Senior Accountant - Permanent

About Us

At Polaris, we’re on a mission to create a safer and fairer world. We provide software solutions that empower police forces and local authorities to enforce and track traffic and parking offences, manage permits and licenses, and control high‑risk assets like firearms and tasers. Since securing support from August Equity in May 2023, we’ve been on an exciting growth trajectory. We’ve expanded our reach both in the UK and internationally, acquired key companies like Farthest Gate, JML Software Solutions, Clarity Information Solutions and Sitestream in the USA, and invested heavily in our operations. Our goal is to build a data‑driven, professionally managed organisation with robust systems and processes, poised for consistent growth and ready to seize new opportunities. We’ve united our legacy brands under the Polaris name, creating a dynamic new identity that reflects our vision for the future. This is an exciting time to join Polaris. We’re seeking ambitious, forward‑thinking individuals who are eager to make a real impact and grow their careers in a rapidly evolving industry.

This is an amazing opportunity for anyone looking to transition from practice after qualifying or for those who have been in the industry and want to expand their skills and broaden their experience. You’ll be working under great leadership and given plenty of opportunities to develop your skills and gain more experience in a supportive group environment.

Summary

The primary responsibilities are supporting the monthly and year-end reporting processes, the production of all key external and internal financial reporting deliverables as well as statutory filing requirements. This role requires great people and communication skills, whether in person, online, or written. We ask for confident and capable Excel skills, as well as strong Word, PowerPoint, and other applications. You will work closely within the Group’s finance team, be expected to own and deliver to high standards for your own work, and be expected to support others through coaching, mentoring and training.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsibility for managing the annual statutory audit and tax compliance process to ensure timely filing of all statutory accounts, CT returns and computations
• Lead and manage the preparation of the Group’s full-year financial statements
• Review of Balance Sheet reconciliations for all group companies
• Responsibility for managing client account bank reconciliations and preparation of cash payments to customers for review by the Group Financial Controller
• Responsibility for processing monthly Group recharges
• Responsibility for managing the debt and equity schedules
• Support to the Group Financial Controller in preparing and maintaining monthly management accounts and payroll schedules
• Support to the Head of FP&A in preparing the month-end reporting and board packs including cash flow reporting

Taxation

• Collation and filing of the Group’s VAT reporting and compliance
• Preparation of supporting schedules for the R&D Tax Credit submissions
• Be part of various group wide projects and key change initiatives

Projects

• Support process and system improvements and driving continual improvement of Group reporting processes including consolidation of VAT group
• Help train, coach and mentor more junior colleagues

Requirements

• Ability to communicate effectively, demonstrating emotional intelligence skills
• Ability to manage and work effectively being part of internal (finance) and cross-functional/group/external teams
• A strong team player able to operate on their own initiative with a proactive approach
• Flexible in approach - understanding of a group function
• Thirst to learn, able to listen, be curious, and demonstrate good common-sense judgement
• Self‑awareness of skills/experience limitations and learning needs, accountable for driving own learning
• Attention to detail, accuracy and high standards of delivery

Your Experience

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with strong Group consolidation experience
• Excellent knowledge of Group statutory account preparation (under UKGAAP / IFRS) and Corporation Tax compliance (including the preparation of R&D Tax Credits)
• Working within a leveraged finance background and/or acquisition accounting experience highly desirable
• Reporting within a Group trading internationally and with overseas registered entities. Exposure to US Federal and State accounting and Taxation compliance highly desirable
• Excel (minimum intermediate) and data analytics skills
• Proficiency with AI assistants for day to day work tasks including demonstrable experience of incorporating AI into finance workflows

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working model
• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• 2 additional 'Moment in Time' days
• Life Assurance x4
• Pension - salary sacrifice scheme
• Health Care Cash Plan
• Income Protection

Equal Opportunities

Our business is an equal-opportunities employer. We make recruitment decisions based on qualifications, skill sets, and experiences. We consider all suitable candidates regardless of their age, sex, gender reassignment, race, religious beliefs (or lack thereof), marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Please note that we can currently only consider candidates with an existing right to work in the UK.