Head of Financial Accounting

Our client is an established and ambitious organisation operating within the affordable housing sector. With a diverse property portfolio and plans for continued growth, the organisation is investing in its finance function to support its long-term objectives and strengthen its financial operations.

Working across a complex organisational structure, the business is seeking an experienced and commercially aware Head of Financial Accounting to provide strong technical leadership, enhance financial governance and drive improvements across its accounting processes.

Reporting to the senior finance leadership team, this is a broad and influential role covering financial reporting, treasury, balance sheet management, fixed assets, debt accounting and transactional finance.

You will lead a dedicated team, ensuring robust financial controls, effective processes and the delivery of accurate, timely and insightful financial information to support sound decision-making across the organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop the financial accounting team, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance.
• Oversee the preparation of statutory accounts across a complex group structure, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and reporting requirements.
• Manage the external audit process, coordinating stakeholders and ensuring financial statements are completed accurately, efficiently and within agreed deadlines.
• Oversee indirect and direct tax compliance, including VAT, with responsibility for navigating complex tax arrangements and ensuring appropriate controls are maintained.
• Lead the accounting treatment and ongoing reporting of financing arrangements, including loans and leases.
• Oversee property asset accounting, ensuring fixed asset registers, capital expenditure and component accounting are accurately maintained.
• Manage cashflow forecasting and treasury activities, ensuring appropriate liquidity while maximising returns on available funds.
• Maintain and strengthen financial controls across transactional finance, including procurement, supplier management, purchase orders and payment processes.
• Work closely with colleagues across the organisation to improve the efficiency, consistency and effectiveness of financial operations.
• Ensure accounting policies, procedures and reconciliations are well documented, consistently applied and regularly reviewed.
• Oversee balance sheet integrity and ensure financial balances are reconciled and agreed with relevant external partners and stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and reporting, supporting the continued development of the wider finance function.

The ideal candidate

We are looking for a technically accomplished finance professional who combines strong financial accounting expertise with effective leadership, sound commercial judgement and a practical approach to problem-solving.

You will bring:

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Significant experience in financial accounting and statutory reporting, ideally within a complex, multi-entity organisation.
• A proven track record of leading statutory accounts preparation and managing external audits.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, with experience overseeing complex balance sheets and financial reporting requirements.
• Good knowledge of tax compliance, particularly VAT, with experience of more complex VAT arrangements highly desirable.
• Experience of treasury management, cashflow forecasting, financing arrangements and fixed asset accounting.
• Demonstrable experience of leading, developing and motivating a finance team.
• A track record of improving financial controls, streamlining processes and supporting organisational change.
• The ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders and communicate complex financial matters clearly.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset, with the confidence to challenge existing practices and implement sustainable improvements.

Location and working arrangements

The role offers a hybrid working arrangement, combining remote working with regular attendance at the organisation's main office in East London.

How to apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged.

To apply, please submit your CV to Robertson Bell, who are supporting the organisation with this appointment.