Financial Accountant (Part Qualified) job at South Shields Full Time NEW

Position Overview:

We have an exciting opportunity for a Part-Qualified Financial Accountant to join our Finance team here at our Head Office in South Shields. This role plays a key part in supporting the delivery of financial control and compliance across the group, including responsibility for balance sheet reconciliations, financial reporting, and supporting tax and statutory obligations. The position also contributes to strengthening and embedding robust internal controls, while leveraging advanced Microsoft 365 tools, including Excel and Power BI, to ensure accurate, timely and insightful financial information is delivered. Operating in a dynamic, multi-entity environment, the role requires strong process ownership, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining high standards of data integrity.

To be successful in this role, the individual will need to be highly detail-oriented with a strong “right first time” mindset, capable of managing competing priorities and delivering to strict deadlines. Equally important is the ability to communicate effectively and influence stakeholders at all levels, building strong relationships across the business to support and maintain compliance. The role requires a proactive and commercially aware approach, with the confidence to challenge existing processes, identify improvements, and drive efficiencies. The successful candidate will be well organised, able to work both independently and collaboratively, and demonstrate personal leadership in delivering high-quality outputs within a fast-paced finance environment.

*This role is based at our Head Office in South Shields and the expectation is 4 days onsite and 1 day of home working.*

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead external statutory and regulatory compliance across UK, US and international entities, including corporation tax, VAT, sales, tax and other regulatory reporting requirements and updating accordingly, while maintaining strong financial controls and monitoring legislative changes.
• Oversee international compliance activities by coordinating with in-country advisors and third-party providers to ensure all local tax, statutory, and regulatory obligations are completed accurately and on time while working to identify and address any emerging compliance risks across territories.
• Support and coordinate the annual external audit process, acting as key point of contact for auditors and coordinating end-to-end workflow. Ensuring timely preparation of audit schedules, supporting documents, and maintaining clear communication both internally and externally. Managing audit queries, tracking progress against deadlines and contributing to the resolution of findings, supporting improvement of financial reporting and internal controls.
• Manage the fixed asset process across the UK and US, including capital expenditure oversight, approval of asset requests, governance controls, and maintenance of an accurate fixed asset register.
• Lead on Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) compliance and internal audit testing, ensuring key financial controls are documented, tested, and continuously improved to strengthen the overall control environment.
• Act as the Finance subject matter expert for sustainability, serving as the primary point of contact. Support sustainability reporting requirements by embedding robust governance, ensuring reporting accuracy, and maintaining data integrity across initiatives. Drive successful cross-functional collaboration while providing financial insight and constructive challenge where required.
• Demonstrate flexibility within the wider Finance function by supporting additional business priorities, collaborating across teams, and contributing to the effective operation of the Finance department during changing business needs.

Skills and Experience:

• Part-qualified accountant, actively working towards full professional qualification (ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent) is essential.
• Proven experience in a financial accounting, reporting or similar finance role, with exposure to core accounting processes is essential.
• Sound understanding of fundamental accounting principles, including accruals, prepayments, journals and balance sheet reconciliations is essential.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 skills, including high-level Excel capability and Power BI experience (essential), with exposure to the wider Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate) desirable.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with a strong “right first time” mindset and commitment to data integrity.
• Proven ability to operate effectively under pressure, managing competing priorities while consistently meeting tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated personal leadership, with a proactive approach to identifying issues, driving solutions, and delivering outcomes.
• Strong organisational and workload management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively in a dynamic environment.
• Track record of continuous improvement, proactively identifying opportunities to enhance processes, controls and efficiency.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across functions.
• Highly effective communicator, capable of tailoring messaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Strong process discipline and ownership, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of reporting and key financial cycles.
• Commercial awareness, with the ability to understand business drivers and translate financial data into meaningful insights.
• Solid grounding in financial reporting and technical accounting, ideally gained within a multi-entity organisation or similarly complex environment.
• Proactive approach with the confidence to challenge existing processes, identify and escalate control issues, and provide clear, insightful interpretation of financial data.

Additional Information:

• Willingness to participate in training and development necessary for specific role and personal development plan.

Benefits:

• Discretionary Company bonus scheme
• Staff discount
• Staff shop
• Healthcare cash plan
• 25 days holiday as standard increasing with length of service plus bank holidays
• Access to training and development activities to support your career development
• Free onsite parking
• Subsidised canteen
• Operate hybrid & flexible working
• 4pm finish on a Friday
• Wellbeing support
• Refer a friend bonus scheme
• Reward & Recognition program
• Length of Service rewards

Note: In the event that a sufficient volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.