At a Glance
- Tasks: Dive into finance projects, tackling tax health-checks and audits with precision.
- Company: Join a dynamic PE-backed group working closely with the CFO.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid work model, and hands-on experience.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on finance projects while enhancing your skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong finance experience in a PE-backed SME.
We're looking for a hands-on, technically strong finance contractor to work directly with the CFO of a PE-backed group on a defined set of finance projects: a tax health-check (including a review of R&D tax claims), FRS 102 technical accounting positions, and support through the year-end audit plus additional support on discrete finance projects as they arise. This is a delivery role, not a leadership or strategy role. We need someone who can get into the detail, form a view, and get things resolved with minimal onboarding.
Location: UK (Hybrid), with travel to Group offices as required
Duration: 6 months (day rate)
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Rate: £500-£600 per day (Inside IR35)
Responsibilities:
- Tax: Implement tax health-check findings across the Group; review historic and in-flight R&D tax claims for eligibility and HMRC compliance risk, and identify further eligible spend; liaise with external tax advisers on submissions and technical positions.
- FRS 102: Review Group and subsidiary accounting policies for compliance (including recently acquired entities); assess technical positions such as business combinations, earn-outs, leases and revenue recognition; prepare papers to support audit discussions and recommend policy alignment ahead of consolidation.
- Audit: Act as key point of contact for the external auditors; prepare and review audit files and disclosure notes; resolve queries and help protect the audit timetable; support statutory accounts across Group entities.
- Group simplification: Identify dormant/legacy entities for simplification; plan and execute hive-ups; manage MVLs end-to-end (HMRC clearance, filings, liquidator appointment, final accounts); liaise with legal and tax advisers throughout.
- Ad hoc: Provide additional finance capacity across month-end and reporting; flex onto other projects during peak periods (year-end, audit, transactions).
What success looks like:
- Tax health-check completed with a clear risk register and action plan.
- R&D claims reviewed and substantiated, with any additional eligible claims identified.
- FRS 102 positions documented and agreed with the auditors.
- Clean, on-time year-end audit.
- Legacy entities simplified via hive-up and MVL.
- Workstreams handed over with clear documentation and outstanding actions.
What we're looking for:
- Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA).
- Senior finance experience in a PE-backed SME (essential).
- Strong FRS 102 background in a group/multi-entity context.
- Corporation tax and R&D tax credit claim experience.
- A track record managing external audit relationships.
- Comfortable as a contractor & able to get up to speed fast with minimal handover.
- Highly organised, pragmatic and delivery-focused.
- Confident working directly with auditors and tax advisers.
For more information, please apply directly to this role or call Ben Williams/Hannah Curnow in Bristol.
Finance Consultant employer: Robert Half Careers
Join a dynamic and innovative international organisation in Manchester, where your expertise as a Group Reporting Manager will be valued and impactful. With a strong focus on employee development, a collaborative work culture, and the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership, this role offers not just a competitive salary and bonus but also a chance to contribute to meaningful improvements within the finance function. Embrace the entrepreneurial spirit of our growing team and take your career to new heights in a supportive environment that champions professional growth.
