Accountant

Salary: £90 per hour

The Lawsons Group is a family-owned business that sells timber, fencing and building materials to both the trade and DIY sectors The Group contains the Lawsons, AVS Fencing and Hertfordshire Timber & Building Supplies brands.

The first Lawsons business was formed in 1921 and the Group has now grown to 36 branches, has close to 800 employees, a turnover in excess of £160m and is highly profitable and cash generative. Net assets now exceed £75m.

The Group has grown rapidly over the last 2 years through a number of strategic acquisition’s and we anticipate that we will add at least a further 4-6 Branches over the next 9 – 12 months.

Due to the growth of the business and the consolidation of the finance function across the Group, we are now looking for a Group Financial Accountant who will be based at our Head Office in Colney Heath, (close to St Albans). There will be occasional travel to our branches across which stretch from Brighton to Peterborough.

The Role is varied and will include:

Support the Group Financial Accountant to develop the finance function to the next level.

Business Partnering with internal and external stakeholders – working closely with our Area Managers and Branch Managers

Assist to Manage the month end process and production of management reporting packs along with a succinct commentary.

Assist in financial modelling and monthly Bank Reporting

Financial Planning – Co-ordinate the Budget and Forecasting Process

Assist with Year end and statutory accounting and audit process.

Assist with Group VAT return preparation, Intrastat and Customs Clearance.

Rolling Group Cash flow forecast,

Produce Management Accounts for new subsidiary companies and their integration into our Accounting systems.

Training of branch staff with procedures, excel and other systems or how to use reports.

Develop controls and procedure to ensure that all key issues are identified, communicated and captured in all the appropriate systems. Work closely with our Internal audit function

Improvements to our stocktaking procedures, and reporting – We currently hold c£.27m of stock

Ad hoc commercial projects, assist with acquisition due diligence and integration.

Utilities usage reporting.

Cover for Absence / Holidays on the Bank Reconciliation,

Month end Balance Sheet Reconciliations

Intercompany reconciliations.

The Person – We are asking for a lot

We are looking for someone who is:

A qualified accountant, preferably with a Chartered Accountant who trained in a top 20 practice and ideally has a good quality degree.

Has the ability and gravitas to progress further as the business expands.

Has experience of managing teams.

Is a confident, methodical, clear thinker and who can prioritise and make well thought out decisions.

A real ‘People Person’ that communicates well and has a ‘can do’ attitude.

A quick learner with high expectations and personal standards – with a passion to get things right and able to work to deadlines

Able to build relationships and work well with our Directors and Managers.

Is used to providing reports and KPI’s to Directors on a regular basis. Written and Oral presentation skills need to be good.

Problem Solver – who can generate innovative solutions.

Confident with Group Accounting.

Has a track record of exceeding targets.

Knowledge, Experience, Qualifications

Is a qualified accountant, preferably a Chartered Accountant who trained in a top 20 practice and ideally has a good quality degree.

Likely to be newly qualified.

A high level of knowledge of accounting, tax and reporting standards & principles, including Goodwill and Consolidation Accounting.

Needs to have advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.

Have an understanding of Supplier Rebates.

Able to analyse the figures and make recommendations – not simply a person who churns out the numbers.

Has a high level of accuracy and good verbal and written presentation skills

Work well within a team.

 Interested? Then please click the apply button now!