Senior Financial Accountant

Senior Financial Accountant - Europe East Region - Cheshire (near Manchester Airport) We're hiring on behalf of a US multinational scientific instruments and technology business with a significant and growing European presence. This is a hands-on senior accounting role with real end-to-end ownership, not a support function with a vague remit. Please note: a car and full driving licence are essential. The office is in regional Cheshire - easily reached from Manchester, Stockport, Macclesfield, Alderley Edge and the wider Cheshire and Greater Manchester commuter belt, and adjacent to Manchester Airport. The role: You'll take full responsibility for US GAAP and statutory accounting across one to two legal entities within the Europe East region, own the audit process end-to-end for your entities, and drive harmonisation of accounting activities across the broader region. You'll work closely with regional and global finance stakeholders - internal teams, external auditors and local tax authorities - and be expected to identify process improvements rather than wait to be told where they are. What you'll actually be doing:

• Full US GAAP and statutory accounting responsibility for one to two legal entities - accruals, prepaids, local tax accounting, trial balance reviews, clearings and reclassifications
• Acting as primary point of contact for internal and external audits for your entities, end-to-end, not just providing schedules
• Owning intercompany reconciliations across the entire Europe East region
• Executing daily and monthly regional accounting - fixed and demo asset management, recurring journal entries, P&L reviews, cost centre control, T&E accounts and stock count coordination
• Preparing and completing BlackLine reconciliations for entities within the region
• Collaborating with Finance, AP, Tax, Country and Regional leadership, and with external partners including Big 4 audit firms and local tax authorities
• Participating in and driving local, regional and global finance projects, with real scope to lead harmonisation and efficiency initiatives What we need:
• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field
• Solid senior-level accounting experience in an international environment
• US GAAP knowledge - a core technical requirement, not a nice-to-have
• Fluent English and either Hungarian or Polish, written and spoken to a high professional standard. One of these two languages is non-negotiable for this role
• Hands-on SAP experience
• Strong Excel skills - you'll be in it daily
• Full driving licence and access to a car - the office location requires it
• Self-motivated, comfortable using your own initiative to improve processes rather than waiting to be directed
• A genuine team player who can build relationships across internal and external partners in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment Nice to have:
• Experience with BlackLine
• Additional European languages
• Previous experience in a US-listed multinational, or a Big 4 practice background The reality of the role: this is genuine end-to-end ownership of accounting across a multinational's European entities, not a task-based role where someone else sets the priorities. You'll deal directly with Big 4 auditors, tax authorities and regional leadership. The language requirement is real - candidates without fluent Hungarian or Polish will not be progressed. Cheshire - hybrid, office-based three days per week. Adjacent to Manchester Airport. Own transport essential. You must have the right to work in the United Kingdom to be considered.