The Group Financial Accountant and Analyst will work within the Group Finance Team, reporting to the Group Financial Controller. This is a wide and varied role as part of the corporate head office team, combining financial reporting and financial analysis for a FTSE 250 Group.
This is an excellent first move out of practice for a newly ACA qualified accountant. You'll bring the technical discipline built during your training - whether through audit, accounts preparation or advisory work and apply it in a fast-paced, commercial, real-world business. In return, you'll gain hands-on exposure to financial forecasting, land and stock analysis, investor and analyst reporting, and Group consolidation that simply isn't available in practice - all within a small, supportive Group Finance team that invests in your development from day one.
There is a proven track record of ACA qualified accountants joining Berkeley directly from practice and building long-term careers here, many have progressed from this Head Office role into senior operational finance positions across our divisions within a few years.
What You'll Be Doing
- Preparation of key operational and financial information as part of monthly management reporting pack (for example, cash flow forecasting, stock analysis, sales analysis, status of planning applications etc.).
- Preparation and analysis of the Group's land holdings.
- Forecasting of half year and year-end financial results.
- Review and preparation of analysis of competitor results and industry trends.
Year End and Half Year - preparation and review of external reporting - 50%
- Assistance with the Group consolidation and detailed analysis of key components (inventory, creditors, etc.).
- Contribution to the Annual Report preparation and Presentation to Analysts and Investors.
- Monitoring financial statement disclosures and updating Group practice through direct liaison with Divisional Finance teams, as appropriate.
- Working with the external auditors throughout the audit process - a natural extension of your experience from the other side of the audit.
- Preparation of subsidiary and joint venture statutory accounts (approximately 40 across the team) - putting your technical accounts preparation skills from practice straight to work.
IFRS / Technical accounting - 10%
- Continuing review of impact and development of international accounting standards.
- Keeping aware of the impact of changing practice and industry issues.
Ad hoc - 10%
- Sales cash monitoring against forecast.
- Impact analysis of financial/accounting effect of proposed Group projects / transactions.
This role will be based at Oval, London with travel to Cobham, Surrey required. Access to a car essential.
What You'll Bring
- Qualified Accountant ACA.
- Essential to possess excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
- Motivated with a positive 'can do' attitude and genuine curiosity about how a business operates beyond the audit file.
- Good organisational skills.
- Diligent, with strong attention to detail.
- Confident interacting with senior stakeholders in a corporate head office environment, and keen to build on client-facing experience gained in practice.
- Ability to multitask and prioritise work according to timescales.
- Professional approach and high level of discretion.
- Team player, willing to learn and get involved in a wide range of tasks beyond the audit cycle.
- Ability to work on own initiative and generate solutions.
Why join us?
- 25 days annual leave, increasing with service to 33 days.
- Health and wellbeing benefits including Private Medical Insurance.
- Lifestyle benefits including access to an online discount platform.
- Berkeley Foundation volunteer day.
- Private pension plan.
- Group life assurance.
The standard default full-time working hours in the office are 8am-5pm with core working hours 9am-4pm.
Internal applicants:
If you're an internal applicant, please ensure you've informed your line manager of your intention to apply for this position.
Group Financial Accountant and Analyst employer: Berkeley Group Plc
Berkeley Group is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With generous benefits such as up to 33 days of annual leave, private medical insurance, and a strong commitment to health and safety, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to the creation of sustainable communities in Wallingford. The opportunity to work on innovative projects like Winterbrook Meadows not only enhances career development but also allows employees to make a meaningful impact in the lives of residents.
