Financial Accountant

The Football Association [The FA] is the not-for-profit governing body of football in England. It is responsible for promoting and developing every level of the game, from grassroots through to the professional game, and generates significant revenue to support investment into English football each year.

The FA oversees England international teams across men's, women's, youth and disability football, as well as running the National League System and FA Competitions including the Emirates FA Cup, Barclays FA Women's Super League, FA Women's Championship, and Vitality Women's FA Cup, and the world-class facilities of Wembley Stadium and St. George's Park, all with a purpose to Unite the Game and Inspire the Nation.

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The Role

The FA is looking for a ACA or ACCA qualified Financial Accountant to support the Senior Group Finance Manager and work alongside the Financial Accounting Team.

Key Accountabilities

Core

• Financial Accountant responsible for all areas of the FA Groups monthly activity including:
  • Preparing and posting monthly Journals
  • Preparation of monthly balance sheet reconciliations including liaising with commercial finance to review and challenge variance analysis
  • Opening, closing and roll forward of the ledger
  • Preparing monthly timetable and financial accounting calendar
  • Prepare understand and deliver below EBITDA analysis
  • Approving changes to the chart of accounts
• Review grant income schedules ensuring grant income appropriately recognised and tracked over the life of the grants.
• Liaise with commercial finance, reviewing commercial deals and ensuring appropriate accounting treatment
• Managing the internal audit process, including the relationship with our internal audit provider
• Responsible for capex management and maintenance of the group fixed asset register and ensuring additions and disposals are properly accounted for in line with the groups accounting policies
• Managing Financial accountings relationship AP/AR and assisting with supplier due diligence
• Stakeholder management across the business
• Stakeholder management across the business

Compliance

• Day to day external audit management including assistance in preparing the FA Group and subsidiary financial statements
• Ensure timely completion of interactive accounts for the FA website, liaising with group comms
• Maintain group accounting policies
• Central point of contact for technical accounting queries
• Ensure statutory compliance and filing deadlines are met
• Review office of national statistics returns and ensure on time filing

Change

• Critically assess processes and lead improvement projects where appropriate

Other

• Execute additional tasks as required in order to meet FA Group changing priorities.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.

What we are looking for

Essential

• ACA or ACCA qualified
• Confident and personable who enjoys building and managing strong relationships both internally and with external organisations
• Inquisitive and agile thinker who is not afraid to challenge the status quo
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Self-starter who excels at time management and workflow prioritisation
• Ability to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Understanding of the broader impact of decisions and ensuring all stakeholders are appropriately engaged

Desirable

• Experience with management of financial accounting systems (Proactis, Great Plains, Management Reporter, Jet)

What we can offer you

• An exciting and challenging role within a changing, dynamic and world-renowned sports organisation.
• Attractive benefits and a competitive salary.

Please be aware that unless you are on a homebased contract, your contract with The FA will specify a fixed location of either Wembley Stadium, St. George's Park or our Processing Centre.

We currently work within a hybrid working model whereby the expectation is to work from your contractual location for part of the week, and as and when required by the team. The remaining days can be worked remotely. We will continue to monitor this model and it may be adjusted in future if deemed necessary.

The Football Association Group promotes inclusion and diversity, and welcomes applications from everyone. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process please mention this in your application.