Internal Group Financial Controller

Swansway Group; Crewe; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-site parking

Holidays increase with service

Your Birthday off

Company Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Long service recognition

Annual flu jab

Discounts for family & friends

Cycle to work scheme

Employee assistance programme

Occupational health services

Car Benefit Scheme

Job summary

Swansway Group, a family-run motor retail group with over 30 franchised dealerships, is seeking an experienced Group Financial Accountant to join the finance team in Crewe. You will ensure accurate financial reporting across the group, drive improvements, and support senior management with strategic insights.

Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, the role covers monthly management accounts, consolidation, budgeting, and system enhancements within a multi-site automotive environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong technical accounting knowledge and multi-site experience.
• Experience in financial reporting and consolidation across multiple entities.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly group management accounts and financial reports.
• Produce consolidated financial statements across 30+ dealerships.
• Support the year-end audit process and statutory accounts preparation.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and internal controls.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations and oversee month-end processes.
• Analyze financial performance and provide meaningful commentary.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting and cash flow reporting.
• Collaborate with senior management to improve financial performance and reporting consistency.
• Support finance systems development and process improvement initiatives.
• Assist with ad hoc financial projects and business analysis as required.

Skills

Financial reporting

Consolidation

Excel

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Multi-site experience

Automotive sector knowledge

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Job description

We are a successful, family-run motor retail group with over 30 franchised dealerships, representing leading automotive brands across our network. Built on strong family values, long-term relationships, and a commitment to excellence, we are looking for an experienced Group Financial Accountant to join our finance team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified finance professional to play a key role in the financial management and reporting of a dynamic, multi-site business.

Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, you will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the Group’s financial reporting, supporting strategic decision‑making, and driving continuous improvements across the finance function.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly group management accounts and financial reports.
• Produce consolidated financial statements across 30+ dealerships.
• Support the year‑end audit process and statutory accounts preparation.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, and internal controls.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations and oversee month‑end processes.
• Analyse financial performance, providing meaningful insight and commentary.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow reporting.
• Work closely with senior management to improve financial performance and reporting consistency.
• Support finance systems development and process improvement initiatives.
• Assist with ad hoc financial projects and business analysis as required.

You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong technical accounting knowledge and experience in a multi‑site environment. Experience within the automotive retail sector is advantageous but not essential.

Key Requirements

• Strong financial reporting and consolidation experience
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with a continuous improvement mindset.

Desirable

• Experience working within the automotive or dealership sector.
• Familiarity with complex group corporate structures and intercompany recharges.

Founded in 2003 by Michael Smyth and his three sons, David, Peter and John, Swansway has grown from five motor dealerships in Cheshire and the West Midlands to the 20 dealerships we have today. From Birmingham in the South to Carlisle in the North we partner with eleven brands including Audi, Volkswagen, Land Rover, Honda and many more.

We’re expanding our own‑brand, Motor Match our used sites, and we don’t stop at dealerships; we operate four Volkswagen Group Trade Part Centres, an Accident Repair Centre, a Group Fleet Sales Centre and an eBay shop re‑cycling obsolete parts. All this is supported by our Head Office in Crewe.

But it’s not what we do that makes us the company we are, it’s how we do it; it’s our family heritage that sets us apart, with the Smyth family playing a hands‑on role in the day‑to‑day running of the business; we genuinely care about our customers and our Swansway family and that makes us a great place to work. We live by our caring, honest and proud values which is why our long service boards are brimming with names who’ve been with us five, ten and fifteen years!

• Free on‑site parking
• Holidays that increase with length of service
• Your Birthday off
• Company Pension Scheme
• Life Assurance- Death in Service Benefit
• Long service recognition
• Annual flu jab
• Discounts on products and services that extend to your family and friends.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee assistance programme and counselling service
• Occupational health services
• Car Benefit Scheme