Senior Financial Accountant – HAY 17 (Internal Only)
Kegworth Head Office
Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 5pm, Friday 8:30am – 4pm Permanent
Hybrid working
Behind every successful business is a finance team that delivers accuracy, insight, and control.
We're looking for a Senior Financial Accountant to play a critical role in safeguarding the financial integrity of Refresco UK, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate statutory reporting, and compliance across a complex and fast-moving business. This is an opportunity to take ownership of key financial accounting activities, influence decision-making, and drive continuous improvement across our finance function.
Working closely with senior stakeholders, auditors, tax advisors, and Group Finance, you'll be at the centre of delivering high-quality financial reporting while helping shape the future of financial control within one of the world's leading drinks manufacturers.
Benefits and rewards
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Competitive salary
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12.5% Annual bonus scheme
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Personal Bupa Healthcare
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28 days holiday plus bank holidays
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Purchase extra holiday scheme
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Enhanced company pension contribution
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Life assurance
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Access to our employee benefits platform, Cheers, including flexible benefits such as healthcare cover, healthcare cash plan, dental insurance, car scheme, activities pass, financial services, will-writing services and more
About the Role: Senior Financial Accountant
Reporting to the Financial Accounting Controller, you will be responsible for ensuring robust financial controls, accurate statutory reporting, and compliance with IFRS, UK GAAP, tax, and treasury requirements across the Refresco UK business.
This is a varied and challenging role that combines technical accounting, financial control, tax compliance, treasury management, statutory reporting, and team leadership. You will take ownership of key financial accounting activities while supporting the wider finance function in delivering accurate and timely financial information.
A significant part of the role will involve reviewing and strengthening balance sheet controls, managing foreign currency forecasting and hedging activities, supporting statutory accounts preparation, and acting as a key contact for external auditors and regulatory bodies.
You will also lead and develop a team of Financial Accountants, helping to drive standardisation, continuous improvement, and best practice across the finance function.
Key Responsibilities
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Ensure robust financial controls and compliance with IFRS, UK GAAP, SOX, and Group reporting requirements
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Review, challenge, and improve balance sheet reconciliations across the business
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Lead continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen financial controls and standardise accounting processes
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Own and prepare the 12-month foreign currency hedging forecast, ensuring alignment with Group treasury policy
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Support the preparation of statutory accounts for trading, holding, and dormant entities
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Act as the primary contact for external auditors during year-end and statutory audits
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Review and approve financial accounting journals as part of the month-end close process
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Deliver key elements of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting cycles
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Validate the completeness and accuracy of financial submissions to Group
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Oversee tax compliance activities including VAT, Soft Drinks Industry Levy, Alcohol Duty, Irish VAT, Plastic Packaging Tax, and PSA reporting
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Manage tax-related documentation and respond to queries from customers, suppliers, and external stakeholders
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Support HMRC audits and provide information relating to financial processes and compliance activities
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Reconcile corporation tax balances and ensure timely payment of liabilities
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Support the preparation of R&D tax claims in conjunction with external advisors and operational teams
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Review and approve weekly and month-end bank reconciliations in line with SOX requirements
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Manage accounting activities relating to defined contribution pension schemes
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Account for holding company transactions and reporting requirements
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Lead, coach, and develop two Financial Accountants and an Assistant Financial Accountant
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Actively contribute to creating a high-performing finance team and supporting Refresco's ambition to become a Great Place to Work®
About You
We are looking for a qualified finance professional with strong technical accounting expertise and a passion for financial control and continuous improvement.
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ACCA, ACA, or CIMA qualified
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Significant experience within a Financial Accounting function in a medium to large organisation
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Strong technical accounting knowledge with a thorough understanding of IFRS and UK GAAP
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Experience preparing statutory accounts and supporting external audits
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Knowledge of tax compliance requirements including VAT and corporate tax reporting
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Strong balance sheet control and reconciliation experience
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Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail
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Excellent planning and organisational skills with the ability to meet strict reporting deadlines
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Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
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Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills
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Experience of SAP or other large ERP systems would be advantageous
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Proven experience leading, mentoring, or developing finance team members
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A proactive, continuous improvement mindset with the confidence to challenge and influence stakeholders
