Head of Accounting (UK)

Evotec SE; Abingdon; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health insurance

Dental cover

Life assurance

Wellbeing support

Discretionary bonus scheme

Cycle-to-work

Refer a friend scheme

Job summary

Evotec SE in Abingdon, UK is seeking a Local Head of Accounting UK to oversee accounting for UK entities and act as a liaison between global finance and local stakeholders. This permanent, full-time role requires strong knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS, and experience leading accounting teams.

You will ensure timely financial reporting, manage close processes, and support audits. Hybrid work arrangement in Abingdon with a competitive salary and excellent company benefits.

Qualifications

• University degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• ACA qualification (ACCA considered where supported by relevant experience).
• Progressive experience in Accounting, ideally within multinational environments and managing teams.
• Strong knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS.
• Solid understanding of internal controls, SOX/ICFR frameworks, and audit processes.
• Experience with ERP systems.
• Strong technical accounting and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Excellent communication and people leadership skills.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all accounting activities for UK entities, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes in line with group reporting deadlines.
• Review and approve accounting entries, reconciliations, and local reporting deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with UK GAAP and IFRS.
• Oversee preparation and coordination of statutory financial statements and related filings.
• Act as primary contact for statutory auditors, tax advisors, and UK regulators.
• Monitor changes in UK accounting and regulatory requirements and assess impact.
• Ensure internal controls compliance, SOX/ICFR requirements, and corporate accounting policies.
• Maintain a robust, audit-ready local control environment.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Partner with Tax, Treasury, Controlling, Procurement, HR, and operations on accounting matters.
• Support business initiatives and special projects from an accounting perspective.
• Provide technical accounting guidance to local stakeholders.
• Escalation point for complex accounting issues and judgmental matters.
• Drive continuous improvement of UK accounting processes in alignment with global finance transformation objectives.
• Support implementation of new accounting policies, systems, and process changes.
• Contribute to harmonization and standardization across the accounting organization.
• Lead, coach, and develop the UK accounting team.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Accounting leadership

UK GAAP & IFRS

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication

ERP systems

Education

University degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field

ACA qualification (ACCA considered)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

We are looking for a Local Head of Accounting UK, to join our Global Accounting organization. This role is based in Abingdon, UK.

The Local Head of Accounting UK will be responsible for overseeing all accounting activities for the UK legal entities and ensuring the integrity of statutory and management financial reporting. The role acts as the primary finance lead for UK accounting matters and serves as the key interface between the global finance organization and local business stakeholders.

Role: Head of Accounting (UK)

Role Type: Permanent

Salary: Competitive salary, plus excellent company benefits

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Location: Hybrid, Abingdon, Oxfordshire

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all accounting activities for UK legal entities, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting
• Manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes in accordance with group reporting deadlines
• Review and approve accounting entries, reconciliations, and local reporting deliverables
• Ensure compliance with UK GAAP and IFRS
• Oversee preparation and coordination of statutory financial statements and related filings
• Act as primary contact for statutory auditors, tax advisors, and UK regulatory authorities
• Monitor changes in UK accounting and regulatory requirements and assess business impact
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, SOX/ICFR requirements, and corporate accounting policies
• Maintain a robust and audit-ready local control environment
• Support internal and external audits
• Ensure appropriate documentation of accounting processes and controls
• Partner with Tax, Treasury, Controlling, Procurement, HR, and operational stakeholders on accounting-related matters
• Support business initiatives and special projects from an accounting perspective
• Provide technical accounting guidance to local stakeholders
• Act as escalation point for complex accounting issues and judgmental matters
• Drive continuous improvement of UK accounting processes in alignment with global finance transformation objectives
• Support implementation of new accounting policies, systems, and process changes
• Contribute to harmonization and standardization initiatives across the accounting organization
• Lead, coach, and develop the UK accounting team
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Required Qualifications

• University degree (or equivalent) in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field
• ACA qualification (ACCA considered where supported by relevant experience)
• Progressive experience in Accounting, ideally within multinational environments and managing teams
• Strong knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS
• Solid understanding of internal controls, SOX/ICFR frameworks, and audit processes
• Experience with ERP systems
• Strong technical accounting and analytical skills
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities
• Excellent communication and people leadership skills
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities

Company Benefits

• Pension on completion of (but not subject to) your 3-month probationary period. Contributions 6% for employees (salary sacrifice) and 6% for the employer. The employee can opt to increase their contribution, and the employer will match the increase up to a maximum of 7.5%.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and additional length of service days awarded on the anniversary, up to a maximum of 30 days.
• Private health insurance with BUPA for the employees and their partner/family under the company scheme.
• Private dental cover, after 3 months of service.
• Life assurance at four times your annual base salary.
• Well being support 24/7 and counselling services.
• Permanent health insurance provides 75% of the base salary after the qualifying period.
• Eligibility to participate in the Company Bonus Scheme. This is a discretionary benefit.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Refer a friend scheme, recognition awards and many more!

FR : Dans le cadre de sa politique Diversité, Evotec étudie, à compétences égales, toutes les candidatures dont celles des personnes en situation de handicap.

ENG : In the frame of our Diversity policy, Evotec considers, with equal competences, all applications including people with disabilities.