Head of Accounting UK & I

If you are a current Linnaeus Associate, you will need to apply internally. In order to do this, please contact our Talent Acquisition team (details can be found via The Link) and someone will be in touch to discuss and progress your application.About MVH Europe:Mars Veterinary Health (MVH) Europe is a family of leading veterinary care providers committed to creating a better world for pets. Our network includes trusted brands such as AniCura and Linnaeus, operating over 500 animal hospitals and clinics across 17 European countries. Together, our teams deliver high-quality, modern veterinary care for companion animals, ensuring peace of mind for pet owners through excellent access and patient safety.AniCura, our largest brand in Europe, provides care to over three million patients each year through 12,500 dedicated professionals. Linnaeus, operating primarily in the UK and Ireland, is home to over 6,000 Associates empowered to deliver exceptional care through a culture of collaboration, clinical excellence, and continuous development.At MVH Europe, we prioritize a culture of accountability, inclusion, and wellbeing. We believe our purpose - to make A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS - starts with building a better world for our people. We support our teams through strong governance, comprehensive wellbeing programs, and a shared passion for delivering exceptional outcomes in veterinary care.Role Overview:The Head of Accounting UK & I ensures the accuracy and integrity of our financial reporting, provides leadership and development for the team, and oversees various accounting and financial operations activities, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and company policies. They will collaborate closely with MVHE Group Accounting and Financial Operations teams and drive deployment of various transformation projects in cooperation with Regional, Global and Corporate Accounting & Reporting teams, whilst ensuring excellence in execution of financial operations in line with KPIs, SLAs and Stakeholder experience.This role requires a hands-on leader who actively engages in accounting operations while supervising team workflows to ensure all deadlines are achieved.Reporting to the Director of R2R Operations, this role offers a hybrid working arrangement (50%) in our Birmingham (Solihull) office with occasional travel across other Group locations across EU for knowledge sharing or leadership experience.Key Responsibilities:Lead and develop a team of 10-15 accounting professionals and contractors.Set up and reshape critical financial processes in a dynamic and growing environment.Ensure the accuracy of periodic financial reporting to Mars Group (US GAAP) and the statutory (UK GAAP) annual financial statements.Present balance sheet movements to the management team.Serve as the main point of contact for authorities, bank, internal and external auditors, and tax advisors.Identify and monitor provisions and maintain general ledger accounts.Handle ongoing business transactions and ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements.Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including market operations, business controllers, clinics, and the MVHE to ensure effective financial processes, compliance, and reporting.Initiate and lead projects to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness within the finance function.Education & Professional Qualifications:University degree in Economics, Finance, or Accounting.Professional certification such as ACCA, CIMA, CA, or CPA is preferred.Experience:Minimum 10+ years of experience in accounting and financial reporting, including at least 5 years in people management roles.Proven experience in structuring, optimizing, and scaling accounting processes.Strong proficiency in MS Office, particularly Excel.Experience with Oracle, Blackline, and/or OneStream is an advantage.Fluency in EnglishStrong communication, stakeholder management, and collaboration skills.Structured, detail-oriented, and able to work independently in a complex environment.Strong advantages include:Experience in private equity-backed or M&A-driven organizations.Exposure to managed service operations.Participation in or leadership of large-scale finance transformation initiatives.Background in audit.Key Competencies:Builds Effective TeamsManages ComplexityEnsures AccountabilityCommunicates EffectivelyBalances StakeholdersInterested?For more information, please contact Lekya Kanamarlapudi, Group Corporate Recruitment Partner, who will be happy to tell you more about the role and recruitment process.Alternatively, apply directly by submitting your CV via the Apply button.Mars Veterinary Health is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.Internal Candidates: If you are interested in this role, please reach out to the Corporate Recruiter to learn more about the internal recruitment process. are proud to be Linnaeus, part of Mars. Linnaeus is a forward-thinking group of highly respected primary care and specialist referral practices in the UK and Ireland. Being family owned and part of Mars Veterinary Health, the largest veterinary company in the world, allows us to focus on advancing the veterinary profession to provide industry-leading pet care and unique career opportunities for our people. Why Linnaeus? - We pride ourselves in offering high-quality excellence of service and clinical care for our clients and their pets - We lead on sustainability and collectively drive positive change for people, pets and the planet - We prioritise your mental health and wellbeing - valuing equity, diversity and inclusion - We support your personal and professional development with best-in-class career frameworks and training programmes. We will empower and support you to grow your career from day one. We team up within our Mars family in partnership for a stronger future. Linnaeus is an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We treat each other fairly and equitably and we are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse for all our Associates. At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. If you would like to apply for this role, please click the Apply Button or for more information, please feel free to reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition team at