strong experience in group consolidation within a multi-entity structure
• Preparation of statutory accounts and management of external audits
• Experience implementing accounting policies, processes, and controls
• Strong knowledge of UK accounting standards and group reporting principles
• Experience managing intercompany accounting and recharges

Some advantages aspects include:

• Background in audit or accounting practice (Top 10 / mid-tier firms)
• Exposure to education, training, or not-for-profit sectors
• Understanding of apprenticeship funding and regulatory frameworks

Skill and abilities we are looking for:

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Advanced Excel and financial systems knowledge
• Strong attention to detail and analytical capability
• Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
• Highly organised with strong multi-tasking ability
• Confident explaining technical accounting concepts to non-finance colleagues
• A solutions-focused, forward-thinking approach to problem solving

If you want to see more details of this role, please contact Talent@knovia.co.uk to request a copy of the full job description and person specification.

We are proud to offer a suite of benefits that are handpicked for you:

• 25 days annual leave - increasing with length of service and 8 bank holidays
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Up to 3 days of paid volunteering leave and corporate conscience initiatives
• Recognition and long service awards to celebrate our colleagues
• Perkbox - a suite of discounts, lifestyle benefits and wellness tool
• 4pm Friday finish with flexible working opportunities available

Knovia is committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of our learners and colleagues and we implement robust safer recruitment practices to support this. Dependant on the role you are applying for, we may undertake a number of necessary checks to confirm you are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults, which may include a Disclosure and Barring Service check. We are a Disability Confident Employer and have a guaranteed interview scheme in place to ensure that nobody is overlooked or discriminated against because of their disability. If you meet the minimum criteria when you apply and you have informed us in your application that you have a disability, you will be guaranteed an interview for that role.