Group Financial Accountant

Cooks Motor Group; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive group is seeking a detail-oriented Group Financial Accountant for their Milton Keynes office. This hybrid position involves preparing consolidated financial statements and managing multi-entity reporting, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. With substantial benefits and a diverse work environment, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to an established team delivering exceptional financial accuracy.

Benefits

33 days of annual leave

Exclusive retail discounts

Cycle-to-work scheme

24/7 healthcare access

Company pension scheme

Paid community volunteering day

Training and development opportunities

Life assurance

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Experience in financial accounting, especially multi-entity reporting.
• Knowledge of FRS 102 and US GAAP preferred.
• Professional certifications such as ACA/ACCA/CIMA.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing financial statements and ensuring accuracy.
• Liaise with auditors and respond to queries.
• Drive improvements in accounting activities and controls.

Skills

Financial accounting

Multi-entity reporting

Advanced Excel skills

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

ACA

ACCA

CIMA

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Group Financial Accountant - Milton Keynes Head Office

Want to be the best you can be? It's what drives us too.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Group Financial Accountant to join our finance team on a 12-month Fixed Term Contract.

As a Group Financial Accountant, you will work closely with the Head of Financial Accounting to support the preparation of the consolidated statutory accounts of Group 1 Automotive UK Limited, as well as the individual statutory accounts of around 30 UK subsidiaries. This hybrid role will be based at our new UK headquarters in Milton Keynes, where the UK CFO, CEO, and Group FC are also located.

This role involves project work supporting month and quarter-end reporting, liaising with statutory auditors, managing cross-functional relationships, and enhancing reporting and control processes. It is crucial in ensuring accurate financial reporting.

Group 1 Automotive UK is one of the leading automotive retailer groups in the country, with over 115 dealerships across the UK and more than 7,000 colleagues. We represent over 21 brands including Audi, BMW, Citroën, CUPRA, Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, Kia, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche, SEAT, Škoda, smart, Toyota, and Volkswagen. Our mission is to deliver an exceptional customer experience at every dealership. The UK Group is owned by Group 1 Automotive in the US, a Fortune 250 company.

What we can offer you

• 33 days of annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Exclusive retail discounts
• Discounts on new and used cars, servicing offers
• Company pension scheme
• Family-friendly policies
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Support for your wellbeing
• 24/7 healthcare access
• Paid community volunteering day
• Company share purchase plan
• Referral bonuses
• Training and development opportunities
• Life assurance
• Flexible working options available

What you’ll do day to day

• Assist in preparing and ensuring accuracy of financial statements for multiple entities in compliance with standards and regulations.
• Liaise with auditors, responding to queries professionally.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders to facilitate effective communication and data collection for financial disclosures.
• Support reconciliation process improvements for financial data accuracy.
• Drive continuous improvement in accounting activities and controls, documenting processes as needed.
• Assist the management accounting team with transitioning to a new accounting system.
• Ensure compliance with auditing standards, Group policies, and Sarbanes Oxley requirements.

Helpful skills and qualifications

• Experience in financial accounting, especially multi-entity reporting and consolidations.
• Knowledge of accounting standards like FRS 102 and US GAAP (preferred).
• Proficiency in accounting software and advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, macros, financial modeling).
• Professional certifications such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

We value diversity and encourage applications from all enthusiastic candidates, even if you don’t meet every requirement.

Be part of something big

Group 1 Automotive is on an exciting growth journey with over 7,000 colleagues, 114 dealerships, and 21 brands across the UK.

But you don’t need to love cars to work with us — just share our mission to create outstanding experiences for customers, partners, and colleagues.

Our Values

Respect, Integrity, Transparency, Teamwork, and Professionalism guide everything we do.