Financial Accountant

Why this role exists?

To support the delivery of an effective financial accounts team, ensuring a robust control environment that supports the delivery of the annual statutory accounts for all the Group companies. This role will support the delivery of our regulatory requirements for financial data submissions to the RSH, requirements for VAT and other taxes.

The role is also responsible for the management and monitoring of the cashflow and payment systems and supporting the management of our Finance system (Open Accounts).

The Salary

£50,000

How this role will deliver success

This role has responsibility for delivering the preparation and delivery of the Groups external financial reporting, this will involve the preparation of the Group consolidated financial statements from subsidiary reporting packs.  This role will be a key contact and liaise regularly with the Groups external auditors liaising with them to ensure a smooth planned audit process.  This is a key activity within the role that supports the delivery of the year end Group and subsidiary management letters and annual reports that are presented to the Audit & Assurance Committee and the Operational and Group Boards.

The Financial Accountant will ensure that adequate financial controls are embedded across the team, supported by control account reconciliations completed in a timely manner with any discrepancies investigated and resolved.  This includes ensuring there are effective intercompany processes and reporting inclusive of the management of debtors/creditors and cash balances.

The role will also be responsible for ensuring that appropriate systems and controls are in place for the correct calculation and payment of relevant taxes and pension contributions (i.e. Corporation Tax, VAT, CIS, Payroll Taxes) ensuring such payments are made on a timely basis.

These are key activities within the Group and ensure the integrity of our financial reporting and effective cash management across the Group in line with our Treasury Strategy and Policy.

The role will support demonstrating compliance against all regulatory and legislative requirements including delivery of annual statutory accounts and returns to the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH).

The Financial Accountant is responsible for the Accounts Assistant role and will provide leadership, guidance training and support driving high levels of employee engagement and clear leadership of the area of responsibility within the Corporate Finance Team.

Activities you will carry out within this role

Producing a quarterly financial return to the RSH for review, working with the Finance management accountant team to prepare the lead schedules for the year end audit, meeting with the external auditors to plan the approach for the year end audit. Reviewing and preparing balance sheet reconciliations and working with the Accounts Assistant to develop month end reporting information for the intercompany reconciliations.

What you need to be successful in this role

Knowledge

  • Experience of producing regulatory and statutory reporting inclusive of knowledge of relevant Statement of Accounting Practices
  • Understanding of treasury management processes and reporting
  • Understanding of credit control, VAT and other taxes
  • Use of BRIXX business planning software (desirable)

Skills

  • Ability to organise and prioritise work to meet conflicting deadlines and delegate effectively
  • An ability to analyse and explain complex financial information in a clear way at all levels both in report format, presentations and verbally
  • Ability to contribute to the development of strategy and business plans.
  • The ability to use IT in a financial environment, in particular, Word, PowerPoint and the ability to use and develop Excel spreadsheets
  • Good communication and presentation skills
  • Team working skills
  • Good attention to detail


Qualifications

  • Professional Accountancy Qualification and evidence of Continued Professional Development


Experience

  • Accountancy & project management experience within a similar environment
  • Experience of the preparation of annual financial statements
  • Experience of rent setting and social housing regulation
  • Experience of treasury management processes, cash flow and credit control/debt management
  • Team management and motivation to deliver high levels of staff engagement

To be successful in all Calico Group roles, candidates will need to demonstrate that their values and behaviours align with ours. This will be assessed throughout the recruitment process.