Lead Accountant

KBR, Inc.; Leatherhead; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Belong. Connect. Grow.

People First culture

Job summary

KBR, Inc. is seeking a Lead Accountant to oversee the integrity of financial reporting and the control environment. You will lead a small team, manage month-/quarter-/year-end closes, and ensure audits and statutory accounts are delivered accurately and on time.

You will partner with tax, reporting and operations to drive improvements and enhance financial transparency within a global, hybrid work setting in Leatherhead.

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Strong Excel skills to analyse financial data and reporting.
• Knowledge of US GAAP and UK GAAP in an accounting environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small accounting team and oversee month-/quarter-/year-end close processes.
• Prepare UK statutory accounts and support external audits.
• Drive process improvements and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Collaborate with tax, reporting and operations for financial transparency.
• Support development of a high-performing finance function and mentor staff.

Skills

Excel proficiency

US GAAP knowledge

UK GAAP knowledge

Audit management

SOX awareness

Team leadership

General ledger systems

Education

ACCA / ACA / CIMA or equivalent

Tools

ERP / GL systems

Job description

Title

Lead Accountant

A career at KBR can change the world — and change your life. If you’re ready, let’s get started. The KBR team of teams delivers future-forward science, technology and engineering solutions and mission‑critical services that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most important objectives, while also helping achieve their sustainability goals.

Role Summary

Join KBR as a Lead Accountant and play a key role in ensuring the integrity of our financial reporting and control environment. Reporting to the Regional Controller, you will provide leadership to a small accounting team while supporting the delivery of accurate, compliant financial information that enables effective business decision‑making. This position offers the opportunity to influence process improvements, contribute to strategic initiatives, and help shape a high‑performing finance function within a growing and collaborative organisation.

Key Responsibilities

You will lead a small team responsible for maintaining the integrity of the general ledger and ensuring financial records are accurate, compliant, and fully supportable. Working closely with internal stakeholders, you will oversee month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and the preparation of management financial reports. You will also support the preparation of UK statutory accounts and act as a key contact during external audits. In addition, you will drive continuous improvement across accounting processes, controls, and reporting practices. The role requires the analysis and reconciliation of complex balance sheet accounts, collaboration with tax, reporting, and operational teams, and participation in strategic projects that enhance financial transparency and support informed business decision‑making. You will play a key role in developing a high‑performing finance function while providing leadership, guidance, and development opportunities for your team.

Required Experience & Skills

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Strong Excel skills with the ability to analyse financial data and produce meaningful reporting.
• Thorough knowledge of both US GAAP and UK GAAP.
• Strong technical accounting expertise, ideally within project‑based or government contracting environments.
• Understanding of SOX compliance and US audit requirements.
• Experience managing internal and external audit processes.
• Hands‑on experience using general ledger and financial reporting systems.
• Ability to work effectively within a global organisation and collaborate with remote teams.
• Previous experience leading, coaching, and developing finance professionals.

Security Requirements

Applicants must be eligible to obtain the relevant security clearance for this role, which requires UK nationality and a demonstrable five‑year footprint of living and working within the UK.

Location

The role is Hybrid where 3 days per week will be spent in the office in Leatherhead. Please note that our main UK premises will be relocating from Leatherhead in Q4.

KBR Benefits & More

Belong. Connect. Grow. At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow.

Join Our Talent Community!

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

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