At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Financial Control team to support financial management and reporting.
- Company: The AA, a trusted UK brand offering diverse services.
- Benefits: 25 days leave, pension scheme, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture valuing diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in financial processes and decision-making.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified Chartered Accountant with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Basingstoke – Hybrid – Three Days in Office
Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract – 30th January 2027
Hours: Monday-Friday
Join our Financial Control team and play a key role in supporting the financial management of one of the AA's core business areas. You'll help ensure accurate financial reporting, maintain strong financial governance and provide valuable insight that supports better business decisions. Working closely with the Roadside Financial Controller, you'll take ownership of key financial processes while helping to modernise the way we work. You'll support the automation of manual accounting and reporting activities by documenting existing processes and working with our Transformation team to introduce smarter, more efficient ways of working. You'll also partner with colleagues across the Roadside Fleet team, providing financial analysis and commercial insight that helps shape future strategy and supports informed decision-making. This is an excellent opportunity to combine financial control, business partnering and continuous improvement in a role where you can make a real impact.
What will I be doing?
- Delivering month-end accounting activities, including journals, accruals, prepayments and analysis, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Producing management information, financial reports and insightful commentary across financial performance, KPIs, balance sheet and cashflow.
- Partnering with the Group Transformation team to automate manual finance processes and improve the efficiency of routine accounting activities.
- Documenting finance processes and providing the data, reports and supporting information needed to design, test and implement automated solutions.
- Identifying and driving process improvement opportunities, tracking benefits and helping reduce manual effort across the Roadside Finance team.
- Completing and reviewing balance sheet reconciliations while maintaining robust financial controls and ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
- Providing commercial insight and pricing support to the Roadside Fleet team, helping to inform strategic business decisions.
- Maintaining strong financial governance by ensuring compliance with accounting policies, technical guidance and internal controls.
- Processing daily financial transactions, including customer refunds, with accuracy and attention to detail.
- Collaborating with colleagues across Finance on transformation initiatives, testing, implementation and wider business improvement projects.
What do I need?
- Fully qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Strong knowledge of financial accounting principles, controls and reporting standards.
- Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and turn insight into action.
- Advanced Excel and data manipulation skills, with experience using Power Query and large datasets.
- Confidence using ERP systems such as SAP or Navision, with knowledge of automation tools and technology.
- Ability to document finance processes clearly and support automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
- Proactive approach to problem solving, with the confidence to challenge, improve and deliver solutions.
- Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Interest in technology and process improvement, with a desire to help shape more efficient ways of working.
Additional information
We’re always looking to recognise and reward our employees for the work they do. As a valued member of The AA team, you’ll have access to a range of benefits including:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme
- Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution
- Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends
- Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
- Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more
- Company funded life assurance
- Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career
- Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family
We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best and feel like you truly belong. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.
As part of the onboarding process, we complete several pre-employment checks including work reference, credit and criminal record checks.
Financial Accountant in Basingstoke employer: Automobile Association
The Automobile Association in Southampton is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for Mobile Mechanics to work independently while receiving comprehensive training and support. With a strong focus on employee growth and inclusivity, the company provides guaranteed earnings and an attractive benefits package, making it a rewarding place to build your career in the automotive industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Accountant in Basingstoke
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
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Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Automobile Association.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
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Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Automobile Association might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Accountant in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Automobile Association will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Automobile Association. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Automobile Association confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Automobile Association
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Automobile Association.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Automobile Association that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
