Senior Financial Accountant in Chester

At Forge Holiday Group, we don't just do holidays, we create memories.

Home to leading travel brands including Sykes Holiday Cottages, Forest Holidays and Bachcare, we're powered by more than 1,700 colleagues and four values: One Business, One Team | Keep it Simple | Grow & Learn | Sustainable Impact.

What You Need to Know

• Salary: £55,000 - £68,000 per annum
• Location: Chester HQ, Hybrid Working
• Contract: 12 Month Fixed-Term Contract
• Reporting to: Divisional Financial Controller
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am until 5:30pm.

The Opportunity

This is a varied and high-impact role where you'll take ownership of key financial accounting areas across the business, ensuring robust controls, accurate reporting and continuous improvement.

You'll work closely with stakeholders across Finance and the wider business, driving efficiency, supporting compliance and delivering high-quality financial information that supports decision-making. Alongside day-to-day responsibilities, you'll have the opportunity to lead improvement initiatives and contribute to wider finance projects.

What You'll Be Doing

• Own and improve key financial accounting processes across the business.
• Deliver accurate reporting across designated divisions, regions and departments.
• Lead process improvement initiatives that strengthen controls and efficiency.
• Support month-end and year-end activities, including UK consolidation.
• Prepare statutory accounts in line with FRS or IFRS requirements.
• Produce technical accounting papers and board-level reporting.
• Ensure processes are fully documented and appropriately controlled.
• Support compliance reporting requirements.
• Partner with departments across the business to drive improvements and add value.
• Support, coach and develop colleagues where required.

What You'll Bring

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with at least 2 years' post-qualification experience.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and statutory accounts experience.
• Experience leading projects that improve controls, efficiency or ways of working.
• Proven ability to challenge, review and improve existing processes.
• Experience preparing technical accounting papers for senior stakeholders and auditors.
• Strong month-end, year-end and consolidation experience.
• Excellent business partnering and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience managing and developing direct reports.
• Advanced Excel skills and excellent attention to detail.
• A proactive, self-motivated approach and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Professional, positive and confident under pressure.

Why Join Forge?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a growing business and make a genuine impact within a high-performing Finance team. You'll help shape how financial accounting operates across Forge while working with talented colleagues across some of the UK's best-loved travel brands.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• Annual bonus scheme based on company performance
• 33 days' holiday including bank holidays, plus up to 5 extra days with long service
• Option to purchase additional holiday
• Birthday day off
• Two volunteering days per year
• Enhanced parental leave
• Pension scheme with employer contributions
• Discounts across Forest Holidays and Sykes Holiday Cottages
• Wellbeing discounts and special offers
• Health cash plan and life assurance
• Learning and development opportunities
• 24/7 mental health support
• On-site gym and parking at Chester HQ
• Employee savings scheme
• Long service awards and company events

Diversity & Inclusion

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, our Recruitment Team will be happy to support you.