Senior Finance Manager - Technical Reporting

Head of Technical Accounting & Group Reporting Location: Bedfordshire (hybrid)
Sector: Large, fast‑moving consumer business | Multi‑billion turnover

We are supporting a highly recognisable, large‑scale consumer organisation in the appointment of a senior technical accounting leader to take ownership of accounting policy, complex judgement areas, and group‑wide technical guidance.
This is a hands‑on, high‑impact role suited to someone who is already the “go‑to” authority on accounting matters within a large listed or private‑equity‑backed environment and who thrives in fast‑paced, high‑expectation settings.
The role sits at Head of level and manages a small, experienced team, with significant exposure to senior finance leadership, auditors, and governance forums.
The Opportunity As Head of Technical Accounting & Group Reporting, you will act as the single point of technical truth across the Group, ensuring the consistent, accurate, and commercial application of accounting standards while supporting business growth, change, and complexity.
You will be trusted to move quickly, form clear positions, and stand behind them, balancing technical rigour with pace and pragmatism.
Key Responsibilities Group‑Wide Technical Leadership

• Serve as the primary authority for technical accounting interpretation across the organisation
• Develop clear, defensible accounting positions on complex judgements and transactions, ensuring consistency across entities
• Translate technical conclusions into concise, decision‑ready papers for senior leadership and governance committees

Accounting Policy & Guidance

• Own and maintain the Group’s accounting policy framework, ensuring it remains current, practical, and aligned with evolving standards
• Draft and update guidance on complex or judgement‑heavy areas, providing clarity for finance teams operating at speed

New Standards & Regulatory Change

• Lead technical assessments of new accounting standards and interpretations, including IFRS 16, IFRS 18, FRS 101 and FRS 102
• Drive impact assessments and oversee implementation activity across the Group
• Prepare high‑quality technical documentation for senior stakeholders and Audit Committee review
• Deliver targeted briefings and training to ensure new requirements are fully embedded

Business Change & Transactions

• Provide expert accounting input on acquisitions, disposals, restructurings, new commercial arrangements, and evolving business models
• Partner closely with finance, legal, tax, and commercial teams to ensure accounting implications are understood early and executed correctly

Judgemental Areas & Governance

• Lead the annual impairment review process, including modelling assumptions, documentation, and auditor engagement
• Oversee the preparation of going concern and viability assessments, ensuring robust challenge and clear articulation of conclusions

Audit & External Engagement

• Act as the lead technical contact for external auditors on complex accounting matters
• Manage technical audit interactions efficiently, resolving issues at pace without compromising quality

Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of two technical specialists
• Build technical capability across the wider finance function through structured knowledge‑sharing and training
• Foster a culture of high standards, accuracy, and accountability

What We’re Looking For Essential experience:

• ACA or ACCA qualified
• Minimum 6 years post‑qualification experience
• Significant technical accounting experience gained within a large listed or private‑equity‑backed business
• Proven track record as the first‑line technical reference within an organisation
• Deep, hands‑on knowledge of IFRS, with strong exposure to IFRS 16 and IFRS 18, alongside FRS 101 and FRS 102

Capability & mindset:

• Excellent technical judgement with the confidence to take and defend clear accounting positions
• Able to operate at pace and precision in a demanding, high‑volume environment
• Strong written and verbal communicator, comfortable influencing senior stakeholders and governance forums
• Commercially minded, balancing technical correctness with real‑world business needs
• Experience operating in controlled, scrutinised environments (e.g. listed reporting, auditor oversight, PE settings)

Leadership qualities:

• Proven people manager with the ability to develop and motivate high‑calibre finance professionals
• Collaborative operator who builds credibility quickly across finance and non‑finance teams
• Resilient, adaptable, and comfortable working under pressure

Why This Role?

• True Head‑of‑level accountability without a bloated hierarchy
• Visibility across a complex, fast‑moving, multi‑billion‑pound organisation
• Opportunity to shape accounting policy and influence critical business decisions
• A role designed for someone who wants to lead technically, move quickly, and make a real impact