Group Financial Accountant Job at Watford, Hertfordshire Full Time

Purpose of the Role The Group Financial Accountant is responsible for delivering high-quality financial reporting, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and supporting strategic decision-making through robust analysis and planning. The role also plays a key part in strengthening financial processes, controls, and systems across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Prepare statutory accounts for all group entities under FRS 102, including documenting accounting treatments and supporting the annual audit process.
• Take ownership of IFRS 16 accounting and related reporting requirements.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns across all entities, acting as the primary contact for VAT-related matters.
• Manage and maintain group-wide accounting and tax policies, ensuring compliance and optimisation of the tax position.

Group Consolidation & Management Reporting

• Prepare and consolidate monthly group management accounts, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timely delivery to stakeholders.
• Maintain and reconcile intercompany balances, including processing elimination entries during consolidation.
• Deliver ad-hoc financial reporting and analysis to meet evolving organisational needs.

Planning, Forecasting & Cash Management

• Own the consolidation, balance sheet, and cash flow components of the group’s budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning processes.
• Support the ongoing maintenance of weekly cash flow reporting and take ownership of the associated budgets and forecasts.
• Assist in the implementation of foreign exchange policies and manage FX contracts across the group.

Analysis & Business Partnering

• Provide insightful financial analysis and commentary on group performance to senior stakeholders.
• Act as the finance lead on cross-functional initiatives with financial implications, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Support contract reviews and perform financial risk assessments for both new and existing initiatives.

Process Improvement & Controls

• Drive continuous improvement across financial systems, processes, controls, and reporting to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and automation.

Skills & Experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong technical knowledge of FRS 102 and IFRS 16.
• Experience with group consolidations, statutory reporting, and audit processes.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams).
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Strong understanding of project management principles.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to senior stakeholders.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience within audit.
• Minimum 2 years’ post-qualified experience within an industry environment.
• Proven experience working with internal and external stakeholders over a sustained period.

Values & Behaviours

• Demonstrates organisational values through actions and decision-making.
• Contributes positively towards the overall mission and objectives of the organisation.