Senior Management Accountant in Bedford

UTAC is a market-leading international group in digital & sustainable mobility, customisable testing solutions, vehicle engineering, homologation, regulatory advice & expertise, certification, training, corporate events and classic & sportscars festivals. The Group provides services and systems to customers in various sectors: mobility, transport, tyre, petrochemical, agriculture and defence industries. UTAC operates test centres and laboratories in France, the UK, USA, Finland, Morocco, and Germany; it has subsidiaries in China, Korea and Japan. UTAC employs around 1300 people across its various locations.

As a group we share a strong and clear vision to deliver safe and efficient solutions and systems to our customers. Our core values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity provide a clear daily guide to how we work together safely, as one team, helping each other to succeed.

To play a key role within the Management Accounts team, supporting the production of accurate and insightful financial reporting. The Part-Qualified Accountant will take ownership of key balance sheet areas including accrued and deferred income, contribute to month-end reporting, support statutory accounts preparation, and act as a finance business partner to operational stakeholders. The role requires strong technical capability, attention to detail, and confidence in engaging with auditors and senior colleagues.

• Ownership and preparation of accrued income and deferred income calculations, ensuring accurate and compliant revenue recognition.
• Preparation of detailed month-end commentary, delivering meaningful financial analysis and variance explanations to senior stakeholders.
• Timely completion and review of balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring integrity and control across key accounts.
• Support the production of monthly management accounts in line with strict reporting deadlines.
• Assist in the preparation of statutory accounts and year-end reporting requirements.
• Act as a key contact during external audits, confidently handling and resolving challenging queries from auditors.
• Provide financial insight and business partnering support to operational teams, helping to drive performance and informed decision-making.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance reporting efficiency and strengthen financial controls.

Experience (Essential):

• Experience contributing to month-end close processes within a management accounts environment.
• Experience preparing accruals, prepayments, deferred income, and balance sheet reconciliations.

Experience (Desired):

• Exposure to statutory accounts preparation and year-end audit processes.
• Experience supporting or partnering with non-finance stakeholders.

Skills:

• Strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and present financial data clearly.
• Ability to manage deadlines and prioritise workload effectively.
• Confident communicator, comfortable engaging with auditors and senior stakeholders.

Personal Behaviours:

• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Professional, resilient, and confident when challenged.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development.

Qualifications:

• Part-qualified accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA or equivalent), actively studying toward full qualification.

Flexibility to travel as and when required. Full UK driving licence. Willing to undergo a Criminal Disclosure check.

UTAC is proud to be an equal opportunities employer, valuing inclusion and supporting our people to be themselves and at their very best. By joining us you will gain access to a broad range of learning relevant to your role and personal development, as well as exposure to leading technologies and expertise. Our reward and benefit programmes are designed to support our people with competitive and locally tailored packages combined with support for individual health and wellbeing both inside and outside of work.

In the UK this includes:

• Life Cover
• Access to a wide range of discounts and offers via the Perkz reward scheme
• Recognition awards linked to our UTAC values of Expertise, Innovation and Integrity.
• Healthcare cashback plans
• Generous holiday benefits
• Contributory pension schemes
• Attractive family friendly policies; maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, flexible working.
• Access to a variety of employee assistance support services.

Candidates for positions at UTAC must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the country the role is based in. Immigration visa sponsorship is not available for this position.