What Jobs are available for Accounting Professionals in the United Kingdom?

• Are you a qualified financial accountant with relevant post qualified experience?
• Do you have experience from within the charity sector?
• Have you led, developed and managed a team to deliver results within key deadlines and timescales?

This well-known and high-profile organisation is looking to recruit a qualified Financial Accounting Manager to lead and develop the financial accounting team with responsibility for the statutory accounts production, VAT and tax compliance and all the external reporting requirements.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, your daily duties will include:

• Ensuring the annual report and statutory accounts for the charity and all its subsidiaries are prepared in accordance with accounting standards including Charities SORP
• Compliance with all the relevant tax regulations, including corporation tax, income tax and VAT
• Monitoring and forecasting cash flow whilst maintaining appropriate treasury procedures
• Manage and motivate the performance of the team through regular meetings to appraise their performance against targets
• Deputise for the Head of Finance when required on all aspects of Financial Accounting

The successful candidate will be an ACA/ACCA qualified accountant with post-qualified experience from a complex multi-faceted organisation, with proven experience in the production of consolidated Statutory Accounts to the regulatory standards of SORP, whilst dealing with the external audit requirements.

You must possess first class interpersonal, communication and presentation skills and have the ability to convey key financial issues to non-finance staff, with the ability to understand wider stakeholder needs and adapt services appropriately.

At
Pennon Group
, we're proud to be leading the way in the water and renewables industries. Alongside our subsidiaries - South West Water, Bristol Water, Bournemouth Water, SES Water, Pennon Water Services and Pennon Power - we're committed to delivering a sustainable future of our region. Because we know that by continually driving up our standards today, we'll build a better tomorrow for our communities.

About The Role
Are you a qualified Accountant looking to take the next step in your career? Do you want to play a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of strong financial control and reporting for one of the UK's leading water utility groups?

We have an excellent opportunity for a
Financial Accounting Manager
to join our Finance team, with a particular focus on
SES Water
, part of the
Pennon Group
. This role can be based out of either
Exeter or Bristol
on a
full-time permanent
basis. You will receive a competitive salary of
£60,000 - £70,000 per annum
plus excellent benefits.

You'll be part of the management of the Financial Control team, where your technical expertise, leadership and insight will significantly contribute to the delivery of the Group's results. This is a key role in ensuring the integrity of our financial reporting, strengthening internal controls and supporting regulatory compliance as the Group continues to grow.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead Financial Control for SES Water
• Act as the key point of contact for SES Water financial control and the external auditors
• Manage the provision of financial information for SES Water across monthly, half-yearly, and annual reporting cycles
• Lead the preparation of statutory accounts for SES Water and support the Group's consolidated reporting

Deliver Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICoFR)

• Map processes and Risk and Controls Matrices (RACM) for SES Water and manage the annual control testing process
• Support the roll-out of ICoFR frameworks across the wider Pennon Group, ensuring consistency and compliance

Collaborate and Influence

• Work closely with finance and business stakeholders to ensure accounting treatments accurately reflect business activity
• Support implementation of new accounting policies and standards across the Group
• Provide analysis on the impact of new accounting developments and regulatory changes
• Support the Head of Finance Control, Reporting & Accounting in producing necessary board papers on financial reporting and technical accounting issues

Audit, Reporting & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead on the external audit process for SES Water, including planning, deliverables, and resolution of accounting issues
• Support Group and subsidiary statutory accounts preparation
• Deliver accurate financial information for inclusion in Ofwat's Annual Performance Report
• Review the VAT and Corporation Tax working papers to ensure compliance

What we are looking for:

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified Accountant
• Extensive experience of preparing financial information in a corporate environment at Group and company level
• Fully conversant with reporting under IFRS and able to take technical lead on new standards/issues
• Strong accounting skills including consolidation and group restructuring
• Understanding of the water sector would be advantageous but not essential

What's in it for you:

• We know that the support and commitment of our staff is key to our success so you will receive the opportunity for ongoing development and training for a long-term career with us. We're one of the largest companies in the South West and are proud to have been awarded Investors in People recognition.

In return, we offer an excellent range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday allowance plus bank holidays
• A discretionary Bonus
• Competitive Contributory Pension
• Share-save Scheme
• Various health benefits
• Wellbeing support programmes
• A range of Group Discounts
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Financial support services
• And plenty more

Closing Date: Tuesday 12th November 2025
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way.
Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.

Our core values which are essential to our success are:
Be Rock Solid
- Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.

Be You
- We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.

Be the Future
- Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.

• Lead and manage the financial accounting team, providing direction and professional development.
• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with IFRS/UK GAAP.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards, tax regulations, and statutory requirements.
• Manage the year-end audit process, liaising with external auditors.
• Develop, implement, and maintain robust internal controls and accounting policies.
• Oversee the month-end and year-end close processes.
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger functions.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for process automation and efficiency improvements within the accounting function.
• Ensure the accurate reporting of financial information to stakeholders.

• Qualified Accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience.
• Proven experience (8+ years) in a senior accounting or financial reporting role.
• Extensive knowledge of IFRS and UK GAAP.
• Experience managing teams and driving operational improvements.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and audit processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in accounting software and ERP systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience within the financial services industry is highly advantageous.

• Oversee all aspects of the accounting department, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and payroll.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS/GAAP.
• Develop and maintain robust internal control systems to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance.
• Manage the year-end audit process and liaise with external auditors.
• Develop and implement accounting policies and procedures.
• Lead the budgeting and forecasting processes, providing financial analysis and insights.
• Monitor financial performance against budgets and provide variance explanations.
• Manage cash flow and working capital effectively.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop the accounting team.
• Utilise accounting software and systems to streamline processes and improve efficiency.
• Identify and implement process improvements within the finance function.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and tax laws.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or equivalent professional accounting qualification is essential.
• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in accounting and financial management.
• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or in a senior accounting leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS or GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., NetSuite, Xero, SAP) and advanced Excel skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in developing and implementing financial systems.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting and manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Oversee all aspects of management accounting, including financial statement preparation, general ledger management, and accounts payable/receivable.
• Develop and implement robust internal control systems to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and periodic financial forecasting, providing detailed variance analysis and recommendations.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for senior management, highlighting key performance indicators (KPIs) and financial trends.
• Manage the month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Conduct in-depth financial analysis to identify opportunities for cost reduction, revenue enhancement, and operational efficiency improvements.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards (e.g., UK GAAP, IFRS) and tax regulations.
• Collaborate with external auditors during annual audits.
• Mentor, train, and develop the accounting team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Provide financial insights and support for strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, and new business ventures.

• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Professional qualification such as ACCA, CIMA, or ACA is essential.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in accounting and financial management, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Proven experience in management accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Strong knowledge of UK accounting standards and tax legislation.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks) and advanced Excel skills.
• Exceptional leadership and team management capabilities.
• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly and concisely.