Leightons Opticians & Hearing Care
Location – Central Support, Farnham, Surrey
Full Time | Permanent
Join an Independent Family Business with a Proud Heritage and an Exciting Future
Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care is a leading independent optical and hearing care business with a rich heritage dating back to 1928. Family-owned and family-run, we have built our success by putting people first, delivering exceptional customer care and maintaining a strong commitment to our colleagues and communities.
Today, Leightons operates 37 optical practices across the South of England, alongside two thriving hearing care businesses: Leightons Hearing Care and The Hearing Care Partnership. As we continue to grow, we are looking for a talented Management Accountant to join our Finance team and play a key role in supporting the financial performance and control of the business.
The Opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity for either a newly qualified accountant, an experienced professional seeking a new opportunity, or someone approaching qualification who enjoys being at the heart of the numbers.
We're looking for a hands-on finance professional who takes pride in delivering accurate financial information, maintaining strong controls and driving continuous improvement. You'll work closely with the Head of Financial Control, supporting month-end reporting, reconciliations, branch performance analysis and finance process improvements across a growing multi-site business.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys investigating variances, solving problems and making finance processes more efficient. If you thrive on ensuring the numbers are accurate and enjoy improving how finance operates, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
Management Reporting & Month-End Processes
Support the preparation of accurate monthly management accounts within agreed deadlines.
Prepare monthly trial balances and supporting schedules.
Calculate and post accruals and prepayments, including rent, utilities and locum costs.
Analyse branch profit and loss accounts and investigate unusual variances.
Assist with year-end audit requirements and tax-related reporting schedules.
Financial Control & Reconciliations
Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
Reconcile NHS and corporate debtor receipts.
Maintain robust controls over cash and card receipt reconciliations.
Manage and reconcile customer finance schemes, investigating issues where required.
Branch & Operational Finance Support
Distribute branch financial reports and support teams with financial queries.
Assist branches with quarterly stocktakes and related adjustments.
Maintain the fixed asset register and ensure assets are correctly recorded.
Provide practical finance support across the wider business.
Systems & Process Improvement
Process and review daily sales integrations.
Investigate transactional differences and support accurate financial reporting.
Identify opportunities to improve controls, reporting processes and automation.
Support finance projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
About You
We're looking for someone who is:
Newly qualified (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or actively studying towards qualification. Qualified by experience considered as an alternative.
Experienced in preparing management accounts and balance sheet reconciliations.
Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
Analytical, inquisitive and confident investigating variances.
Comfortable working with large volumes of transactional data.
Proactive, collaborative and keen to improve processes.
Able to communicate financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance colleagues.
Experienced using Excel and financial systems, with an interest in automation and process improvement.
What You'll Get in Return
The opportunity to join a growing, successful and genuinely people-focused business.
A supportive and collaborative finance team.
Exposure to a broad range of accounting and operational finance activities.
Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
Hybrid working options.
Competitive salary (£43,000-£48,000 P/A DOE) and benefits package.
The chance to make a real impact within an ambitious, independent organisation.
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to equal opportunities in employment and creating a workplace culture in which diversity and inclusion is valued and everyone is treated with dignity and respect. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the selection process, let us know!
Applicants that have been rejected in the past 12 months should not reapply for the same job role
Skills Required
- Newly qualified ACA, ACCA, or CIMA accountant, or actively studying toward one of these qualifications
- Qualified by experience may be considered as an alternative
- Experience preparing management accounts
- Experience completing balance sheet reconciliations
- Excellent organization and attention to detail
- Analytical and inquisitive approach with confidence investigating variances
- Ability to work with large volumes of transactional data
- Proactive, collaborative approach and interest in process improvement
- Ability to communicate financial information clearly to finance and non-finance colleagues
- Experience using Excel and financial systems
What We Do
Leightons Opticians and Hearing Care is a family-run business providing expert eye and hearing care. With 36 practices across the South of England, the company specializes in prescription glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses, and hearing products, prioritizing a person-centered approach and incorporating technological advancements to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients' vision and hearing health.
