SENIOR ACCOUNTANT - Global Record to Report

Merlin Entertainments; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading entertainment company in Basingstoke is seeking an Accounting Team Manager for their Finance Hub. The role involves overseeing a team of accountants to ensure financial accuracy, compliance, and operational excellence. Ideal candidates are ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills. This position offers a competitive compensation package and various benefits including a Merlin Magic Pass for attractions worldwide.

Benefits

Pension

Life assurance

Discretionary company bonus

28–33 days holiday

Merlin Magic Pass

Enjoy the Ride pass

25% discount in retail

40% discount on LEGO

Qualifications

• 3 years of experience in month-end close processes with financial analysis and reporting.
• Ability to partner with teams using technical accounting frameworks.
• Experience with process improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of accountants ensuring compliance and high-quality processing.
• Oversee month-end close across multiple entities and prepare reports.
• Drive sustainable process improvements and promote financial best practices.

Skills

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Leadership

Critical thinking

Effective communication

Education

Fully qualified ACA, ACCA, or CIMA

Job description

Overview

What you’ll bring to the team: Are you a people-focused finance leader with a passion for driving accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement? We’re looking for an Accounting Team Manager to join our Finance Hub R2R team, playing a key role in delivering robust financial controls, timely reporting, and operational excellence across our business. In this role, you’ll manage a team of accountants, ensuring high-quality processing and reporting activities that align with company policies, performance standards, and compliance requirements. Working closely with the Finance Manager, Head of R2R, and other FHub leaders, you’ll influence key stakeholders, embed best practices, and support the company’s strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Performance Management: build trusted relationships with stakeholders; champion financial control, compliance, and efficiency; plan workloads and ensure deadlines are met; lead and motivate the team to deliver with accuracy.
• Financial Accountability: oversee month-end close across multiple entities; review reconciliations and maintain accurate records; prepare reports, variance analysis, and audit support; supervise accounting activity and journal processing; own and update process documentation.
• Operational Excellence: ensure close is delivered on time to the highest standard; drive sustainable process improvements; promote best practices across finance; role model company values as part of the leadership team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA – 3 years.
• Proven track record of month-end close processes incorporating financial analysis and reporting.
• Experience partnering with teams and people through an understanding of technical accounting frameworks and problem solving. Able to be the go-to person to consult on matters of subject expertise.
• Knowledge and understanding of SSC & R2R processes.
• Experience with process improvement initiatives.
• Initiative-taking individual with the ability to both operate strategically and tactically and to effectively manage multiple stakeholder requirements while maintaining high quality. Skills: think strategically to shape and optimise R2R finance delivery; lead and inspire to champion accounting excellence; communicate with impact with colleagues at all levels; develop talent to elevate team capability; solve challenges with critical thinking and agility; strengthen controls to identify risks early and implement smart mitigations.

Benefits

We’re growing fast and offer a fabulous package in a friendly environment. Benefits include pension, life assurance, discretionary company bonus, 28–33 days of holiday including bank holidays, a Merlin Magic Pass for free attractions worldwide for you and your friends/family, an Enjoy the Ride pass for unlimited entry to regional attractions for you and up to 5 loved ones, 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants, 40% discount on LEGO, plus more. Pay range: competitive.