Head of Financial Accounting

PDSA; Telford; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of Financial Accounting to drive financial governance and compliance. This pivotal role involves overseeing statutory financial reporting, managing audits, and ensuring robust cashflow management. The ideal candidate will be a fully qualified accountant with a passion for financial systems improvement and stakeholder engagement. Join a dynamic team dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of pets and their owners, while enjoying a supportive work environment with flexible options and generous benefits. If you're ready to embrace change and contribute to a brighter future, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Remote and flexible working options

25 days holiday plus options to buy/sell days

Additional Wellbeing Day

Generous pension schemes

Life Assurance policy

Employee Assistance Program

Retail and Holiday Discounts

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with significant experience in financial accounting.
• Proven experience in statutory reporting and audit leadership.
• Strong understanding of cashflow management and banking operations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee statutory financial reporting and ensure compliance with UK GAAP.
• Lead the external audit process and maintain robust internal financial controls.
• Manage cashflow and banking relationships to optimize financial return.

Skills

Financial Accounting

Treasury Management

Stakeholder Management

Audit Leadership

Cashflow Management

Technical Accounting Knowledge

Education

Professional Accounting Qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA)

Tools

Financial Systems

Job description

Head of Financial Accounting

Telford/Hybrid

£62,748 - £67,768 per annum

35 hours per week

Join us to help keep even more people and pets together when times are tough. For over a century, PDSA have provided vital veterinary care for the pets of people in financial hardship. We're now on a journey to expand our reach to support even more people and their beloved pets. To achieve this ambitious goal, we need passionate and driven individuals who are ready to embrace change and help shape a future-focused PDSA. Together, we'll build a stronger organisation to ensure our services help those who need us most for the next hundred years. If you're ready to make a real difference and be part of a team that's creating positive change, we want you to join us. Let's build a brighter future for pets and their owners, together.

As Head of Financial Accounting, you will:

• Statutory Financial Reporting & Compliance - Oversee the timely and accurate production of statutory financial accounts, ensuring compliance with UK GAAP, Charity SORP, taxation laws, and audit requirements.
• Audit & Financial Governance - Lead and manage the external audit process, ensuring a smooth audit cycle from planning to formal sign-off, while maintaining robust internal financial controls.
• Treasury & Cashflow Management - Proactively manage cashflow, banking relationships, and investments to optimise financial return, liquidity, and security.
• Financial Close & Internal Controls - Manage the monthly accounting close process, ensuring accuracy in financial results, reconciliations, and internal financial controls.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Advisory - Provide technical accounting expertise to senior leadership, trustees, and external stakeholders, ensuring informed financial decision-making.
• Financial Systems & Process Improvement - Oversee financial systems to enhance efficiency, security, and operational effectiveness, while supporting continuous improvements in reporting and compliance.

We're seeking someone with:

• Professional Accounting Qualification - Fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) with significant experience in financial accounting, treasury management, and purchase/sales ledger oversight.
• Statutory Reporting & Audit Leadership - Proven experience in preparing statutory financial statements, managing audits, and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks.
• Cashflow Expertise - Strong understanding of cashflow management, banking operations, and investment strategies to optimise financial performance.
• Technical Accounting & Compliance Knowledge - In-depth knowledge of UK GAAP, Charity SORP, tax regulations, and financial governance principles.
• Stakeholder Management & Leadership - Ability to engage and advise senior executives, trustees, auditors, and external regulatory bodies on financial matters. Experience in financial systems implementation, process optimisation, and driving operational efficiencies.

Why Join Us?

At PDSA, we care for both pets and people. As part of our team, you will enjoy a supportive, flexible working environment, along with a range of great benefits designed to make you feel valued:

• Remote and flexible working options to suit your lifestyle.
• 25 days holiday (excluding Bank Holidays), with the option to buy or sell up to 5 additional days per year.
• An additional Wellbeing Day, so you can recharge whenever you need it.
• Generous pension schemes, starting at 5% contributions and increasing up to 10%.
• Life Assurance policy (4x annual salary) to give you peace of mind.
• Employee Assistance Program and Online Wellbeing Centre available 24/7 for confidential support.
• Retail and Holiday Discounts via our fetch platform, giving you access to a wide range of deals.

PDSA is committed to embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion within our teams that reflect the communities we serve. We aim to create a working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies and opportunities for flexible working arrangements to support team members from different backgrounds.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss via email or telephone reasonable adjustments that you may require throughout the recruitment process. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, adults at risk and all our colleagues and expect everyone who works for us to also share this commitment and to treat people with courtesy and respect.

To support this commitment, our recruitment & selection processes are robust and rigorous. All appointments will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.