Financial Accountant

United Kingdom Finance 6 Financial Control and Reporting / Permanent / Remote About Us Sophos is a cybersecurity leader defending 600,000 organizations globally with an AI-driven platform and expert-led services. Sophos meets organizations wherever they are in their security maturity and grows with them to defeat cyberattacks. Its solutions combine machine learning, automation, and real-time threat intelligence with frontline human expertise from Sophos X-Ops to deliver advanced, 24/7 threat monitoring, detection, and response. Sophos offers industry-leading managed detection and response (MDR) alongside a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity technologies 6 including endpoint, network, email, and cloud security, extended detection and response (XDR), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and next-gen SIEM. Together with expert advisory services, these capabilities help organizations proactively reduce risk and respond faster, with the visibility and scalability needed to stay ahead of evolving threats. Sophos goes to market with a global partner ecosystem, including Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), resellers and distributors, marketplace integrations, and cyber risk partners, giving organizations the flexibility to choose trusted relationships when securing their business. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com.

Role Summary

As a key member of the EMEA Financial Control team, you will be responsible for the month end close, variance analysis, monthly cash flow reporting and local entity audit for Sophos Ireland and Sweden. This will involve working closely with the Global Process owners to ensure critical accounting areas - including GRNI, prepayments and fixed assets are accurately controlled and accounted for. You will support the EMEA North Financial Accountant in delivering a smooth and timely month-end close, enabling the production of high-quality local GAAP financial statements, and will take ownership of the annual audits and local statutory filings for both countries. In addition, you will oversee all aspects of accounting and statutory compliance for the Sophos Ireland and Sweden legal entities. This includes all elements of the finance function covering general ledger, balance sheet control, preparation of local statutory accounts, annual audits and all local tax compliance. You will also work closely with the centralised Accounts Payable, Receivable, and Payroll teams as well as the global process and accounting teams and review their outputs prior to approval. You will operate in line with, and actively contribute to, standardised Sophos EMEA financial control procedures, driving consistency and continuous improvement. Where required, you will also support the EMEA North Financial Accountant with related activities for Sophos Limited.

What You Will Do

• Responsible for month-end accounting to strict deadlines. Review the work of your team pertaining to month end balance sheet reconciliations for Sophos Ireland and Sweden.
• Provide analysis for monthly, quarterly, annual variances analysis against Plan and Forecast, investigating and clearly explaining significant cost variances to the EMEA North Financial Accountant.
• Take ownership and first review of all balance sheet account reconciliations ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timely monthly submission.
• Full use of One Stream for balance sheet reconciliations and quarterly local variance commentary.
• Assist in the development of OneStream task manager relating to specific tasks of Sophos Ireland and Sweden.
• Preparation of annual statutory reporting requirements. Lead annual audit of the Irish and Swedish legal entities in conjunction with the members of the team and assist in the preparation of Sophos Limited Statutory accounts.
• Oversee all tax compliance activities, including VAT, WHT, indirect and corporate income tax returns, ensuring filing and payment deadlines are met and all tax questionnaires are completed accurately and on time for the Irish and Swedish entities.
• Co-ordinate and prepare detailed monthly cash flow forecast and reporting for the Irish and Swedish entities for inclusion in the Group forecast and ensuring corporate treasury policy is followed throughout.
• Prepare and review corporation tax pack analysis in line with Group requirements.
• Prepare and action the timetable detailing tasks for the monthly activities; manage/monitor activities to ensure smooth/timely close; ensure accounting/reporting activities included within fully documented procedure manual which is continuously updated/maintained.
• Ensure compliance to all internal policies/controls (e.g., expenses/travel policy), providing review/sign-off.
• Work closely with/foster relationships with global centralized teams to ensure efficient outputs.
• Responsible for submission of Office for National Statistics data.
• Compile data for yearly R&D Expenditure Credit; main point of contact for any finance queries relating to submission.

What You Will Bring

• Understanding of accounting practices/standards under IFRS & Local GAAP.
• Working with external auditors/tax advisors/local consultants.
• Practical experience of all aspects of month end & annual closing accounting.
• Working within a highly sales driven & fast-moving culture.

Desirable

• Improving processes & controls.
• Working within a software company; ideally global organization supporting global actions/initiatives.
• Minimum of 3 years post qualification experience in industry.
• Working with SAP.
• Familiarity with local taxation filing requirements for Irish & Swedish entities.
• Experience in planning processes & budget setting.