Head of Costs & Accounts

London | Permanent | Leading a team of 6–10

This is a rare chance to step into a senior, high-impact finance role at a growing, multi-site, PE backed Group. Reporting directly to the Group Finance Director, you'll be the finance business partner to the COO and provide oversight on the Groups costs and the person that challenges the cost base.

The role

You will oversee a team of management accountants (6-10) to lead the accounting, reporting and analysis of all costs across the Group. You'll ensure robust financial systems, controls and processes to deliver accurate balance sheet management and high-quality reporting across all regional and central entities.

This includes all staff costs (and FTE analysis/KPIs), central/group functions (Marketing, IT, HR, Finance, Operations, M&A, Exec), regional branch/property costs, fleet costs and other overheads, along with exceptional costs, capex and intercompany recharges. The role also requires strategic challenge to optimise cost management, efficiencies and synergies.

What you'll be doing

• Leading a team of 6–10 management accountants — coaching, developing and building a high-performing function
• Owning the cost accounting framework and monthly close
• Owning balance sheet management and reconciliations across Group entities
• Running central cost reporting and monthly recharges to the regional businesses
• Partnering with Payroll, HR, Premises, Facilities and Fleet to keep reporting clean and consistent
• Driving process improvement, standardisation and automation
• Leading support for the external audit

What you'll bring

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified
• Strong, hands-on cost accounting experience across overheads, central costs, allocations and recharges
• A proven track record of leading and developing a team of accountants
• Multi-entity month-end and balance sheet experience
• The confidence to challenge senior budget holders — and the credibility to make it land
• A natural improver who wants to make processes simpler, faster and smarter

Why this role?

• Finance business partner to the COO
• Report directly to the Commercial Finance Director
• Influence on how the business manages cost
• Lead a team of 6–10 Management Accountants
• Real scope to modernise systems, controls and reporting in a growing group