Head Accountant

We are working with a long\-established, **privately owned international FMCG business** (c.£60m turnover) with a strong heritage, excellent reputation and growing global presence. The business continues to expand internationally alongside its established UK operations and remains in a strong financial position with low staff turnover and a clear long\-term strategy. They are now looking to recruit a new **Chief Accountant** to take ownership of a broad finance remit, working closely with the owners and senior leadership team in a visible, hands\-on role. **Assignment Details** This is a broad and hands\-on Chief Accountant position with responsibility for leading the UK finance function, alongside oversight of international financial reporting and group consolidation. You will play a key role in supporting decision\-making, improving reporting, strengthening controls and ensuring high\-quality financial information across the group. **Key responsibilities include:** * Leading the day\-to\-day finance function from the London office * Managing and developing a UK\-based finance team (4 finance staff) * Overseeing and consolidating financial reporting across UK and international operations * Preparing monthly and quarterly management accounts * Supporting the preparation of statutory accounts and liaising with auditors * Ownership of budgeting and forecasting across multiple entities * Cash flow management and reporting * Providing commercial analysis on sales, margins and business performance * Oversight of stock and inventory reporting * Managing banking relationships, FX exposure (USD / EUR) and treasury activity * Liaising with overseas operations and external advisers to support consistent reporting and group consolidation * Supporting the ongoing improvement of reporting, controls and finance processes International Exposure * A key aspect of the role will be oversight of financial reporting across the wider group, including operations in India and China. * Local accounting support in overseas jurisdictions is provided through external advisers, with the London finance team responsible for oversight, consolidation and ensuring consistency of reporting across entities. * There may be occasional international travel where required. **Skills Required** We are looking for a commercially minded, hands\-on finance professional who is comfortable operating in an owner\-managed environment.Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) * Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) * Experience in a broad finance role, ideally within an SME or owner\-managed business * Comfortable operating both strategically and in the detail * Experience of multi\-entity or international reporting would be advantageous * Strong communication skills and ability to work closely with non\-finance stakeholders * Proactive, adaptable and comfortable driving improvements across reporting and processes Why Join? * Long\-established, financially stable business with strong heritage and low staff turnover * Broad, hands\-on role with real ownership and visibility * Direct exposure to owners and senior decision\-making * International exposure across a growing group * Opportunity to shape and strengthen the finance function * Long\-term progression potential within the group