Unlocking stability by working abroad

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In a world that feels more uncertain by the day, finding stability isn’t just a luxury — it’s a smart move. And one of the most impactful ways to create that stability is through your career.

The World Bank highlight countries such as the Nordics, Canada, Switzerland, and Australia as among the most poltically stable in 2025. Australia, in particular, offers not only economic and political stability but also a high quality of life, vibrant cities, and a welcoming culture.

We’ve built strong partnerships within the Big 4 across Australia and have successfully placed professionals from the UK, Ireland, South Africa, and Malaysia in roles that have transformed both their careers and their lifestyles.

If you’ve ever considered working abroad, now is a great time to take that first step. Whether you’re looking for a fresh challenge, better work-life balance, or simply a change of scenery in a more secure environment, we’re here to guide you through the possibilities.  You will probably be surprised at how achievable this move really is. The benefits of working abroad are huge — professionally, personally, and emotionally. And if you can do it in a place that helps ease your mind while advancing your career, why not give it a thought?

Finance Director, South West London

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£90,000 – £100,000

Our client, a market leading software business requires a Finance Director to join a rapidly growing international AI technology business.

As Finance Director you will be a key member of the Leadership Team, helping to develop and implement strategy and deliver the organisation’s strategic objectives. The role is responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, management and running of the company’s finance activities, including accounting, business planning, tax, budgeting, forecasting, Company secretarial duties, plus leading the finance team.

This is an extremely exciting time to be joining the business. The company is highly profitable and is experiencing a period of rapid revenue growth.

 

Key responsibilities:

· Provide leadership, direction, and management of financial operations.

· Month End Reporting.

· Manage the processes for formulating revenue forecasting and budgets, oversee the preparation of all financial reporting.

· Customer and project reviews.

· Exposure to revenue recognition, IFRS 15.

· Managing relationships with external auditors.

· Formulate strategies and plans in conjunction with the executive management team.

· Responsibility for all aspects of financial information for the organisation. This includes analysis, interpretation, and presentation of management information to the Board.

· Currency consolidation and reporting.

· Dealing with the global company entities.

· Global Tax responsibilities. VAT Return – UK/UAE/Singapore.

· Ensure cash flow is appropriate for the organisation’s operations. Cashflow reporting.

· Work with Sage accounting system and review all formal finance and IT related procedures.

· Oversight of all bank accounts including UK, UAE, Singapore.

· Preparation of UK R&D Tax credits.

 

 

Other key attributes that we are looking for include:

· The ability to fit within the leadership team.

· The individual must have can-do and motivated attitude.

· You will be a qualified accountant with at least 5+ years PQE

· Possess gravitas to advise senior management and attend board meetings. You must have the ability to act as Head of Finance.

· You will have enthusiasm and desire to work in a rapidly growing and changing international environment.

· Ideally you will have experience of working for a software or technology business.

 

This is a career-shaping role for the right candidate. This role requires a talented and exceptionally capable individual who has the drive, enthusiasm and motivation to support the ongoing development of our exciting, dynamic and growing business. The company is at a very exciting stage of development where it is experiencing exponential growth. There is a real opportunity for career development.

 

Please contact Leo Ketchin at leo@williamscottassociates.com

Financial Controller, North London

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£80,000 – £85,000

Our client is a Technology services company that specialises in cloud transformation. They help enterprises adopt new technology that enables them to work on the cloud in a way that is sustainable, integrated with business needs, and ready to scale.

The business is experiencing a period of growth, working with large multi-national and well-known customers. To support the ongoing growth, there is a need for a talented and motivated Financial Controller. This new role will report to the CEO. The successful candidate will be responsible for the day to day running of the finance function work closely with the CEO and will be a member of the senior leadership team.

The Financial Controller role will take responsibility for Financial Reporting, Statutory Accounts, Balance Sheet Control, ensuring a strong Financial Control framework as well as ad-hoc project work. You will assist with the budgeting and forecasting process, liaising with the rest of the business and running tax and audit timetables.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Production and delivery of the monthly management accounts.

• Delivering core finance processes effectively, on a timely basis: treasury and cash management, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, month end close.

• Cashflow forecast (both 13 week and long term)

• Continuously review and refine financial policies to ensure compliance and efficiency.

• Leading the finance team.

• Maintain key 3rd Party relationships (banks, auditors, tax consultants etc.)

• Manage day to day aspects of the finance function including AP/AR and payroll functions.

• Financial planning including budgets and forecasts.

• Timely reporting including consolidation of group accounts for both Management Accounts and statutory accounts.

• Working closely with CEO the senior leadership team to and drive on-going improvement into the business and support commercial activities.

 

Qualification/Experience:

• You will be a qualified accountant; with experience in a senior accounting role (practice/industry).

• You have an empathetic management style and can demonstrate how you have guided and mentored teams to deliver strong results.

• Detail oriented and experienced in the delivery of accurate and timely reporting.

• You will have excellent communication skills and be able to summarize in a clear, compelling, and concise manner.

• Strong problem solver, able to identify key areas for improvement.

 

This is an exceptional opportunity to join a successful company during a period of growth, with scope for significant career development.

 

Please contact Leo Ketchin at leo@williamscottassociates.com

Corporate Tax Manager, Cambridge

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Due to significant growth, our client are seeking a corporate tax manager to join their friendly team in Cambridge.  They work alongside 5 other offices in the region.

Clients are varied and include scale-up and family run businesses as well as household names across all sectors including life sciences, technology, manufacturing, retail and logistics.

The successful candidate will be able to build strong relationships, develop junior staff, provide excellent client service and identify business development opportunities.

 

Responsibilities

  • Be market facing with allocated clients and target organisations.
  • Liaising with the client service team and with colleagues in other disciplines to provide a co-ordinated service to the client.
  • Developing and maintaining strong relationships with clients and identifying leads for new work
  • Ensuring that clients are kept up to date on developments within the corporate tax world that may affect their businesses.
  • Responding appropriately to requests from clients for other services.  Co-ordinating a number of different teams internally to provide a single point of contact for the client in delivering a comprehensive cross-tax offering.
  • Hold conversations with stakeholders in the markets and be capable of introducing relevant specialists from across the firm.
  • Lead by example with client relationships, technical quality and service delivery
  • Actively promote team and personal profile to internal networks in order to promote collaboration and increase internal leads.
  • Being involved in business development and proposal activity
  • Managing our engagement quality and risk processes and client financials
  • Managing teams, coaching and developing staff
  • Managing project cycles, billing arrangements

Qualifications and Skills:

  • Strong educational background (preferably 2:1 or higher University degree)
  • ACA, CA, CTA, ACCA or equivalent qualified with strong corporate tax and accounting knowledge

The Individual:

  • Strong interpersonal skills in addition to strong oral and written communication skills
  • Display technical strength in corporate tax and international advice.
  • Sustains a high level of drive, shows enthusiasm and a positive attitude that translates across the team.
  • Displays an inclusive, collaborative approach and operates in a respectful manner with colleagues, clients, and the wider community.
  • Brings insight and effectively applies knowledge to business and client problems.
  • Strong organisational skills to manage a portfolio and number of projects at the same time.
  • Communicates with impact, in a way that is open, honest, consistent, and clear.
  • Takes responsibility and accountability for own work. Continuously learns from experiences, seeks out feedback and development opportunities.

For more information please contact leo.ketchin@williamscottassociates.com

The Benefits of Global Work

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In today’s interconnected world, businesses are expanding beyond borders, and finance professionals—such as auditors and specialists—are finding new opportunities in the global market. Working internationally is not only an exciting career move but also a strategic one that offers numerous advantages. Here’s why pursuing global opportunities can be a game-changer for finance professionals and auditors:

1. Diverse Expertise and Experience

When you work in multiple countries, you gain exposure to a wide variety of regulatory environments, tax codes, and financial practices. This experience makes you a more versatile and knowledgeable professional. Auditors, in particular, can learn how different organizations manage risk, compliance, and governance across borders, allowing them to offer more comprehensive insights and solutions.

2. Competitive Edge in the Job Market

Employers highly value international experience. Professionals who have worked globally demonstrate adaptability, cultural awareness, and the ability to navigate complex financial systems. This global expertise makes you more attractive to both multinational corporations and organizations seeking to expand their footprint.

3. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills

International work often requires finance professionals to think outside the box and develop creative solutions to complex issues. Whether it’s dealing with unfamiliar regulations or integrating diverse financial reporting systems, auditors and finance specialists sharpen their analytical and problem-solving abilities. These skills are crucial in delivering value to businesses operating in an increasingly complex global economy.

4. Cultural Competence and Broader Network

Working internationally allows you to build cultural competence—a valuable skill in today’s globalized business environment. Understanding different business customs, communication styles, and market behaviors can help auditors and finance specialists foster stronger client relationships and better manage cross-border teams. Additionally, you will expand your professional network across various regions, which can lead to future career opportunities.

5. Personal and Professional Growth

Stepping out of your comfort zone and working in a new country fosters both personal and professional growth. You’ll gain new perspectives, become more adaptable, and develop a broader understanding of global markets. This type of experience often leads to higher career satisfaction and a more robust resume, positioning you for leadership roles in the future.

6. Increased Earning Potential

Many international finance and audit positions offer competitive salaries, and in some cases, expatriate benefits such as housing allowances and tax incentives. Furthermore, professionals with global experience often command higher salaries in their home country upon returning, due to their specialized knowledge and international credentials.

7. Contributing to Global Standards

By working internationally, auditors and finance specialists play a vital role in fostering global business standards. Whether through helping companies comply with international financial reporting standards (IFRS) or ensuring adherence to global audit practices, finance professionals are key to ensuring consistency and transparency in an interconnected world.

For finance specialists and auditors looking to elevate their careers, international experience is more than just an opportunity for travel—it’s a gateway to professional growth, new skills, and a wealth of career possibilities. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your career to the next level, working globally could be the key to unlocking your potential in today’s dynamic financial landscape.

Are you ready to explore global opportunities in finance and auditing? Contact us to learn how we can help you take the next step in your career!

Part-Qualified Management Accountant, Oxford

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Management Accountant for a biopharmaceutical company focused on regulating cell metabolism to develop first-in-class disease modifying therapeutics in immuno-oncology and immuno-inflammation. The firm was founded in 2018 with seed funding from SV Health Investors and raised $30 million Series A funding from an international syndicate of specialist investors including SV Health Investors, Sofinnova Partners, Longwood Fund and GSK. The company has a pipeline of projects at multiple stages of drug discovery. It is headquartered in Oxford, UK, with a small, but growing presence in North America.

 

The company was co-founded by a team of world-leading scientists from the United States and Europe who have contributed significantly to the field of immunometabolism.

This is an exciting time for the company as it well funded and about to commence Phase two clinical trials. The natural consequence of this is that there is a lot of work to do on the finance and operations side of the business.

 

We are looking for a part qualified Management Accountant who is looking to progress and develop their skills and continue with their accountancy training. The role will report to the Associate Director of Finance.

 

It is expected that the Management Accountant will be hands on, flexible, and comfortable dealing with a wide range of projects and various ad hoc pieces of work. The role will require good communication skills and a team-player mindset as there is likely to be significant interactions with the whole team from senior to junior levels and external stakeholders. Responsibilities will include:

 

 

· Prepayments and Accurals;

· Fixed Assets;

· Assisting with Forecasts & Budgets;

· Assisting with preparation of Management Accounts,

· Bank payments and reconciliations;

· VAT Returns;

· Dealing with foreign exchange and multi currencies.

· Setting up of management accounts pack;

· Responsibility for US subsidiary;

· Assisting with group consolidation;

· Performing the month end process including posting of journals into Sage;

· Preparing deliverables for the year end audit.

 

Candidate Profile

 

· Attention to detail is crucial.

· Possesses a can do attitude with lots of initiative.

· A part qualified accountant progressing to qualification;

· Sage Line 50 experience is desirable;

· SME and/or high growth company experience;

· Exposure and interest in the life sciences sector is advantageous;

· Analytical, and data driven in approach, with excellent Excel skills;

· Strong team player with good communications skills;

· An ambition to progress and develop.

 

 

This role requires an exceptionally capable part qualified accountant. You must have the enthusiasm and motivation to support the ongoing development of this dynamic and growing international business.

Transaction Services Specialist

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About the role: 

  • You will be performing financial due diligence, valuations work (often including modelling) and business development 
  • Project management: responsible for the delivery of client facing projects, being the main day to day point of contact for senior client contacts.  
  • Building relationships – required to build and sustain relationships with client management team members for the benefit of the Firm as well as acting as an ambassador and role model for the Firm.  
  • Developing people: demonstrate the ability to give clear directions, as well as positive and constructive feedback. You will coach less experienced staff and actively assist in the development of others.  
  • Delivering quality service and time management: Individuals will be required to monitor and deliver high quality service to clients (both internal and external). They will need to be able to manage their own time, plan and organise work tasks, monitor progress and meet deadlines. Individuals will be proficient at managing multiple priorities. Individuals will need to have excellent analytical and report writing skills.  
  • You will be based in the London office (when possible). 

 

 

Qualifications and Experience: 

  • ACA Qualified  
  • Experience of financial due diligence. 
  • Strong analytical skills including the ability to interpret data, generate insights and construct solutions 
  • Excellent written and oral communication 
  • Strong personal impact 
  • Ability to perform consistently at a high level under pressure 
  • Must be computer literate with advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel 
  • Ability to work in a team but also have an entrepreneurial outlook. 

 

This offers an excellent opportunity for career development within an expanding London firm. There is a real focus on individual dependent and an opportunity to be exposed to a real diversity of client work both in the Transaction services project area. High performing individuals will be well remunerated and will progress very quickly.  

Big 4 Auditor, Melbourne

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We are currently partnering with a Big 4 Client in Australia to source exceptional candidates for their External Audit team in Melbourne.

 

Our client is part of a global network providing extensive services across a wide range of industries and sectors. Their people collaborate, share their expertise and create innovation as they partner with clients to solve complex challenges, empower change, drive, disruption and growth. They look for talented people with the potential to make an extraordinary difference for their clients, their firm and their communities.

The auditing world is changing and we want you to come help us change it. Standardisation, automation and digitalisation is the future of audit at our client. Questioning ‘why’ is the environment encouraged and where their people strive. They want you to have the ability to challenge the way things were done in the past while working on multiple industries and high profile brands – because they believe ‘if you never stretch, you never grow!’

Joining them means you will be part of an agile and flexible working environment that can offer you best in class learning and personal development opportunities.  Not to mention an array of benefits including annual flu vaccinations, volunteer leave, discounted health insurance, MS Office for home products and a load of retail discounts.

The Audit & Assurance team provides value to their clients through the delivery of specialised quality audit and assurance services. They collaborate with a broad range of clients including ASX listed organisations, private companies and family businesses.

The nature of the work performed in Audit has an immediate impact on the lives of clients. By sharing this journey, they create unique connections that offer endless opportunities to continue making a difference.

Each day, you will work with some of the most exciting, innovative and important businesses in Australia. You will provide specialised services that enable our clients to focus on their growth journey, as they change the landscape of our economy. Come and be a part of a dynamic, fast growing, market leading team who is committed to helping clients succeed.

Due to growth within their existing client base, they currently have opportunities in their market leading External Audit division at Assistant Manager level.

 

Your Opportunity

  • Be accountable for leading and managing engagements of high-profile clients and all aspects of audit delivery, client service and business development
  • Be responsible for executing advisory related engagements
  • Provide inspirational and engaging leadership to grow and develop talent
  • Form strong relationships with prestigious audit clients and play a key role in the delivery of quality assurance and reporting
  • Benefit from career building experiences through your work on some of the largest audit clients
  • Enjoy a journey offering considerable scope to grow through their structured future leadership program
  • Look forward to capitalising on interesting career opportunities on offer through our Global network of offices

How are you Extraordinary?

As the successful candidate you will:

  • Be CA/equivalent qualified or nearing completion.
  • Have experience working across Private and Corporate Clients
  • Bring a proven track record of high performance and success
  • Have gained strong IFRS skills
  • Possess exceptional problem solving and analytical skills
  • Possess highly developed written and verbal communication skills
  • Possess demonstrated team leadership abilities

 

IT Audit Manager and Associate Director, Big 4, Sydney and Melbourne

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Due to exciting growth our client are expanding their IT Audit team.

The team is made up of audit focused people who are all pivotal to the successful delivery of their IT External Audit engagements.

 

Your Opportunity

As a Manager/Associate Director in the IT Audit team, you will play a key role in:

  • Develop, coach, mentor and share expertise with team members, providing stretch assignments to advance their capability.
  • Assist their clients to meet IT audit requirements and timelines.
  • Provide technical knowledge, direction and training to engagement team members.
  • Embed data analytics and automation in the audit execution.
  • Support engagement managers in the preparation of clear and concise IT External Audit reports.

 

Is this you?

  • You enjoy marrying your strong analytical skills with fantastic technical communication skills to write detailed and accurate reports.
  • You are resilient and thrive in a fast-paced environment, where you will be supported to use your initiative to work through competing priorities.
  • You enjoy working in the details, with a proactive attitude towards accuracy and deadlines.

 

Your Experience:

Your qualifications, skills & experience could include:

  • Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and share expertise with team members, providing stretch assignments to advance their capability.
  • Demonstrated client service excellence
  • Background in IT Audit, assurance, risk management or advisory
  • A tertiary qualification in a related field (e.g. Accounting, Information Systems, Commer or other)
  • Strong written and verbal communication/presentation skills

 

N.B. If you are emigrating for this role the client will pay for your visa, flights and 2 weeks accommodation

Fund Accountant, London

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Our client is an international growth capital investment firm, with a track record of delivering high returns from investments in innovative, high-growth healthcare businesses. The partners in the business are passionate about building world-leading businesses that improve patients’ lives and are seeking a candidate who will fit well in this collegiate and stretching working environment. The firm has been growing AUM rapidly (>$1bn total) and recently raised a new $500m fund to continue deploying their successful strategy. As a result of this growth, the firm is seeking a finance professional to join the team. The role will be based in the firm’s central London office.

Reporting to both the COO and the Financial Controller, the main responsibilities of the role will include:

  • Preparation of quarterly investor reports
  • Interfacing with third party administrators and reviewing their reporting
  • Co-ordinating fund cash flow processes (capital calls, distributions, debt utilisations, investments)
  • Assisting with preparation of fund annual financial statements
  • Assisting with the annual audit
  • Assisting with ad hoc financial requests from within the team and from external investors
  • Preparation of UK and US partnership tax information for use by the firm’s external tax advisers (prior knowledge of UK and US partnership tax rules is not essential)
  • Assisting with preparation of diligence materials for potential investors
  • Supporting FCA compliance activities

 

Other duties will include:

  • Maintenance of GLs for certain funds and special purpose investment vehicles
  • Review and approval of online banking payments
  • Review of team expense claims

 

The opportunity requires an individual who is a qualified accountant and who enjoys working in a varied, stimulating and demanding professional environment. They should be a highly motivated self-starter, with strong organisational and time-management skills, pride in their work product and a desire to learn. Working in a small finance team, the successful candidate will play a meaningful part in the continuing expansion of the firm, while working for a business that is investing in exciting, innovative companies within the healthcare sector.