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- Tasks: Lead the financial accounting team and manage year-end accounts and audits.
- Company: Join the British Library, the UK's national library with over 170 million items.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hours, and a fantastic pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a diverse team making a real impact in cultural preservation and access.
- Qualifications: Looking for experienced, qualified finance professionals ready for a new challenge.
- Other info: We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds to enhance our inclusive workplace.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to lead the British Library’s financial accounting team.
Reporting to the Chief Accountant, this role leads the team responsible for financial accounting, including year end accounts preparation, external audit completion, financial returns to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (our sponsoring Department) and dealing with ad-hoc queries and reporting requirements as they arise. The accounting team are also responsible for the Library’s tax compliance and treasury management.
You will work closely with other senior finance professionals in Finance Operations, Finance Systems and Finance Business Planning to ensure the British Library finance team maintains its excellent reputation for accuracy, insight and analysis with both internal and external stakeholders.
The British Library has a wide range of operations alongside a number of ongoing major programmes. This, alongside our charitable status, brings variety and challenge to our financial reporting environment.
The successful candidate will be an experienced, qualified finance professional looking for a new challenge.
About us
We are the national library of the UK and we are here for everyone. Our shelves hold over 170 million items – a living collection that gets bigger every day. Although our roots extend back centuries, we aim to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and far into the future. Our trusted experts care for this collection and open it up for everyone to spark new discoveries, ideas and to help people do incredible things.
We have millions of books, and much more besides. Our London and Yorkshire sites hold collections ranging from newspapers and maps to sound recordings, patents, academic journals, as well as a copy of every UK domain website and blog. Our public spaces provide a place to research, to meet friends, to start up a new business or simply to get inspired by visiting our galleries and events. We work with partners and libraries across the UK and the world to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to use and explore our collections, events, and expertise. And we’re always open online, along with more and more of our digitised collection.
What we can offer you
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A competitive salary.
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A fantastic pension scheme with minimum employer contributions of 28.97% (this may be higher dependent on grade).
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Flexible working hours, with the ability to take up to 5 days flexi leave in a 3-month period.
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25 days holiday.
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Full details of employee benefits can be found on our Careers: Benefits
Closing date: 16 February 2025
Prospective Interview date: 5 March 2025
We are unable to provide sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker visa for this role.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian, Mixed Race and other ethnically diverse candidates and disabled candidates. We would like to increase the representation of these groups within The British Library to ensure our workforce is as diverse as the public that we serve. Creating an inclusive workplace is the core of our business and a way to engage the diversity of thought that is essential to achieve our aims.
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Senior Accountant employer: BRITISH LIBRARY
Contact Detail:
BRITISH LIBRARY Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the British Library's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to diversity and inclusion will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing how you can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the British Library. Engaging with them on platforms like LinkedIn can provide you with insider insights about the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on current trends in financial accounting, especially those relevant to the cultural sector. Being knowledgeable about recent developments can help you stand out as a candidate who is not only qualified but also passionate about the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to handle complex financial reporting tasks. Tailoring your examples to reflect the unique challenges faced by the British Library will make a strong impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Senior Accountant position. Understand the key responsibilities, such as financial accounting, year-end accounts preparation, and tax compliance, to tailor your application accordingly.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience in financial accounting and any leadership roles you've held. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage financial reporting and compliance effectively.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Make sure to clearly state your qualifications, including any relevant certifications or degrees in finance or accounting. This is crucial for a role that requires an experienced, qualified finance professional.
Express Your Interest in Diversity and Inclusion: Given the British Library's commitment to diversity, mention your support for inclusive practices in your application. Share any experiences you have that align with their goal of increasing representation within the workforce.
How to prepare for a job interview at BRITISH LIBRARY
✨Understand the Financial Landscape
Familiarize yourself with the British Library's financial operations, including their year-end accounts preparation and tax compliance. Being able to discuss these topics will show your understanding of the role and its challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this position involves leading a team, be prepared to share examples of your leadership experience. Highlight how you've successfully managed teams in the past and how you can contribute to maintaining the team's excellent reputation.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to financial accounting standards and practices. Brush up on relevant regulations and be ready to discuss how you would handle specific financial scenarios that may arise in the role.
✨Emphasize Collaboration
The role requires working closely with other finance professionals. Be ready to discuss your experience in cross-functional collaboration and how you can foster strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
