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.

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.

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).

Why join us?

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.

Ready to take your career global?
Apply now and bring your IFRS expertise to a business that’s all about creating joy and making memories.