Chief Accountant

We are working with a long-established, privately owned international FMCG business (c.£60m turnover) with a strong heritage, excellent reputation and growing global presence.

The business continues to expand internationally alongside its established UK operations and remains in a strong financial position with low staff turnover and a clear long-term strategy.

They are now looking to recruit a new Chief Accountant to take ownership of a broad finance remit, working closely with the owners and senior leadership team in a visible, hands-on role.

This is a broad and hands-on Chief Accountant position with responsibility for leading the UK finance function, alongside oversight of international financial reporting and group consolidation.

You will play a key role in supporting decision-making, improving reporting, strengthening controls and ensuring high-quality financial information across the group.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the day-to-day finance function from the London office
• Managing and developing a UK-based finance team (4 finance staff)
• Overseeing and consolidating financial reporting across UK and international operations
• Preparing monthly and quarterly management accounts
• Supporting the preparation of statutory accounts and liaising with auditors
• Ownership of budgeting and forecasting across multiple entities
• Cash flow management and reporting
• Providing commercial analysis on sales, margins and business performance
• Oversight of stock and inventory reporting
• Managing banking relationships, FX exposure (USD / EUR) and treasury activity
• Liaising with overseas operations and external advisers to support consistent reporting and group consolidation
• Supporting the ongoing improvement of reporting, controls and finance processes

International Exposure

• A key aspect of the role will be oversight of financial reporting across the wider group, including operations in India and China.
• Local accounting support in overseas jurisdictions is provided through external advisers, with the London finance team responsible for oversight, consolidation and ensuring consistency of reporting across entities.
• There may be occasional international travel where required.

We are looking for a commercially minded, hands-on finance professional who is comfortable operating in an owner-managed environment.Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Experience in a broad finance role, ideally within an SME or owner-managed business
• Comfortable operating both strategically and in the detail
• Experience of multi-entity or international reporting would be advantageous
• Strong communication skills and ability to work closely with non-finance stakeholders
• Proactive, adaptable and comfortable driving improvements across reporting and processes

Why Join?

• Long-established, financially stable business with strong heritage and low staff turnover
• Broad, hands-on role with real ownership and visibility
• Direct exposure to owners and senior decision-making
• International exposure across a growing group
• Opportunity to shape and strengthen the finance function
• Long-term progression potential within the group