At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical accounting matters and ensure compliance while driving financial insights.
- Company: Join Macmillan, a respected charity making a real difference in cancer support.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, hybrid model, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace promoting diversity and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact on vital financial operations and support life-changing initiatives.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong technical expertise and excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 € per year.
Full time (34.5 hours) we are open to a conversation about how you work these hours. Fixed Term Contract (12 Months). Hybrid - Split between home and our London office - expectations for this role will be once a week in our London Office.
About us
At Macmillan every pound matters. Behind our nurses, support services, campaigns and community programmes is a finance team committed to excellence, integrity and impact. We are now looking for a technically strong and commercially minded Senior Financial Accountant to join us on a 12-month fixed term contract and play a pivotal role in safeguarding and strengthening our financial operations. This is more than a technical accounting role. It is an opportunity to influence organisation-wide change, lead on complex financial and regulatory matters, and support one of the UK’s most respected charities in delivering vital support to people living with cancer.
About the Role
As Senior Financial Accountant, you will act as the technical lead on accounting and regulatory matters, ensuring compliance across the organisation while driving continuous improvement and strategic financial insight. You will lead finance input into cross‑organisational projects and change programmes, partnering with teams across Macmillan to assess financial accounting implications and deliver robust, future‑focused solutions. You will also be a trusted expert and key point of contact for internal stakeholders, auditors, regulators and advisers, while managing and developing Financial Accountants within the team.
Key responsibilities
- Lead on technical accounting matters, ensuring compliance with SORP and UK GAAP
- Oversee VAT compliance, reporting and annual adjustments
- Manage key elements of the annual group accounts and support Board reporting
- Lead financial accounting input into major organisational change programmes
- Oversee accounting and compliance for subsidiary entities, including lottery and trading operations
- Ensure accurate reporting across corporation tax, regulatory returns and intercompany accounting
- Review investments, balance sheet reconciliations and payroll‑related accounting
- Deputise for the Head of Financial Accounting & Tax when required
- Build strong relationships across Finance and the wider organisation to support strategic decision‑making
About you
We are looking for a qualified accountant with strong technical expertise, excellent attention to detail and the confidence to challenge, influence and lead. You will bring:
- A recognised accounting qualification
- Strong technical accounting knowledge, including UK GAAP
- Good understanding of charity accounting and VAT
- Experience leading or supporting complex finance projects
- The ability to interpret, question and challenge financial results and tax treatment
- Strong management and stakeholder engagement skills
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Advanced Excel and strong systems capability
- A proactive, collaborative and solutions‑focused approach
We welcome applications from everyone who meets the criteria and strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under‑represented at Macmillan. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee representation body, ‘Our Voice’ and 8 Employee Network groups help us promote fairness and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.
Senior Financial Accountant in London employer: Macmillan Cancer Support
At Macmillan, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values every contribution to our mission of supporting those affected by cancer. Our hybrid working model offers flexibility, while our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous development opportunities and a collaborative work culture that fosters innovation and inclusivity. Join us in making a meaningful impact, where your expertise as a Senior Financial Accountant will not only enhance our financial operations but also contribute to the vital services we provide to the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Accountant in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance sector! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching Macmillan and understanding their mission. Think about how your skills align with their needs, especially around compliance and financial insight. Practice common interview questions and have examples ready that showcase your experience in leading finance projects.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to highlight your technical accounting knowledge and experience with UK GAAP. Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex financial issues or led successful projects in the past.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Macmillan team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Financial Accountant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Financial Accountant. Highlight your technical accounting skills, experience with UK GAAP, and any relevant charity accounting knowledge. We want to see how you can bring value to our finance team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about working with Macmillan and how your experience aligns with our mission. Don’t forget to mention your leadership skills and ability to manage complex finance projects.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your expertise in financial accounting and compliance. We love numbers, so if you improved processes or saved costs, let us know the figures behind those successes!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to make an impact at Macmillan!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macmillan Cancer Support
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Financial Accountant, you’ll need to demonstrate your technical expertise. Brush up on UK GAAP and SORP regulations before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, especially in relation to charity accounting and VAT compliance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves managing and developing Financial Accountants, so be prepared to share examples of your leadership experience. Think about times when you’ve led finance projects or influenced change within an organisation. Highlight your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex financial situations. Prepare scenarios where you had to interpret financial results or challenge tax treatments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaborative Approach
Macmillan values collaboration across teams. Be ready to discuss how you’ve partnered with other departments to deliver financial insights or support organisational change. Emphasise your proactive and solutions-focused mindset, as this will resonate well with their mission.
