Senior Accounts Manager

Senior Accounts Manager £45,000 DOE\n\nExeter | Multi-Company Group | Competitive Salary + Career Growth\n\nAre you an experienced accounts professional who genuinely understands the numbers—not just the process?\n\nWe're looking for a highly capable Senior Accounts Manager to take ownership of the finance function across a growing group of businesses based in the South West. This is a hands-on, senior role for someone who thrives on improving systems, maintaining financial control, and producing accurate management information that supports business growth.\n\nWhy This Role?\n\nThis is not a traditional accounts position where you'll simply process transactions and follow established routines.\n\nYou'll be trusted to:\n\nTake ownership of finance processes across multiple businesses\nImprove financial controls and reporting standards\nDrive better use of Xero throughout the group\nManage fixed assets, depreciation, finance agreements, and balance sheet control\nProvide directors with clear, accurate financial information\nHelp build a scalable finance function for an ambitious and expanding organisation\nIf you enjoy solving problems, improving systems, and making a real impact, this role offers an excellent opportunity to shape the future of the finance department.\n\nThe Role\n\nReporting directly to senior leadership, you will be responsible for:\n\nFinancial Management & Reporting\n\nProducing accurate monthly management accounts\nPreparing profit & loss reports, balance sheets and cashflow information\nSupporting budgeting, forecasting and business performance analysis\nAssisting with group reporting and multi-company financial management\nXero Management & Financial Control\n\nManaging Xero across multiple companies\nMaintaining robust financial records and reconciliations\nImproving reporting, automation, and financial processes\nDeveloping stronger controls and reducing manual administration\nFixed Assets & Asset Finance\n\nA key part of this role is managing fixed assets within Xero, including:\n\nAsset additions and disposals\nDepreciation calculations and postings\nAsset register maintenance\nHP agreements, loans, and asset finance reconciliations\nEnsuring asset records reconcile accurately with management accounts and balance sheets\nPurchase Ledger & Supplier Management\n\nManaging supplier invoices and payment runs\nReconciling supplier statements\nResolving discrepancies and improving invoice processes\nEnsuring accurate coding and VAT treatment\nCompliance & Reconciliations\n\nVAT return preparation\nBank, loan and intercompany reconciliations\nMaintaining balance sheet schedules\nSupporting year-end accounts and external accountants\nWhat We're Looking For\n\nEssential Experience\n\n✔ Advanced practical experience using Xero\n\n✔ Proven experience using the Xero Fixed Asset Register\n\n✔ Experience posting depreciation, managing asset additions and disposals\n\n✔ Strong management accounts experience\n\n✔ Excellent understanding of balance sheet control and reconciliations\n\n✔ Multi-company or group accounting experience\n\n✔ Strong knowledge of VAT, purchase ledger and financial controls\n\n✔ Excellent Excel skills\n\n✔ Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders\n\nPersonal Attributes\n\nOrganised and highly detail-focused\nCommercially aware and proactive\nComfortable challenging poor processes\nSolutions-focused and hands-on\nTrustworthy, reliable and professional\nAble to work confidently in a fast-paced, growing business environment\nDesirable Experience\n\nExperience within any of the following sectors would be highly advantageous:\n\nConstruction\nPlant Hire\nTransport & Logistics\nEngineering\nAggregates\nFleet Management\nAsset-Heavy Businesses\nExperience with intercompany accounting, board-level reporting and finance system improvements would also be beneficial.\n\nCompetitive salary based on experience up to £45,000\n\nLong-term career progression opportunities\n\nOpportunity to influence and improve a growing finance function\n\nSupportive leadership team\n\nFlexible working arrangements may be considered for exceptional candidates