Head of Financial Accounting

Three Bridges Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with a highly respected organisation to recruit a Head of Financial Accounting. This is an outstanding opportunity for a technically accomplished qualified accountant to lead the financial accounting function of a diverse and complex organisation. You'll take ownership of statutory reporting, technical accounting, audit and financial governance while leading an experienced and capable financial accounting team. This role offers significant breadth, with responsibility spanning multiple trading and charitable activities, complex fund accounting, an international subsidiary and consolidated financial reporting. It would suit someone who enjoys solving technical accounting challenges whilst leading people and influencing senior stakeholders.

Why Work Here?

• Salary of circa £70,000 per annum
• Hybrid working with three days in the office
• 35-hour working week
• 42 days annual leave (including public holidays)
• Opportunity to work for a prestigious and well-established organisation
• Lead a knowledgeable and experienced finance team
• Broad exposure across commercial, charitable and international activities
• Opportunity to influence senior leadership, committees and Board-level decision making
• Supportive leadership with excellent opportunities for professional development

The role of Head of Financial Accounting will give you the opportunity to:

• Lead the financial accounting and transaction processing functions
• Prepare consolidated statutory accounts and ensure full compliance with relevant accounting standards
• Manage the year-end audit process and act as the primary contact for external auditors
• Lead technical accounting matters, including FRS 102 compliance and implementation of new accounting standards
• Oversee financial controls, balance sheet reconciliations and treasury management
• Ensure compliance with charity, company, VAT and wider regulatory reporting requirements
• Manage financial accounting for multiple business activities, entities and funds
• Lead continuous improvement of finance systems, controls and accounting processes
• Provide financial advice and technical guidance to senior stakeholders and committees
• Develop and lead a high-performing financial accounting team

You as Head of Financial Accounting, you will ideally possess the following:

• Qualified accountant
• Significant experience in technical financial accounting within a complex organisation
• Strong working knowledge of FRS 102 and statutory financial reporting
• Extensive experience leading external audit processes
• Experience preparing consolidated financial statements
• Excellent understanding of financial controls, governance and balance sheet management
• Experience leading and developing experienced finance professionals
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex accounting issues
• Experience presenting financial information to senior leaders, Boards or committees
• Strong finance systems capability with a continuous improvement mindset
• Confident communicator who can explain complex accounting matters to non-finance stakeholders
• Resilient and collaborative leadership style with the confidence to influence and challenge appropriately
• Experience within the charity sector, membership organisations, higher education or other complex multi-entity environments would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Candidates with a strong audit or technical accounting background are particularly encouraged to apply.

At Three Bridges Recruitment, two of our values are "striving for brilliance" and "relatability". We want every applicant to receive an excellent experience and ensure that this opportunity is the right fit for you. Should this role be of interest, please apply with your most up-to-date CV or contact us for a confidential discussion.