Chief Accountant

Job Introduction

The Chief Accountant will support the Finance Director in all aspects of financial performance and managing the wider finance team in line with the overall strategic aims and objectives of Prestige Nursing and Elite Care Ltd (Sodexo Personal and Home Services UK).

The Chief Accountant will be responsible for providing accurate financial and management information as well as driving continuously improving financial performance and supporting local revenue and profit growth projects.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with a strong technical grounding and at least 3 years post-qualification experience. Experience of project management, forecasting and budgeting and of managing a wider finance team are essential for the role.

The post will suit a commercially aware professional, with experience of working in a complex, contract-driven business.

Role Responsibility

• Support the FD in the management of the wider finance team  
• Assist in performing all tasks necessary to achieve the organization's mission and help execute staff succession and growth plans
• Personally role-model behaviours to align to Sodexo Group Values and ethical principles
• Work with the wider team to ensure adequate controls are in place guaranteeing a high level of internal control within the Finance department for all operations, respects the standards of internal and external regulations as well as the recommendations of the Group’s Internal Audit
• Oversee Accounts Payable, Vendor Management and payroll
• Assist in in the delivery of monthly analysis, KPI’s and reports to the COMEX Members which facilitates the understanding of accumulated results and business performance
• Assist the FD to ensure all financial reporting time tables are met
• Monitor cash flow/working capital to ensure the organization's needs can be met
• Work with the senior finance team to optimize the tools, processes and organization of the Finance department to constantly improve the insight and service level to the business

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified accountant with post qualification experience
• Ideally exposure to a complex, contract driven business
• Outstanding track record in influencing decision making and performance/profit improvement
• Experience of project management and programme control
• A strong technical grounding particularly with IFRS and FRS101
• Good forecasting and budgeting credentials
• Prior experience of ensuring tight cost control in a competitive, low margin business
• Commercial awareness
• Experience of managing a wider finance team

Desirable

• A “hands-on” operator who is comfortable with detail and adopts a pragmatic approach. 
• Organised in managing their work and able to identify and prioritise the key
• Intellectually bright, enthusiastic and motivating leader who commands respect
• Able to work with colleagues at all levels of the business
• The highest levels of personal integrity
• Good communicator with the ability to distil complexity and the self confidence and gravitas to communicate at the most senior levels
• Strong team player who has the ability to influence others and portray a sense of direction, leadership and commitment to people “down the line”
• Strong evidence of resilience, energy and drive; an innovator who is able to lead and manage change

Package Description

c£40,000 - £45,000 depending on experience

Access to a variety of benefits and discounts: 15% bonus and pension scheme

About the Company

Prestige Nursing + Care is a long-established, forward-thinking provider of homecare for anyone of any age or ability who requires additional support and care to enable them to live at home rather than in hospital or residential care. Our services range from occasional respite care to 24-hour in-home care teams delivered by highly trained care workers and nurses. We have a network of 34 branches in England and Scotland, where we operate as Elite Care.

Prestige Nursing + Care became part of the Sodexo Global Homecare (PHS) in March 2017 and have an ambitious strategy to become a leading provider of homecare services in the UK.