I am currently working for a household high street retailer who is seeking a newly qualified Financial Accountant to join their growing London finance team on a temporary basis for an initial period of six months with a possibility of an extension. The role is reporting directly into the Financial Controller and is based in their brand new Soho office. This is a brilliant opportunity for a newly qualified CA candidate with some exposure to retail, who is looking for their first role outside of practice

Key Responsibilities

• Complete monthly accounting activities, understand variances to budgets/forecasts and clearly explain these to relevant stakeholders within and outside of Finance.
• Complete the annual statutory accounts for the group
• Liaise with external auditors to provide information requests for half year and annual reporting
• Support the Financial Controller with managing the G insurance requirements including liaising with brokers, collating risk information and coordinating internal processes around handling of claims
• Streamline existing processes to improve efficiency, accuracy and level of control
• Understand other activities within the Financial Accounting team and provide cover for other team members as required
• Support with ad hoc activities as required

• Critically appraise key processes to recommend improvements and identify opportunities to save cost or invest better
• Work with the wider Finance team to ensure periodic budgets and forecasts are as accurate as possible and to understand forecast variances

Key Requirements

• Qualified accountant (CA/ACA)
• Excellent IT skills with strong knowledge of Excel
• Strong organisational skills, logical approach and attention to detail
• Proven ability to work to deadlines whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy
• Ability to communicate detailed process and transactional data clearly and simply at all levels
• Strong interpersonal skills, a skilled leader and influencer with a passion for people development
• Self-motivated, resilient and able to demonstrate initiative
• A strong and self-aware communicator with ability to influence others