SENIOR GROUP FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT

Location (Country-County-City) UK-Hampshire-Basingstoke
Job Locations UK-Hampshire-Basingstoke | UK-Dorset-Poole | UK-Greater London-London
ID
2025-9334
Employment Type
Full-Time
Offer/Contract Type
No End Date
Location Name
The Merlin Hub Basingstoke

SENIOR GROUP FINANCIAL ACCOUNTANT

Poole or Basingstoke | Division: Corporate | Department: Group Finance
At Merlin Entertainments, we’re on a mission to bring joy, create connections, and make memories for millions of guests worldwide. Behind the scenes, our Group Finance team plays a vital role in supporting our global operations with technical expertise, financial governance, and external reporting.
We’re now looking for a Senior Group Financial Accountant to join the team. This is a high-profile role with global reach, providing IFRS accounting advice across the business and supporting some of Merlin’s most strategic projects.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

We’re seeking a technically strong and commercially minded accountant who enjoys solving complex problems and influencing stakeholders across a global business. You’ll bring:

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with strong IFRS knowledge.
• Significant post-qualification experience, ideally within large, multi-currency Groups.
• Experience of external financial reporting, such as listed company annual reports or UK statutory accounts.
• Strong project management, analytical, and communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively across geographies and cultures, influencing at all levels.
• Confidence in challenging accounting judgements and driving governance best practice.
• Advanced Excel skills, ideally with experience in large-scale consolidation systems (HFM, TM1).

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Group Head of Financial Accounting, you’ll act as a global point of contact for IFRS matters, providing technical advice, developing accounting policies, and supporting external reporting. You’ll play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and governance of Merlin’s financial reporting.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as the central resource for IFRS accounting advice across the Group, keeping the business up to date on new and emerging standards.
• Coordinating and advising international teams on complex technical issues, and challenging judgements where necessary.
• Supporting strategic projects, including acquisitions, refinancing, restructuring, and other major initiatives.
• Developing and maintaining IFRS policies and guidance, and delivering training to global finance teams.
• Supporting the production of Merlin’s Annual Report and Accounts, including preparing papers for the Audit Committee.
• Acting as point of contact for external auditors on complex accounting areas (e.g. share-based payments, SaaS arrangements).
• Reviewing monthly Group consolidations and working with local teams to ensure accuracy.
• Collaborating with colleagues across Tax, Treasury, and Legal on cross-functional initiatives.

When you join Merlin, you’re not just taking on a finance role — you’re becoming part of a global business that creates experiences loved by millions. In return, you’ll benefit from:

• Exposure to strategic, high-impact projects across the Group.
• The chance to shape IFRS policies and reporting at an international scale.
• A collaborative, supportive culture that encourages professional growth.
• Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and unique Merlin perks