Head of Accounting

Head of Accounting

Salary £75,000-£85,000 + comprehensive benefits

Aerospace & Defence

Oxford

Full time

Permanent

I am recruiting a Head of Accounting on behalf of a leading aerospace and defence organisation based in Oxford. This is a senior, hands on finance leadership role with responsibility for end-to-end accounting operations, statutory and management reporting, financial controls, audit delivery and a team of four.

The organisation delivers specialist engineering, maintenance and technical support across complex civil and military aviation environments. The successful candidate will join a highly regulated international business and work closely with Group Finance, operational leaders, auditors and external advisers.

You will need to be a fully qualified ACA or ACCA accountant with detailed SAP and FRS 102 knowledge. This role would suit a credible finance leader who combines strong technical accounting capability with a practical, positive and improvement focused approach.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end accounting operations and manage, support and develop the four-person accounting team.
• Prepare accurate monthly accounts, management reports and balance sheet reconciliations, maintaining robust month end routines.
• Own statutory accounts, UK GAAP, FRS 102 and IFRS compliance, audit preparation and liaison with external auditors.
• Oversee tax packs, VAT, statutory returns, Accounts Receivable, cash collection, Accounts Payable, payments and outsourced payroll reporting.
• Strengthen financial controls, policies, systems and procedures while supporting treasury, banking, customs, import VAT and Group reporting.

Key Skills

• Professional accountancy qualification: ACA or ACCA.
• Detailed working knowledge of SAP and FRS 102.
• Strong experience of statutory accounts, financial close, reconciliations, audit, tax and financial controls.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a finance or accounting team.
• Current UK right to work and ability to complete BPSS checks and obtain SC clearance; applicants will generally need five years' UK residency. Export control requirements also apply.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience within aerospace, defence, engineering, manufacturing or another highly regulated environment.
• Knowledge of IFRS and international or Group reporting requirements.
• French or German language capability.
• Experience improving financial policies, systems, processes and procedures.

What You Get in Return:

Competitive salary, discretionary Group bonus and share incentive plans.

Private medical insurance and pension contribution of up to 8% when you contribute 6%.

Increasing annual leave, employee discounts, wellbeing support and cycle, car and technology purchase schemes.

This company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. Applications are welcomed irrespective of background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available.