Group Accountant

This is a fantastic opportunity to get your foot in the door with a FTSE 100 retailer, you will be expected to work within this role for 12 months, you will then have the opportunity to progress into one of the commercial finance teams.

This companies offers extensive training, progression and a real chance to work for a growing multi-national business.

Summary of the Role's Main Purpose:

Working within the Group Finance Team and owning the financial accounting for a portfolio of Group companies, as well as a number of technical areas. In addition this individual will work closely with the Group Consolidation Manager and Group Reporting Manager in producing the consolidated Group results a periodic, half year and full year basis.

Principle Accountabilities:

GROUP COMPANY FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

• Production and management of a number of Group company accounts
• Maintenance of all accounting records and trial balances of each entity within Excel & Oracle
• Ownership and reconciliation of allocated balance sheet accounts
• Assistance with accounting for property, financing and tax structures in line with Corporate Finance and business requirements
• Management of accounting integration for relevant acquisitions and disposals

SUBSIDIARY STATUTORY ACCOUNTS PREPARATION PROCESS

• Preparation of the Group's subsidiary statutory accounts
• Liaising with external auditors and the internal Group Reporting team to ensure statutory accounts are prepared and audited within the set timelines
• Ensuring Group's statutory accounts are filed with Companies House on a timely basis

TECHNICAL AREA OWNERSHIP

• Be a subject matter expert for a specific accounting area e. pensions, cash flow, share based payments etc.
• Own all accounting entries for subject area.
• Ensure correct presentation of subject area in Group accounts

GROUP CONSOLIDATION

• Assist with the production of the periodic Income Statement and Balance Sheet, ensuring all consolidation journals are posted and reconciled
• Assist with the intercompany process ensuring that all Group balances are accurately reconciled and agreed on a periodic basis
• Ensure that the Group companies' management accounts are uploaded into Hyperion for the Group consolidation
• Preparation of cash flow statement and related commentary
• Preparation of period end, half year and year end cash flow statement

BUDGETING & FORECASTING

• Budgeting & forecasting for Group companies, in conjunction with relevant divisions and providing analysis and commentary on any large variances
• Budgeting & forecasting for the allocated balance sheet accounts

OTHER

• Perform a high standard of ad hoc analysis to support the CFO and Director of Group Finance which identifies key issues and opportunities for improvement
• Input into the Annual Report and Half year process including ownership in the preparation of financial statement notes
• Demonstrate the use of judgment in calculating, presenting and arguing the application of accounting standards to the Group; ensuring that balanced arguments are presented in formal papers to external auditors
• In conjunction with the Group Reporting Manager, ensure the business is up to date and fully prepared for all new financial/accounting standard changes/interpretations under International Accounting Standards, providing briefing papers, interpreting technical accounting concepts to the companies position
• Provide technical accounting support to wider business projects on an ad hoc basis.

Measures of Success:

• Accurate primary statements produced for management reporting
• Group entity accounts are fully reconciled with robust financial control
• Subsidiary statutory accounts filed within given timescales
• Accounting regulation changes identified prior to the event with all expected accounting implications identified and documented
• Positive customer feedback from divisional teams

Core Areas of Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Qualified accountant with good knowledge of IFRS standards
• Self-starter who can work independently with minimal support
• Good systems skills (Excel, Oracle & Hyperion)
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Able to demonstrate a strong customer service ethic
• A critical eye for detail.
• Project management skills
• The ability to work under pressure - providing accurate high quality work under tight deadlines