Business Systems Accountant in Sunderland

Arriva is a leading European passenger transport partner, operating in 11 countries across the UK and Europe. The company employs around 35,000 people, delivering more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys connecting people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably.

We are looking for a Business Systems Accountant to join our Corporate Accounting Team on a full time, permanent basis. This role will be based from our Sunderland office.

Role Purpose

To develop and manage Group Finance systems and processes to ensure the effective and efficient processing of financial and non-financial data, and to further extend the range of management tools and reports used to inform the organisation. Collaborate with Arriva’s IT and Finance staff to meet business requirements. Work closely with other members of the Finance Team in Corporate Accounting and Corporate Reporting to ensure the effective delivery of its overall aims and its programme of work and responsibilities.

Breadth of Role

The role holder is responsible for ensuring that Group Finance related systems and interfaces operate reliably and effectively, and that controls are proven to be effective.

Key Responsibilities

• Day-to-day: Troubleshooting and fixing finance and related system issues including raising tickets with appropriate helpdesk; Communication to Finance colleagues across the Group on system changes impacting them; Reviewing systems performance and resolving issues; Working closely and managing relationship with key external suppliers supporting the systems; Onboard users to Finance related systems including user access rights and supporting their training needs.
• Process and systems improvement: Work with colleagues, including senior stakeholders in Corporate Accounting, Corporate Reporting and other Finance teams to identify and implement systems improvements; Management, maintenance and continuous improvement of Group Finance systems; Responsibility for communications of updates/changes to end users and ensuring all changes are fully documented and tested; Manage finance systems upgrades, working closely with end users and external suppliers supporting the systems to ensure successful testing and implementation; Review current interfaces, forms and procedures of finance systems and propose solutions to streamline and reduce manual intervention.
• Systems administration: Liaising with IT to ensure staff have appropriate access to Group Finance systems; Review and implement requests for changes to system workflows, supported by external support suppliers; Test and review access rights to Group Finance systems; Ensure the appropriate license structure is maintained and a process in place for recycling licenses; Supporting set up of new scenarios (e.g. Budget and Forecasts) and new entities for changes in group structure in systems; Monitoring systems performance and processes; Work with and ensure strong relationships with system suppliers/implementation partners.
• Governance and controls: Instil a culture of robust control and efficiency throughout Group Finance and the wider organisation; Ensure policies and procedures exist for Group finance systems; Define and maintain archiving strategy and archive schedule of prior period data to ensure and maintain optimal Finance system performance; Design, implement and maintain preventive internal system controls to provide quality assurance over financial data; Liaise with external stakeholders (e.g. internal and external auditors, system developers) and keep up to date to ensure good practice in this area; Ensure adherence to document retention policies in Finance; Support the Senior Finance Leadership team in ensuring that internal financial controls are fit for purpose and are enforced, measured and monitored, and improved where necessary; Work with Finance colleagues to reduce reliance on spreadsheets and information held offline; Provide a consistent and approachable point of contact for stakeholders for any finance systems related issues.
• Train and support finance team members and other staff in the use of financial systems and procedures: Delivery of system training for Finance colleagues; Provide a consistent and approachable point of contact for stakeholders.

Key Performance Measures

• Systems performance is maintained and improved.
• Work instructions documented and maintained.
• Documentation available for changes made.
• Control environment assessed as effective by auditors.
• Policies, procedures and controls documented.
• Controls in place and operating effectively (tested).
• Systems access list up to date.
• All relevant staff trained.
• Positive feedback from stakeholders.

This job description sets out the main duties and responsibilities of the job-holder. It does not constitute an exhaustive or comprehensive description of duties and the job holder will be required to carry out any additional tasks as and when requested to do so by their manager. Responsibilities and duties may also change in light of future business needs and personal development.

The closing date for applications is Friday 30th January 2026. Arriva Group reserves the right to close this vacancy early.