Accounting Specialist

Location: Kelso or Bathgate (Hybrid: flexibility available, roughly 50/50 split) Working Hours: Monday to Thursday with a 1:00 PM finish every Friday\n\n### Role Purpose\n\nActs as the technical lead and \"subject matter expert\" (SME) for the UK accounting function. Unlike a general staff accountant, the Accounting Specialist handles complex areas of the balance sheet, statutory reporting, and high-level financial projects to support the Accounting Manager and wider UK organisation.\n\n### Key Responsibilities\n\n * Technical Accounting: Support the UK statutory accounting, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance, ensuring adherence to UK GAAP/US GAAP.\n\n * Audit \u0026 Tax oversight: Support the internal and external audit processes; provide specialized oversight for tax, payroll tax, and indirect taxes (VAT).\n\n * Reporting \u0026 Compliance: Support the Accounting Manager with quarter-end reporting, technical reconciliations, and complex balance sheet management.\n\n * Project Leadership: Act as the \"technical anchor\" for ad-hoc financial projects, including grant applications, system improvements, and process automation.\n\n * Process Excellence: Apply a Continuous Improvement (CI) mindset to identify and resolve process gaps, working independently to troubleshoot financial discrepancies.\n\n\n\n\n### Essential Requirements\n\n * Qualifications: Fully Qualified Accountant (ACCA preferred, or CIMA/ICAS).\n\n * Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of technical accounting standards, statutory reporting, and audit requirements.\n\n * Experience: Significant experience in Technical Accounting and audits with a strong grasp of tax and payroll compliance.\n\n * Systems: Expertise in financial systems and a strong interest in new technologies (AI and automation) to drive efficiency.\n\n * Problem Solving: A \"critical thinker\" who can work through complex problems independently.\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n### Candidate Profile\n\n * The \"Technical Anchor\": You are an experienced professional who thrives on the technical side of finance and enjoys \"running with\" complex tasks independently.\n\n * Proactivity: A self-motivated individual who identifies risks and opportunities for improvement before they are flagged by leadership.\n\n * Adaptability: Comfortable in a dynamic environment where you may need to pivot from statutory reporting to specialized project work.\n\n * Stability \u0026 Growth: Seeking a grounded career step with a company that offers long-term stability and the opportunity to influence UK/regional and Global financial processes.\n\n\n\n\nIn addition to our benefits package, this role offers:\n\n * Work-Life Balance: 50/50 hybrid working model and a 1:00 PM finish every Friday.\n\n * High-Level Impact: A role offering variety beyond routine month-end tasks.\n\n * Growth Environment: The opportunity to join a growing UK business within a global organisation currently expanding its footprint in high-tech market sectors.\n\n\n\n\n \n\n