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- Tasks: Join our finance team to ensure accurate reporting and maintain robust accounting structures.
- Company: Smiths Detection, a dynamic organisation embracing change and continuous improvement.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, exposure to senior stakeholders, and a technically rich role.
- Other info: Ideal for adaptable candidates who thrive in evolving environments.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile corporate accounting position.
- Qualifications: Minimum 4 years' accounting experience with strong statutory reporting skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
As we continue to evolve and strengthen our corporate finance capability, we are looking for a Corporate Accountant to join our Head Office finance team based in Hemel Hempstead. This is a high‑profile role within an evolving, change‑driven organisation, ideal for someone who enjoys technical accounting, values strong financial control, and sees change as a positive opportunity.
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Financial Control / Divisional Financial Controller, you will be a key contributor to the head office accounting function, ensuring accurate, timely and high‑quality statutory and management reporting across the Smiths Detection Group’s corporate entities. You will play an important role in maintaining robust ledger structures, supporting statutory reporting, and ensuring that accounting data aligns with the corporate functional structure. The role has a strong technical accounting focus, including multi‑currency transactions, loans, share capital, dividends and complex FX, working closely with Treasury and Tax.
Key Responsibilities
- Preparation and maintenance of management reports for central functions, using ledger and headcount data
- Ownership of management reporting structures (cost centres, GL hierarchies) to enable effective cost control and variance analysis
- Ensuring costs are recorded accurately in the correct ledgers; advising on coding and improving upstream data quality with HR, T&E and Master Data teams
- Accounting under IFRS for central entities, including loans, interest, equity transactions, dividends and foreign exchange
- Preparation of UK statutory accounts and support for internal and external audits
- Maintenance of distributable reserves tracking
- Maintaining registers for centrally issued bonds and guarantees
- Ensuring consistency between SAP, SAP BW and Oracle EPM (FCCS / EPBCS) through mapping tables
- Supporting forecasts, budgets and ad‑hoc finance projects
- Promoting strong financial controls, compliance and Smiths Detection policies
About You
This role is not suitable for someone in their first role out of practice. We are specifically looking for a candidate with depth of experience who can operate with confidence and autonomy in a corporate environment.
Essential experience and skills:
- Minimum 4 years’ accounting experience (at least 2 years in industry)
- Strong statutory reporting experience (UK statutory accounts preparation is essential)
- Proven experience working with a ledger system (SAP preferred)
- Multi‑currency accounting experience is essential
- Solid knowledge of IFRS and application of accounting standards
- Experience working in a head office or divisional finance function within a multinational organisation
- Comfortable working in a changing environment and able to adapt as the organisation evolves
Qualifications
ACA or ACCA preferred. CIMA will be considered only where there is clear evidence of statutory accounting experience.
Personal Attributes
- Technically strong and detail‑focused, with a “right first time” mindset
- Well‑organised and able to manage deadlines such as month‑end close
- Confident communicator, able to build effective relationships across Finance, HR, IT, Treasury and Tax
- A flexible, proactive self‑starter who enjoys improvement, challenge and change
Why Join Smiths Detection?
- Hybrid working from our Hemel Hempstead office
- A technically rich, high‑visibility corporate accounting role
- Exposure to complex group structures and senior stakeholders
- An organisation genuinely embracing change and continuous improvement
If you are an experienced, qualified accountant with strong statutory reporting credentials and a positive, adaptable mindset, we would love to hear from you.
Corporate Accountant employer: Smiths Detection
Contact Detail:
Smiths Detection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work at Smiths Detection or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical accounting skills. Make sure you can confidently discuss IFRS, multi-currency transactions, and statutory reporting. We want you to shine when it comes to showcasing your expertise!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply and wait! Follow up on your applications through our website. A quick email expressing your enthusiasm can keep you on the radar and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay adaptable and open-minded during the job search. The finance landscape is always changing, and showing that you can embrace change will make you stand out as a candidate who fits right into the evolving culture at Smiths Detection.
We think you need these skills to ace Corporate Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your statutory reporting experience and any work with ledger systems like SAP, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in accounting and how you’ve adapted to change in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role has a strong technical focus, don’t shy away from detailing your experience with multi-currency transactions and IFRS. We want to see that you can handle the complexities of corporate accounting.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Smiths Detection.
How to prepare for a job interview at Smiths Detection
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your technical accounting knowledge, especially around IFRS and multi-currency transactions. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in statutory reporting and how you've handled complex financial scenarios.
✨Master the Ledger Systems
Familiarise yourself with SAP and any other ledger systems mentioned in the job description. If you have experience with these systems, prepare to share how you've used them effectively in previous roles, particularly in relation to cost control and variance analysis.
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
Since the role involves working in a changing environment, think of instances where you've successfully adapted to change. Highlight your proactive approach and how you've contributed to improvements in financial processes or controls in your previous positions.
✨Build Relationships
As a Corporate Accountant, you'll need to communicate effectively across various departments. Prepare to discuss how you've built relationships with teams like HR, Treasury, and Tax in the past, and how those collaborations have led to better financial outcomes.