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- Tasks: Join our finance team to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Company: Smiths Detection, a leader in threat detection technologies.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, exposure to senior stakeholders, and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Other info: Inclusive company culture that values diversity and ethical practices.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-visibility role within a dynamic organisation.
- Qualifications: 4+ years of accounting experience with strong statutory reporting skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Smiths Detection is a global leader in threat detection and screening technologies supporting aviation, ports & borders, defence, and urban security. With 5 R&D centres, 21 global offices, and 7 manufacturing sites, our 3,000 brilliant minds have spent over 40 years at the frontline, developing solutions that protect society from explosives, prohibited weapons, contraband, toxic chemicals, and narcotics. Every minute of every day, our technology and people help make the world a safer place.
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.
Qualifications
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
Additional Information
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. We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.
At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website.
Corporate Accountant in Hemel Hempstead employer: Smiths Group
Contact Detail:
Smiths Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Corporate Accountant in Hemel Hempstead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might have insights into Smiths Detection. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical accounting knowledge. Be ready to discuss IFRS and multi-currency transactions, as these are key areas for the Corporate Accountant role. Show us you know your stuff!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a follow-up! After your interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Smiths Detection team.
We think you need these skills to ace Corporate Accountant in Hemel Hempstead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Corporate Accountant role. Highlight your experience with statutory reporting and multi-currency transactions, as these are key for us at Smiths Detection.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; showcase how your skills align with our needs. Mention your experience with ledger systems like SAP and your knowledge of IFRS to catch our eye.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re excited about the role and how your background makes you a perfect fit for our evolving finance team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our careers website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows you’re serious about joining us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smiths Group
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Corporate Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your technical accounting skills. Brush up on IFRS standards and be ready to discuss your experience with multi-currency transactions and statutory reporting. Prepare examples of how you've handled complex accounting issues in the past.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Systems
Smiths Detection uses SAP, so if you have experience with it, make sure to highlight that. If not, do some research on how SAP works and be prepared to discuss how you can quickly adapt to new systems. Showing that you're tech-savvy will impress them!
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
This role is in a change-driven organisation, so be ready to talk about times when you've successfully navigated change. Share specific examples where you adapted to new processes or improved existing ones, as this will show you're a proactive self-starter.
✨Build Relationships
Effective communication is key in this role. Think of examples where you've built strong relationships across departments like Finance, HR, or IT. Being able to collaborate effectively will be crucial, so convey your ability to work well with others during the interview.