Group Financial Accountant

Reach plc; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Volunteer day allowance

Bonus scheme

Pension matching 6%

Healthcare cash plan

Car lease scheme

Wellbeing support

Employee discounts

Interest-free loans

Job summary

Reach plc is seeking a qualified accountant to join our finance team. You'll support month-end close, consolidation and statutory accounts in line with GAAP/IFRS, lead on revenue recognition and IFRS 16 leases, and maintain strong controls while coordinating with external auditors.

You will work with local finance teams to ensure consistent policies across the Group and contribute to governance processes, while applying strong analytical and communication skills.

Qualifications

• ACA / ACCA (or equivalent) with 1–2 years of post-qualified experience.
• Strong background in preparing/reviewing financial statements and supporting the month-end close process.
• Practical experience with accounting policies and liaising with external auditors.

Responsibilities

• Support the month-end close, consolidation, and drafting subsidiary statutory accounts in line with GAAP/IFRS.
• Take the lead on revenue recognition, properties, provisions and IFRS 16 leases.
• Maintain robust internal controls and reconciliations including intercompany balances; exposure to UK Corporate Governance and UK SOX processes.
• Act as a key contact for external auditors, preparing financial schedules for management accounts and the Annual Report.
• Work with local finance teams to ensure consistent accounting policies across the Group and provide technical guidance.

Skills

IFRS/UK GAAP

Analytical mindset

Communication

Organisation

Education

ACA/ACCA (or equivalent)

Job description

Hello, we’re Reach. Every day, our trusted news, stories and content connect with millions of people where they live - whether that’s on their social feed or at their neighbourhood newsstand; through their local community or their take on the hot topic of the day.

We're home to more than 120 brands - from household names like the Mirror, Express, Daily Star and Daily Record, to local titles like MyLondon, BelfastLive, and the Manchester Evening News, and brands making a splash in the US like the Irish Star.

It's our ability to understand people and the things that matter to them that makes us Britain and Ireland's largest commercial news publisher. We reach around 70% of the UK's online population, 10% of the US online population, and over 100 million social followers around the world, connecting with them on who they are, where they live and what they love.

Your story, with Reach

As a modern media organisation, we're much more than just news. And it takes a wide range of people and skills to serve diverse audiences, customers and communities like we do.

We know everyone has their own story to tell, so we’ve built an environment where every background is respected and every day is a day to explore.

We’ll help you build a career that works with your life, while giving you the space to create and grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting & Consolidation: Support the month-end close, half-year, and year-end processes. You’ll assist in preparing consolidated group financial statements and drafting subsidiary statutory accounts in line with GAAP/IFRS.
• Technical Accounting Ownership: Take the lead on key accounting areas including revenue recognition, properties, provisions, and IFRS 16 leases.
• Controls & Governance: Maintain robust internal controls and reconciliations (including intercompany balances). You'll also get hands-on exposure to UK Corporate Governance and UK SOX processes.
• Audit & Stakeholder Management: Act as a key point of contact for external auditors, preparing financial schedules for management accounts and the Annual Report.
• Business Partnering: Work closely with local finance teams and management accountants to ensure consistent accounting policies across the Group, providing technical guidance where needed.

Qualifications & Experience

• Fully Qualified: ACA / ACCA (or equivalent) with 1–2 years of post-qualified experience.
• Core Accounting: Strong background in preparing/reviewing financial statements and supporting the month-end close process.
• Technical Exposure: Practical experience working with accounting policies, guidelines, and liaising directly with external auditors.

Skills & Attributes

• Technical Expertise: Robust knowledge of IFRS, UK GAAP, and UK BEIS regulations.
• Analytical Mindset: Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to dissect complex financial data and spot trends.
• Communication & Collaboration: Ability to build strong cross-functional relationships and translate complex financial information for non-finance stakeholders.
• Organisation : Strong time-management skills with the ability to prioritise tasks, delegate effectively, and manage deadlines.

How we'll look after you

We take good care of our people - and that means more than just a pay packet. Whatever your role, you'll get a range of benefits, including:

25 days holiday as well as an extra day after you've been with us for three, five and 10 years. We also have a scheme to help you buy extra holiday if you want to.

An extra day's paid leave each year to volunteer for a cause close to your community or your heart.

Big moment day - an extra day’s paid leave for a moment that matters to you - like getting married, moving house or welcoming a new addition to the family (human or furry!)

Bonus scheme - you'll get a stake in our success and a chance to add to your annual earnings.

Help saving for your retirement - we'll match your company pension contributions up to 6% and you can contribute through salary sacrifice.

Supportive and progressive people policies - we’re proud to have a range of policies to support people in their lives in and outside work, including enhanced family leave and policies to promote flexibility, inclusion and progression. We believe you shouldn’t have to wait to join us to know what to expect from us, which is why we share this overview of the policies we have in place to support families and carers . If there's something you want to understand more about, just ask - it won’t make a difference to your application.

A healthcare cash plan - giving you money back for a range of medical expenses and fast access to doctor's appointments.

Car lease scheme - you can buy a brand new electric or hybrid car through our leasing partner, and pay for it through salary sacrifice.

Wellbeing support - including a 24/7 assistance programme for you and your family.

Access to lots of discounts - including 15% off with Reach's very own online marketplace, Yimbly, where you can buy everything from homewares to beauty products.

Interest-free loans - including for season tickets and technology.

If you’re excited about this role but don’t tick every single box, please don’t let that stop you from applying.

We know that everyone has their own story to tell, and we value potential, passion and the perspectives that different backgrounds bring to our work.

Diverse perspectives strengthen our teams and help us better serve our audiences, which is why we’re dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and supported. As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences.

We are committed to a recruitment process that is fair and welcoming to all, without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender identity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.