Senior Financial Accountant

Job description

Are you an experienced financial accountant looking for an opportunity to make a real impact in a purpose-driven organisation? At Southern Housing, our vision is to create communities where everyone has a safe home in a place they're proud to live. We're now looking for a talented Senior Financial Accountant to join our high-performing Finance team and play a key role in maintaining the financial integrity, compliance and financial reporting standards of the organisation.

Reporting to the Financial Controller - External Reporting, you'll take ownership of end-to-end financial accounting across Southern Housing and its subsidiaries. From statutory reporting and tax compliance to audit management and technical accounting support, you'll ensure our financial controls remain robust, accurate and aligned to regulatory requirements.

You'll work closely with colleagues across Finance, Development, Property, Procurement, Payroll and Legal, as well as external auditors, tax advisers and HMRC, helping to deliver excellent financial governance while supporting the organisation's wider strategic objectives.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Managing financial accounting and monthly reporting for group entities and subsidiaries.

• Preparing statutory accounts in accordance with FRS 102, the Housing SORP and other relevant reporting standards.

• Leading the delivery of VAT, Corporation Tax, CIS, ATED and other tax compliance obligations, ensuring submissions are accurate and made on time.

• Acting as the key point of contact for external auditors, coordinating audit activity and resolving queries efficiently.

• Providing technical accounting and taxation guidance to Finance teams and stakeholders across the business.

• Reviewing complex or non-routine transactions and advising on their accounting and tax treatment.

• Maintaining strong balance sheet controls, reconciliations, consolidations and financial reporting processes.

• Building strong relationships with HMRC, external advisers and internal stakeholders to ensure compliance and best practice.

• Driving continuous improvement through enhanced controls, improved data quality, automation and process efficiencies.

• Supporting and coaching colleagues by sharing technical knowledge and contributing to a high-performing finance culture.

You'll also contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to strengthen controls, streamline financial processes and improve the quality of financial information across the organisation.

This role can be based from either our Farringdon or Croydon office, with hybrid working available. You'll be expected to attend your main office at least two days per week, with occasional travel to other Southern Housing locations for stakeholder meetings.

About you

We're looking for a proactive, technically skilled and detail-oriented finance professional who enjoys solving complex problems, building strong relationships and delivering high-quality financial reporting.

You'll bring:

Relevant experience

• Significant experience in financial accounting, statutory reporting, tax compliance and audit management.

• Proven post-qualification experience in end-to-end financial accounting, including month-end and year-end close activities.

• Experience managing multiple entities, subsidiary accounting and consolidations.

• Experience acting as a key contact for external auditors and professional advisers.

Skills and knowledge

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with relevant post-qualification experience.

• Strong knowledge of UK taxation including Corporation Tax, VAT, CIS, ATED and charity taxation.

• Knowledge of defined benefit pension schemes and related accounting considerations.

• Strong understanding of FRS 102, statutory reporting requirements and Housing Association SORP.

• Ability to assess complex accounting and tax issues, identify risks and provide practical solutions.

About the team

You'll be part of our Financial Control and External Reporting team, a specialist group responsible for ensuring Southern Housing maintains the highest standards of financial reporting, compliance and governance. The team works closely with colleagues across Finance and the wider business, as well as external auditors, tax advisers and regulatory bodies, helping to provide accurate financial information that supports strategic decision-making and protects the organisation's long-term sustainability.

At Southern Housing, our HEART values are at the centre of everything we do. We are Honest, Efficient, Accountable, Respectful and Trusted, and we're looking for colleagues who share our commitment to delivering excellent outcomes for our residents, customers and communities

About Us

At Southern Housing, our residents are at the heart of everything we do. As one of the largest housing providers in the UK with over 77,000 homes across London, the Southeast, the Isle of Wight, and the Midlands, we give over 167,000 people somewhere affordable to call their own! We also understand the difference that safe, secure, and affordable homes can make to people's lives.

A career at Southern Housing will allow you to make a difference every day you come to work. Working in the housing sector with us will bring fresh challenges and give you the opportunity to grow and develop, too.