Head Accountant

The Social Shepherd; Remote; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing international organisation is seeking a Head Accountant to oversee their UK finance function. The role includes leading the year-end statutory accounts and audit, managing VAT and HMRC submissions, and owning monthly reconciliations. The ideal candidate must be ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified with strong knowledge of VAT, UK GAAP, FIFO, and Xero. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape finance in a fast-paced organisation.

Qualifications

• Must hold ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualification.
• Proven experience as a sole or lead accountant.
• Strong understanding of VAT and audit processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead year-end statutory accounts preparation and audit.
• Manage VAT, PAYE/NIC, and HMRC submissions.
• Own the general ledger, monthly close and reconciliations.
• Oversee FIFO inventory accounting and FX revaluations.

Skills

VAT knowledge

Audit experience

UK GAAP knowledge

Xero accounting software

Attention to detail

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Job description

A growing international organisation operating in a high-value, fast-paced sector is seeking a standalone Head Accountant to take full ownership of its UK finance function. The role oversees statutory reporting, tax compliance, inventory/FX accounting and financial controls, working closely with senior leadership locally and internationally.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead year-end, statutory accounts and audit
• Manage VAT (incl. margin schemes), PAYE/NIC and HMRC submissions
• Own the GL, monthly close and reconciliations
• Oversee FIFO inventory accounting and FX revaluations
• Maintain policies, controls and accounting documentation
• Manage intercompany processes
• Act as system owner for Xero; drive process and automation improvements
• Support regulatory and AML-related financial documentation requests

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified
• Able to start within 1 month
• Proven experience as a sole/lead accountant
• Strong VAT, audit, UK GAAP, FIFO and Xero knowledge
• Hands‑on, detail‑driven, able to build structure in a scaling environment

Location

National