We are seeking a fully ACCA-qualified Accountant with a strong expertise in acquisitions, particularly in asset purchases, completion accounts, locked box mechanisms, purchase price allocation (PPA), and the application of IFRS 13 for determining accounting treatment of transactions and acquisition costs. This is a critical role within our finance team, responsible for providing financial insights and ensuring accurate reporting and compliance throughout the acquisition process.

Key Responsibilities:

• Acquisition Accounting: Lead and manage all aspects of acquisition accounting, including asset purchases, completion accounts, and post-transaction financial integration, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Completion Accounts & Locked Box: Oversee the preparation and review of completion accounts, manage locked box mechanisms, and ensure the appropriate recognition of assets, liabilities, and equity in line with acquisition agreements.
• Purchase Price Allocation (PPA): Conduct purchase price allocation in accordance with IFRS standards, ensuring the accurate identification and measurement of tangible and intangible assets, goodwill, and liabilities arising from acquisitions.
• IFRS 13 Application: Apply IFRS 13 (Fair Value Measurement) to determine the appropriate accounting treatment for acquisition transactions, ensuring fair value assessment and correct recognition of acquisition costs and financial instruments.
• Due Diligence & Transaction Support: Support the due diligence process, providing financial analysis and insights to identify risks, financial implications, and valuation considerations in asset purchases and business combinations.
• Financial Reporting: Prepare and review financial statements related to acquisitions, ensuring that the results are accurately reported in compliance with IFRS and other applicable standards.
• Acquisition Cost Accounting: Accurately record and manage acquisition-related costs, ensuring appropriate capitalisation or expensing in accordance with IFRS guidelines.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with the legal, tax, and commercial teams to ensure that all financial aspects of acquisitions are correctly aligned with business goals and legal structures.
• Post-Acquisition Integration: Assist with the integration of acquired businesses into the company’s financial systems and processes, ensuring a smooth transition and accurate consolidation of accounts.
• Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure that all acquisition-related accounting practices adhere to regulatory requirements and internal controls, proactively managing financial risks.

Key Qualifications:

• ACCA Qualified: Fully qualified accountant (ACCA), with a strong understanding of international accounting standards.
• Acquisition Expertise: 5+ years of experience in acquisition accounting, with specific expertise in asset purchases, completion accounts, locked box mechanisms, and purchase price allocation.
• IFRS Proficiency: Deep knowledge of IFRS 13 and its application in determining fair value and accounting treatment for acquisition transactions and related costs.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Strong understanding of IFRS and other financial reporting standards, with a proven track record of preparing accurate financial statements in the context of acquisitions.
• Analytical Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen eye for detail and the ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Stakeholder Management: Experience working cross-functionally with legal, tax, and commercial teams to ensure the accurate execution of acquisition accounting.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present financial insights to senior management and non-financial stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with business combinations and complex group consolidations.
• Familiarity with tax structuring and deferred tax implications in acquisitions.
• Experience in preparing financial models and valuations in the context of mergers and acquisitions.
• Exposure to ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and post-acquisition financial integration processes.