Senior Group Accountant

As Senior Group Accountant you will sit in a high calibre Group Finance function and support with M&A activity and technical accounting treatments in relation to M&A activity.

Client Details

My client, a PE backed Professional Services business, have experienced significant growth in the last couple of years since investment due to their buy and build strategy. They have made multiple acquisitions and this growth will be continued.

Description

• Support M&A team with financial due diligence pre-acquisition
• Carry out internal audit procedures and liaise with Sellers to provide sign off on completion accounts (FRS102) and apportionment statements prepared by Seller. Disputes to be promptly and sensitively resolved with support from the M&A team as needed.
• Complete IFRS adoption process with acquirees - identify and calculate adjustments, reconcile pre acquisition reserves, oversee transitional adjustments in financial statements.
• Frequent analysis of accounting standards and application in an acquiree e.g. IFRS15 revenue on contracts, IFRS16 leases, IFRS9 ECL, Holiday pay.
• Analysis of key components of SPA and APA, scheduling key events and monitoring timelines and delivery against contractual deadlines.
• Prepare acquisition accounting entries for Acquirer to include valuation of consideration, recognition of deferred payments or changes to investment cost and intangibles.
• Monthly, prepare journals for goodwill, investments, deferred consideration, long term loans and intangibles on acquirer(s) and group balance sheet.
• Review and support for preparation of budgets by M&A targets
• Support on identification and assessment of synergies in new M&A targets
• Key finance contact for Sellers in the post-acquisition phase to cover introductions, financial accounting and tax compliance.
• Key contact with external advisors on Purchase price accounting - preparation and/or review of deliverables and sign off on outputs.
• Track progress through M&A workflow to ensure timely progress.
• Support with group tax objectives e.g. balance sheet reconciliations, allocation of group relief, group-wide review and analysis, updating reports.
• Report writing to facilitate knowledge sharing across the wider finance team and M&A
• Develop internal policies for acquisition accounting and other finance procedures.
• Regular point of contact for Hub FC, FP&A team, group finance and M&A teams on all M&A matters
• Lead or support on other business combinations e.g. hive up, liquidations and other group restructuring projects
• Other financial control projects as defined by group finance management team

Profile

• Professional accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CA) and experience of audit.
• Strong financial and statutory accounting experience, including dealing with consolidations and acquisition accounting.
• Up to-date knowledge of accounting standards (IFRS and UK GAAP: FRS102)
• Audit experience preferred.
• 2 years minimum Post Qualification Experience, ideally in industry in an acquisitive group and PE environment.
• Excellent communication skills required in dealing with both internal and external stakeholders - confidence handling complex technical issues and topics of confidential and/or sensitive nature.
• Highly personable character who can deal positively with new people and situations.
• Outstanding attention to detail and ability to absorb high volume of financial and legal information.
• Experience in Professional Services an advantage.
• Strong MS Office skills (especially Excel)

Job Offer

A competitive salary as well as a flexible, hybrid working evironment and an opportunity to work with a fantastic mentor.