An exciting opportunity has arisen for a technically strong and ambitious Financial Accounting Manager to join a well-established international engineering and manufacturing business based in Luton.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for a practice-trained accountant currently operating within a Financial Accountant or Group Accountant position who is looking to step into a broader leadership role with greater ownership and visibility.
Reporting into senior finance leadership, the successful candidate will take ownership of the balance sheet, financial controls environment, and audit process across the UK business, while supporting wider group reporting and continuous improvement initiatives.
This is a highly visible role within the finance function, suited to someone who enjoys combining strong technical accounting capability with process improvement, controls, and stakeholder engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Control & Balance Sheet Ownership
* Take full ownership of the balance sheet, ensuring reconciliations are accurate, complete, and well controlled.
* Review and challenge balance sheet reconciliations across key areas including accruals, provisions, fixed assets, inventory, and intercompany balances.
* Ensure robust month-end controls and reporting processes are maintained across the finance function.
* Drive improvements in financial controls, governance, and reporting accuracy.
Audit & Statutory Reporting
* Lead the year-end audit process and act as the primary contact for external auditors.
* Coordinate audit deliverables, ensuring information is accurate and provided within agreed timelines.
* Support the preparation of statutory accounts and related disclosures.
* Assist with technical accounting matters and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and internal policies.
Group Reporting & Technical Accounting
* Support monthly and quarterly group reporting requirements.
* Assist with consolidation reporting and group submissions where required.
* Provide technical accounting guidance across the finance team and wider business.
* Support implementation of accounting policy changes and reporting improvements.
Controls & Process Improvement
* Identify opportunities to strengthen controls, streamline processes, and improve reporting quality.
* Support finance transformation and system/process enhancement initiatives.
* Work collaboratively with operational finance and transactional teams to improve financial integrity and reporting discipline.
* Help develop scalable and efficient reporting frameworks as the business continues to evolve.
Candidate Profile
* ACA / ACCA qualified.
* Ideally audit trained within practice before moving into industry.
* Current experience within a Financial Accountant, Group Accountant, or similar technical accounting role.
* Strong understanding of balance sheet control, audit, and financial reporting processes.
* Experience working with external auditors and managing audit deliverables.
* Strong technical accounting knowledge and attention to detail.
* Excellent Excel and financial systems capability.
Salary
£65,000 – £72,000 basic salary plus comprehensive benefits package, including hybrid working (initially 4 days per week office-based during probation, reducing to 3 days per week thereafter).