Job Description
Essential Qualifications & Experience (this has to be reflected on the resume)
* MAAT/CIMA/ACCA qualified OR qualified by experience (minimum 5 years in UK-based finance roles) - when was the qualification achieved
* Minimum 5+ years continuous experience working as an Accountant in the UK
* Demonstrated experience in international trade finance, especially in manufacturing, commodities, or logistics
Technical Skills & Expertise
* Proven hands-on experience with foreign exchange and multi-currency reconciliations (GBP, USD, EUR, INR, RMB)
* Multi-currency transaction management
* Advanced Excel skills
* Working knowledge of accounting software or ERP systems
* Experience with import/export documentation and compliance
* HMRC compliance and VAT returns knowledge
Operational Experience
* Full accounting cycle management (A/P, A/R, general ledger, monthly close)
* Global banking activity reconciliation
* Financial statements, cashflow forecasts, and budget report preparation
* Experience coordinating logistics and finance across borders
* Trade-related insurance and legal contract administration
* Shipping documents or customs clearance experience (bonus)
Leadership & Systems
* Personal experience leading/managing implementation and setup of accounting systems (including configuring software, migrating data, and training users)
* Experience coordinating financial input from multiple international offices
* Supporting hedging/FX strategies
Personal Attributes
* Meticulous attention to detail
* Commercial awareness
* Ability to work independently
* Strong communication skills with confidence to liaise with overseas teams and stakeholders
* Commercially minded approach
Preferred Industry Background (Bonus)
* Manufacturing, commodities, or logistics sectors
* Experience with freight forwarders, shipping lines, and customs agents
This is a highly technical role requiring not just accounting expertise, but also specific capabilities in international trade finance, multi-currency management, and cross-border operations. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:
* Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities for complex international transactions
* Behavioural traits that align with managing high-pressure, detail-oriented work across multiple time zones
* Cognitive capabilities suited to handling the complexity of our global operations and systems implementation