Senior / Principal Accountant

WE ARE HIRING: Principal Accountant (UK Accounting & Tax) 

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Employment Type: Full Time
Working Hours: 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM (UK Calendar Aligned)
Industry: Accounting & Tax Advisory / Professional Services 

Role Overview 

We are seeking an experienced Principal Accountant to manage a portfolio of UK clients while providing technical leadership to a Colombo-based accounting team. The successful candidate will act as the primary escalation point for complex accounting and tax matters, review technical work, mentor team members, and build strong client relationships. 

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of UK-based clients across multiple industries.
• Prepare and review presentation decks for management and client onboarding meetings.
• Lead client meetings and communicate financial information effectively to business owners and directors.
• Build and strengthen long-term client relationships.
• Support accounting software implementation and process improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and review monthly management accounts, VAT returns, payroll, statutory accounts, corporation tax computations, self-assessment tax returns, and financial reconciliations.
• Review work prepared by accountants to ensure technical accuracy and compliance with UK legislation.
• Act as the first point of escalation for accounting and tax-related queries.
• Identify accounting issues early and recommend practical commercial solutions.
• Support implementation of financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and enhance service delivery standards.
• Lead ad-hoc accounting, finance, and compliance projects.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiencies through technology, automation, and AI.

Candidate Profile

• Minimum 5 years of accounting experience, including significant experience within a UK accounting practice.
• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS, CMA, or equivalent).
• Strong technical knowledge of UK accounting standards, corporation tax, VAT, payroll, management accounts, self-assessment tax returns, and year-end accounts.
• Experience managing a portfolio of UK clients.
• Experience reviewing the work of junior accountants.
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in Xero and Microsoft Excel.
• Commercially minded, highly organized, and detail-oriented.
• Highly motivated with strong ownership and commitment to continuous learning.
• Experience with QuickBooks, Sage, FreeAgent, TaxCalc, Dext, or Hubdoc will be an added advantage.
• Comfortable using technology, automation, and AI to improve business processes.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and discretionary annual bonus.
• Professional qualification support through a structured training contract.
• Private pension, medical insurance, critical illness, and life insurance.
• Ongoing learning, development, and career progression opportunities.

Ready to take your career to new heights? 

We're InTalent Asia, your go-to recruitment partner in Sri Lanka, and we've got an exciting opportunity for you! 

Our client is looking for a skilled individual to fill the role of Principal Accountant (UK Accounting & Tax). 

Apply now and see how you can be the perfect fit for this exclusive position!

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