Financial Accountant

Location: Aflex - UK - Bradley Business Park, Huddersfield

Watson‑Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions is part of Spirax Group, a FTSE100 and FTSE4Good multi‑national industrial engineering Group with expertise in the control and management of steam, electric thermal solutions, peristaltic pumping and associated fluid technologies. When you join us, you will be integrated into a cooperative and encouraging team, participate in challenging yet critical work, and experience ongoing growth opportunities to help you achieve your full potential.

Key Responsibilities:

• This role is a key position within the finance team in one of the UK sites, reporting to the financial controller and supporting them with financial accounting (both monthly management accounts and statutory accounts), tax compliance (VAT, corporation tax, import duties) while maintaining a strong control environment.
• The Financial Accountant is responsible for maintaining accurate accounting records to ensure the Aflex Hose team can deliver their operational and financial objectives to support the wider Watson‑Marlow Business strategy.
• Each month you will prepare management accounts for submission to Group Finance on working day 6, together with supporting files (some of which are due on working day 1).
• You will ensure all accounting entries are documented and approved in line with group controls.
• You will be responsible for preparing balance sheet reconciliations each month, which will be reviewed and approved by the financial controller.
• You will be responsible for the Credit Controller who performs the credit control function, including sales to global customers, ensuring timely collection of all debtor balances.
• You will prepare and submit VAT returns, Plastic Packaging Tax returns, Office of National Statistics returns.
• You will provide spend analysis against plan to department managers.
• You will provide support to, and holiday cover for the Management Accountant to ensure daily, weekly, and monthly sales reporting is completed on time.
• You will provide support to, and holiday cover for the Payroll / Purchase Ledger Team Leader.
• Together with the Financial Controller, you will liaise with external and internal auditors, and Group internal control team, to ensure all control requirements are met.
• You will be responsible for maintaining procedures, to ensure work is completed accurately and consistently.
• Processing supplier payments in line with Delegation of Authority matrix.
• Supporting the Financial Controller through the quarterly planning cycle.

Skills / Experience:

• Recognised accounting qualification (CIMA / ACA / ACCA etc). Will look at part qualified with relevant experience in a similar role.
• Good knowledge of financial accounting standards, and experience preparing management accounts, statutory accounts, VAT returns and ONS returns.
• Working knowledge of financial controls (segregation of duties etc), and experience working in an environment with expectations of a strong control environment.
• Experience working in industry will be beneficial, preferably in a manufacturing environment is advantageous.
• Ability to work to strict reporting deadlines while maintaining high quality output.

Benefits:

At Watson‑Marlow, we believe in taking care of our colleagues. We offer a generous benefits package, including flexible working arrangements and additional support and benefits through our Everyone is Included Group Inclusion Plan.

We are passionate about creating inclusive and equitable working cultures where everyone can be themselves and achieve their full potential. We want everyone to be able to make their difference here, so we will always consider requests for flexible working.

We know that everyone needs some extra help from time to time so we have introduced a range of additional benefits through our Group Inclusion Commitments. These include gender‑neutral parental leave, 15 days of extra paid caregiver leave, paid time off and support for anyone experiencing pregnancy loss or domestic abuse, menopause‑friendly workplace principles and more.

We are also a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you would like to apply using this scheme, please select this option in our application form. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you require accommodations during the application process, please let us know.

At Watson‑Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions, part of Spirax Group, we are driven by innovation and are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is empowered to make a difference.