Financial Accountant

Reporting to: Financial Controller

Location: Bedford (Hybrid)

Salary: £46,000

Hours: 37 hours per week, permanent contract

We are seeking an experienced and technically strong Financial Accountant to play a key role within our Finance function. This is a hands-on position supporting the delivery of accurate, timely and compliant financial reporting across the organisation.

Working closely with the Financial Controller, Capital Accounting Manager and Operational Accounting Manager, you will provide high-quality technical accounting support and contribute to the smooth operation of month-end, statutory and regulatory reporting processes. You will also play an important role in maintaining robust financial controls and providing additional capacity across the team during peak periods.

About you

You will be a proactive, detail-driven finance professional with strong technical accounting knowledge and the confidence to work across a range of financial reporting activities. You will be comfortable operating in a deadline-focused environment and building effective working relationships across Finance and the wider business.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and review month-end journals, reconciliations and management accounts, ensuring accuracy and adherence to reporting timetables
• Support the efficient delivery of month-end, quarter-end and year-end close processes
• Maintain strong balance sheet control, producing high-quality reconciliations with appropriate supporting evidence
• Assist in the preparation of statutory accounts, disclosure notes and audit working papers
• Support regulatory reporting requirements, including submissions to external bodies where required
• Act as a key point of contact during internal and external audit processes, ensuring audit queries are addressed promptly and accurately
• Provide technical accounting support to management as required
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, supporting enhancements to finance processes, controls and documentation
• Provide flexible support across the Finance function and assist with ad-hoc reporting and analysis as required

Essential requirements:

• CCAB part qualified accountant or finalist, with evidence of continuous professional development
• Strong experience in financial and management accounting, including month-end close and balance sheet control
• Experience supporting statutory accounts preparation and external audit processes
• Sound understanding of current accounting standards and technical accounting requirements
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a solutions-focused mindset
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• High level of IT literacy, particularly in Excel and financial reporting systems
• A high degree of personal integrity, accountability and commercial awareness

Desirable:

• Experience working in a complex, multi-entity organisation
• Experience within social housing or another regulated environment

Our values

At bpha, our values are at the heart of everything we do:

• We take responsibility: We do what we say and are accountable for our actions.
• We show empathy: We respect and listen to every colleague and customer.
• We are better together: We value diversity and achieve more as one team.
• We are ambitious: We strive for excellence and make a positive difference.

Why join us?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a collaborative and supportive finance team, where you can further develop your technical expertise, contribute to meaningful change and play a vital role in delivering high-quality financial reporting that supports the organisation's wider objectives.

Please note that bpha reserves the right to close applications early upon identification of a suitable candidate so early applications are encouraged.