Group Financial Accountant (Maternity Cover)

Salary: £38,000 - £46,000 OTE
Type: Full Time
Location: Pulman Volkswagen Durham

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​About Pulman Group

Pulman Group is a dynamic and customer-focused leader in the motor trade industry. With a portfolio of leading automotive brands and a strong commitment to delivering a fantastic customer experience, we pride ourselves on innovation, integrity, and continuous improvement.

We are seeking a talented, detail-oriented, and proactive Group Financial Accountant to join our finance team on a maternity cover basis. This role is essential in supporting financial excellence across the business and involves leading the finance/accounts team while reporting directly to the Financial Director.

Job Purpose

As Group Financial Accountant, you will play a crucial role in ensuring accurate financial reporting, supporting strategic decision-making, and maintaining compliance and control across the Pulman Group. You will directly manage the finance/accounts team and work closely with the Financial Director on a variety of strategic and operational projects. This role also involves liaising with stakeholders at all levels and ensuring robust financial oversight throughout the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Reporting

• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements, including balance sheets in accordance with UK GAAP and motor industry regulations.
• Produce and submit detailed monthly management accounts to relevant brands within deadlines.
• Review and reconcile all general ledgers and balance sheet items, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain supporting schedules for key balance sheet areas such as accruals, prepayments, and stock.
• Ensure correct recognition and reporting of income, costs, and manufacturer bonuses in line with industry practices.
• Monitor stock levels and values, ensuring regular reconciliations between accounting records and operational systems.

2. Financial Analysis

• Conduct detailed analysis of financial performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Prepare and present monthly financial packs for the Financial Director and Senior Management Team.
• Assist the FD with ad hoc financial modelling and strategic financial planning.

3. Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, including tax laws and industry-specific financial reporting standards.
• Support in the preparation and submission of VAT returns and other statutory filings.

4. Internal Controls

• Establish and maintain strong internal controls to protect company assets and ensure data accuracy.
• Review debtors and creditors reports, providing key insights to the Financial Director.
• Carry out physical stock checks across departments and reconcile against the accounting system.
• Conduct quarterly Fixed Asset Register reviews for accuracy.
• Monitor aged debtors to mitigate financial risk.
• Ensure consistent application of group-wide financial policies and procedures.

5. Audit Support

• Act as the main point of contact for internal and external auditors.
• Prepare audit documentation and respond to audit queries efficiently and accurately.
• Support year-end and interim audit processes with minimal disruption to operations.

6. Process Improvement

• Identify and implement improvements in finance operations, including automation and digitisation where possible.
• Work with cross-functional teams to streamline interdepartmental finance processes.

7. Stakeholder Communication

• Present financial results, performance analysis, and cost insights to senior management and departmental heads.
• Support department managers with their financial requirements as needed.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with operational teams to enhance financial understanding across the business.

8. Additional Responsibilities

• Review and approve internal credit applications.
• Manage daily cash flow and forecast cash requirements to ensure liquidity.
• Assist the Financial Director with various ad hoc financial and strategic projects.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) is preferable
• Demonstrated experience in financial reporting, analysis, and audit support
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, tax regulations, and financial controls
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify financial concepts for non-finance staff
• Proactive and organised with high attention to detail and strong problem-solving abilities
• Confident working in a fast-paced, multi-site environment with multiple stakeholders

What Pulman Offers

• £38,000-£46,000 OTE
• Company benefits including pension scheme, employee discount program, and career development support
• A collaborative and supportive work environment
• An opportunity to work in a forward-thinking business that values people, progress, and performance

BEING PULMAN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SCHEME:

People are at the heart of the Being Pulman Culture. That is why we offer our amazing employees a fantastic reward and benefits package alongside competitive industry salaries.

Pulman Annual Leave
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. For every 5 years worked at Pulman, increase your holidays by an extra day up to 30 days per annum.

Pulman Retail Savings
Access hundreds of retail discounts including grocery e-vouchers for online and instore use. Save up to 51% on holidays abroad and in the UK. Save up to 27% on leading cinemas. Available for yourself and your household.

Pulman Health & Wellbeing
Looking after our staff health and wellbeing is a top priority. That is why we have partnered with SAGE to offer all our employees’ access to legal, financial advice and counselling. With OnDemand GP our employees can cut waiting times and admin with GP video consultations and prescriptions sent directly to local pharmacies. Gym discounts are available at over 3000 participating health & leisure centres. Finally, Hapi-life is a resource library available to all our employees to support across a wide range of wellbeing topics and services.

Pulman Medical Care
All our employees’ can claim one eye test, one dental check-up and one flu jab per year.

Pulman Pensions and Insurance
Pulman pay 4% of an employee annual salary into the workplace pension. Death in service insurance is also included for all Pulman employees.

Pulman Uniform
Re-fresh your uniform once per year for free.

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We regret that, due to volume for roles at Pulman, we are only able to contact successful candidates. If you don’t hear from a member of our team within 28 working days of submission, you have not been successful on this occasion. At Pulman Group we take your privacy seriously. We will not pass on your details to a third party. We are also committed to keeping your data safe and secure. To find out more information about how we use your data and your data rights you can view our recruitment policy.

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