Financial / Tax Accountant

Role Overview: The Financial Accountant will play a key role in managing the end-to-end financial operations of the business, ensuring compliance with global accounting standards, tax regulations, and audit requirements. This role demands a technically strong finance professional with a global mindset, ideally with Big 4 training, external audit experience, and deep expertise in international tax compliance (direct and indirect). 

The successful candidate will be responsible for the preparation and presentation of accurate financial statements, oversight of accounting operations, tax compliance across jurisdictions, and the implementation of robust financial controls. In addition to core accounting responsibilities, they will act as a key liaison with external auditors and ensure the company's financial practices align with evolving regulatory and reporting standards.

This is an excellent opportunity for a detail-oriented, proactive individual who can operate both strategically and hands-on, and who thrives in a dynamic, international environment.

Key Responsibilities:

1. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING, OPERATIONS & REPORTING:

• Manage and maintain accurate general ledger records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards (e.g., IFRS, UK GAAP, or US GAAP as applicable)
• Prepare, analyse, and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with IFRS, UK & US GAAP, or other relevant standards
• Oversee the consolidation of financial statements for global entities, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and proper elimination of intercompany balances
• Ensure accurate recording and reconciliation of intercompany transactions in compliance with established Transfer Pricing policies and regulations
• Prepare and review journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, and prepayments
• Ensure timely and accurate month-end and year-end closings, including preparation of financial statements and management reports
• Reconcile sub-ledgers (AP, AR, Fixed Assets, Payroll) to the general ledger and investigate discrepancies
• Coordinate with international subsidiaries to ensure consistent accounting treatment and timely reporting
• Maintain fixed asset registers and oversee depreciation schedules
• Ensure appropriate accounting for leases, provisions, and deferred income

2. TAX COMPLIANCE & REPORTING (Direct & Indirect Tax)

Direct Tax

• Manage preparation and filing of corporate income tax returns across jurisdictions
• Develop and maintain intercompany pricing models and transfer pricing documentation (Master File, Local File, CbCR)
• Advise on tax-efficient structures for current and future entities, including cross-border funding and IP ownership
• Ensure compliance with withholding tax rules and apply treaty benefits with appropriate documentation
• Maintain audit-ready records aligned with accounting standards; support tax audits with required documentation and analysis
• Take complete ownership in tax provisioning, deferred tax calculations, and tax disclosures for statutory reporting

Indirect Tax

• Advise on indirect tax regulations across UK, US, EU, and other jurisdictions, ensuring accurate integration into business operations
• Ensure VAT/Sales Tax compliance across tax registrations, invoicing, DDP shipping, platforms (Shopify, Stripe), and marketplaces
• Develop and maintain a global indirect tax strategy aligned with evolving business models (e.g., Marketplace, Consignment)
• Manage VAT/Sales Tax registrations and filings across multiple jurisdictions, including US state nexus monitoring
• Implement and maintain automation tools (e.g., Avalara, Avatax, Zonos) for tax collection and return filing
• Ensure compliance with marketplace VAT rules (UK, EU OSS/MOSS, US facilitator laws) and handle consignment-related tax obligations
• Collaborate with Supply Chain to support tax/duty compliance at checkout and DDP shipping
• Manage VAT on digital services and ensure correct treatment of digital/intangible products
• Apply correct VAT treatment to intercompany transactions in line with transfer pricing requirements

3. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, FORECASTING & BUDGETING:

• Analyse monthly, quarterly, and annual financial results, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities
• Prepare variance analysis between actuals, forecasts, and budgets, providing commentary to senior stakeholders
• Support the Finance Director in preparing rolling forecasts, long-range plans, and annual budgets
• Develop and enhance financial models and scenario planning tools to support strategic initiatives
• Track KPIs and provide regular reports to management for operational and financial performance review
• Partner with business units to align financial planning with departmental goals and resource allocations
• Support cost control and margin analysis to improve profitability

4. AUDIT & COMPLIANCE:

• Coordinate the preparation of audit packs and lead audit fieldwork with external auditors.
• Manage audit requests and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
• Maintain documentation to support financial controls and audit trails for all key processes.
• Ensure compliance with local statutory reporting requirements in all operating jurisdictions.
• Support tax compliance by collaborating with tax advisors and preparing audit-ready documentation.
• Evaluate and strengthen internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR/SOX if applicable).
• Conduct internal financial reviews to ensure policy adherence and recommend improvements.
  

5. EQUITY & INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT:

• Assist in managing share schemes, maintaining the cap table, and supporting equity-related reporting requirements, together with the Legal team. 
• Support the financial aspects and due diligence in relation to any funding rounds, equity issuance, capital restructuring, IPO/ M&A. 
• Support with preparation of investor and board-level financial materials related to equity and investment activity.
• Collaborate with Legal and Governance teams to ensure regulatory compliance and alignment on corporate actions.
  

6. STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION & PROCESS IMPROVEMENT:

• Act as a key finance contact for internal teams including Legal, HR, Operations, and Commercial
• Liaise with external advisors such as auditors, tax consultants, and regulatory bodies.
• Drive standardisation and automation of financial processes to improve accuracy and efficiency.
• Assist in the implementation or optimisation of ERP/accounting systems and finance tools.
• Develop and document accounting policies and procedures to support consistent practices.
• Contribute to transformation projects such as finance scaling, cross-border expansion, or system migrations.
• Provide training and guidance to junior finance team members and assist in building team capability.

7. TECHNICAL & REGULATORY AWARENESS

• Monitor and interpret changes in accounting standards (e.g., IFRS, UK/US GAAP) and assess their impact on financial reporting.
• Stay current with tax regulations, corporate reporting obligations, and financial governance trends.
• Participate in finance policy reviews and contribute to risk management initiatives.

Requirements

Professional Certification: CPA, ACA, ACCA, or equivalent qualification is required. Bachelors or Master's degree in Finance/ Accounting / Maths is a plus. CTA or equivalent qualification is beneficial.

Experience:

• 5-7 years of professional experience, with a minimum of 3 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) experience working in a Big 4 firm. 
• Strong background in Tax and Financial reporting, with strong experience in global tax planning, compliance, and reporting.
• Knowledge of International Accounting Standards (IFRS and/or UK & US GAAP).
• Proven experience in managing intercompany transactions and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for multinational entities.

Technical Skills: Experience in using Accounting Software, and knowledge of Shopify & Stripe would be ideal. Advanced Microsoft Excel skill would be beneficial.

Soft Skills:

• Exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive and self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• A collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Exposure to international operations and complex financial challenges.