At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial reporting and provide insights to drive business performance.
- Company: Universal Wolf, experts in complex metal fabrication with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Pension scheme, health support, 25 days holiday, and birthday off.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a supportive team atmosphere.
- Why this job: Combine your accounting skills with real business impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Recognised accounting qualification or working towards one, strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Do you thrive on turning numbers into clear, actionable insight that drives business performance? Can you bring structure, accuracy, and pace to financial reporting, while partnering with teams across the business to support decision‑making?
Who we are: At Universal Wolf, we are experts in complex metal fabrication. We build long‑term partnerships with demanding customers who share our ambition to take on the toughest challenges.
Purpose of position: We are looking for a proactive and detail‑focused Lead Accountant to take ownership of our reporting cycle and provide high‑quality financial insight to support operational and strategic goals. In this role, you will play a key part in ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of management information, while supporting both the Operations team and Group Finance Function with analysis, reporting, and project work. As Lead Accountant, you will be central to maintaining strong financial control, improving processes, and ensuring the business has the information it needs to perform at its best.
What You’ll Do:
- Take ownership of the month‑end accounts production and reporting cycle
- Prepare and post monthly journals, including prepayments and accruals
- Produce accurate and timely management accounts in line with reporting deadlines
- Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations
- Deliver monthly flash reports and weekly KPIs with a strong focus on accuracy
- Oversee accounts payable, including review and sign‑off of payment runs
- Manage accounts receivable, identifying and mitigating any risk areas
- Prepare quarterly VAT returns and support audit deliverables, working with external advisors
- Play an active role in preparing the payroll and sending to the 3rd party provider
- Work with systems including IFS ERP and MRP tools for costing and reporting
We’d love you to have:
- A recognised accounting qualification (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) or be working towards one
- Experience in a relevant industry environment
- Strong Excel skills and confidence working with financial systems (IFS experience is a plus)
- A highly organised and structured approach to work
- Excellent attention to detail
- The ability to meet tight reporting deadlines
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders
Great benefits:
- Financial Wellbeing: Pension Exchange, Savings Scheme, Introduce a Colleague (get up to £1000!), discretionary Colleague Bonus
- Health & Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Mental Health First Aider (MHFA), Discounted gym membership, Bike to Work scheme
- Work life balance: 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays (pro rata), Annual Leave Purchasing Scheme, plus your birthday off
If you’re looking for a role where you can combine technical expertise with real business impact, this could be the opportunity for you.
Lead Accountant in Blyth employer: Universal Wolf Ltd
Contact Detail:
Universal Wolf Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Accountant in Blyth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world and let them know you're on the hunt for a Lead Accountant role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding the latest trends in financial reporting. Be ready to discuss how you can bring structure and accuracy to their processes, just like they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your soft skills! Communication is key in this role, so be prepared to demonstrate how you can effectively partner with teams across the business to support decision-making.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Universal Wolf.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Accountant in Blyth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Lead Accountant role. Highlight your accounting qualifications and relevant experience, especially in financial reporting and analysis. We want to see how you can bring structure and accuracy to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about numbers and how you can support decision-making at Universal Wolf. Show us your personality and how you fit into our culture.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to mention your strong Excel skills and any experience with financial systems like IFS. We love detail-oriented candidates who can meet tight deadlines, so make sure to highlight these abilities in your application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Wolf Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Lead Accountant, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial reporting. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive business decisions in the past. This shows you can turn numbers into actionable insights.
✨Showcase Your Process Improvement Skills
Be prepared to talk about specific instances where you've improved financial processes. Whether it’s streamlining month-end accounts or enhancing reporting accuracy, having concrete examples will highlight your proactive approach and attention to detail.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms, as you’ll need to partner with various teams. Think of examples where you’ve successfully collaborated with stakeholders to support decision-making.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Relevant Tools
If you have experience with IFS ERP or similar systems, make sure to mention it. If not, do a bit of research on these tools and be ready to discuss how you would leverage technology to enhance financial reporting and analysis.