Financial Accountant in Cheshire, Warrington

About Us

Slater and Gordon is one of the UK's leading consumer law firms, providing a broad range of specialist legal and complementary services. As we continue our ambitious transformation journey, we're investing heavily in our people, processes and technology to make world-class legal services more accessible to our clients. Having completed a strategic simplification programme, we're now entering an exciting new phase of growth. As our business evolves, our Finance function is developing to support a more focused, scalable and efficient operating model. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking team and play a key role in strengthening financial controls, compliance and reporting across the Group.

The Role

As Financial & Tax Accountant, you will be responsible for the Group's external financial reporting, tax compliance and key balance sheet controls. You'll take ownership of the annual audit process, corporation tax and VAT reporting, while supporting technical accounting requirements and ensuring robust financial governance across the business. This role offers significant exposure across the organisation and the opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders, external auditors and tax advisers.

Key Responsibilities

• Audit & External Reporting
  • Lead the annual external audit process, coordinating requests and ensuring information is provided accurately and within agreed deadlines.
  • Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation, acting as the primary point of contact for auditors.
  • Support the preparation of statutory reporting requirements and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards.
• Tax Compliance
  • Manage the Group's corporation tax process, ensuring: Tax computations are completed accurately and submitted on time. Associated accounting entries are recorded correctly. Effective relationships are maintained with external tax advisers and queries are resolved promptly.
• VAT Management
  • Oversee the preparation, review and submission of quarterly VAT returns across the Group.
  • Reconcile VAT control accounts and investigate and resolve reconciling items.
  • Ensure VAT payments are calculated accurately, approved and submitted within required deadlines.
• Financial Control & Technical Accounting
  • Manage complex accounting areas, including IFRS 16 compliance, technical accounting judgments and related reconciliations.
  • Own and maintain key balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring risks are identified, actions are tracked and balances are fully supported.
  • Support month-end close activities, including journal preparation, balance sheet reviews and resolution of financial queries.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, helping to strengthen processes, controls and ways of working across the Finance function.

About You

We're looking for a technically strong finance professional who combines excellent attention to detail with a proactive and collaborative approach.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent), with ACA preferred.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including statutory reporting, audit and balance sheet control.
• Previous experience leading or supporting annual audit processes.
• Experience preparing or reviewing corporation tax computations and VAT returns.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including the analysis, manipulation and reconciliation of large data sets.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the confidence to investigate variances and drive solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility, influence and challenge constructively.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively to deadlines.

Why Join Us?

At Slater and Gordon, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and rewarding environment where you can develop your career and make a real impact.

In return, we offer:

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working model
• 25 days annual leave, plus the option to purchase up to 5 additional days
• Pension scheme
• Health Cash Plan
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection Insurance
• Career development and progression opportunities
• The chance to join an award-winning law firm during an exciting period of growth and transformation