Senior Group Accountant

Location: Portswood

Are you a technically strong financial reporting professional looking for a high-impact contract role within Group Finance? This is an excellent opportunity to step into a visible Senior Group Reporting position where you will play a key role in delivering statutory and regulatory reporting within a complex, regulated environment.

Job Title:

Senior Group Accountant

Job Type:
Contract – 6 Month Fixed-Term Contract

Location:

Southampton

Salary:
£54,000 - £78,000

Reference no:
15996

Senior Group Accountant – benefits

26 days holiday

Hybrid working pattern

Annual bonus scheme

Private medical healthcare

Non-contributory pension scheme

Senior Group Accountant - About the role

Based in Southampton on a 6-month fixed-term contract, this role offers exposure to board-level reporting, corporate transactions, regulatory interpretation and senior stakeholder engagement. You will lead critical reporting cycles, manage a small team, and contribute to continuous improvement across systems, processes and controls.

This position would suit an experienced IFRS/UK GAAP specialist who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is confident working across multiple finance functions and senior stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the production of statutory financial statements (IFRS/UK GAAP) and regulatory returns

Take ownership of month-end, quarter-end and year-end reporting cycles

Manage, mentor and develop a small team

Strengthen reporting policies, systems, processes and controls to enhance efficiency and governance.

Review financial statements and regulatory submissions, supporting senior-level sign-off.

Provide clear technical guidance and structured templates across the wider finance function.

Contribute to Board and committee reporting alongside senior finance stakeholders.

Interpret complex accounting and regulatory requirements with technical specialists.

Optimise general ledger structures and reporting processes.

Act as a key liaison point for internal and external auditors.

Drive process improvement and reporting simplification initiatives.

Collaborate closely with Tax, FP&A, Capital & Treasury, Corporate Secretariat and Risk teams.

The successful Senior Group Accountant will have

Strong technical knowledge of IFRS and UK GAAP.

Formally qualified accountant

Proven experience delivering high-quality financial reporting within a regulated or complex environment

Demonstrated ability to lead reporting cycles and improve processes.

Confident stakeholder manager with the ability to influence and communicate effectively.

Comfortable operating in a matrix structure

Desirable:

Consolidated reporting experience.

Experience working with large, complex data sets and financial systems.

External audit background.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially aware, technically strong accountant to take on a visible and influential role within Group Finance on a contract basis. If you are immediately available or coming to the end of your current assignment, we would welcome your application.

Howett Thorpe are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role and comply with all relevant UK legislation and do not discriminate on any protected characteristics. Due to the high volume of applications we currently receive, we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you do not hear from a Consultant within 5 working days, please assume that you have not been successful.

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