Financial Accountant in Birmingham

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Salary: £55,310.87 Contract Type: FTC -12-month Maternity cover Location: To be based at one of our main hubs London, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Leeds or Glasgow. An additional London Allowance of £4,613.61 payable to London based candidates only. Type of Working Arrangement: Blended approach of home and office-working is available, with occasional travel to London required. Hours: 37 hours per week.

British Transport Police (BTP) is the national police force for the rail network throughout Great Britain. We are the ‘Guardians of the Railway,’ putting passenger safety at the heart of what we do. Our values are simply: We Care, We Do the Right Thing, We Strive to Be Better Every Day, We Are One BTP, and We Are Proud to Protect. Join us and help create an environment where we can all be our best every day.

The Opportunity

Join BTP as a Financial Accountant and play a key role in shaping our financial integrity and performance. In this role, you’ll take ownership of preparing financial statements, quarterly accounts, and ad hoc reports, ensuring our financial control environment remains robust and effective. You’ll collaborate closely with auditors, deliver clear and insightful reports to the Audit and Risk Committee, implement audit recommendations, and provide technical accounting expertise to both the finance team and wider business areas. You’ll lead on IFRS 16 compliance for estates lease accounting, ensuring accurate reporting and supporting improvements in related processes across the organisation.

What you\’ll be doing

• Prepare the annual financial statements.
• Deliver ad-hoc reporting on financial and technical issues.
• Use technical accounting knowledge to resolve technical accounting issues.

Period End And Routine Processes

• Execute the accounting close process, ensuring accurate and timely compilation of financial data.
• Prepare monthly journals and balance sheet reconciliations, with a focus on fixed asset accounts.

Audit Liaison

• Liaise with internal and external auditors, preparing working papers and governance reports for the Audit and Risk Committee.
• Implement audit recommendations arising from internal and external reviews.

Technical Accounting And Taxation

• Provide technical accounting advice across the finance team and wider business areas.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS 16 estates lease accounting standards, including accurate recognition, measurement, and reporting of all estates leases.
• Monitor and implement changes in lease accounting regulations, advising on their impact and supporting process improvements.

Financial Systems And Compliance

• Work with the Financial Systems team to develop and implement process improvements and strengthen financial controls.
• Monitor and report on compliance with financial control requirements.

Qualifications And Training – What you\’ll bring

• A Part/Fully qualified member of one of the five Consultative Committees of Accounting Bodies (CCAB) i.e. ACCA, CIPFA, ICAEW, ICAI, or ICAS or a European or International equivalent qualification.

Experience

• Extensive experience within a financial accounts team or in an audit practice.
• Sound understanding and proven experience of delivering value added financial reporting and annual accounts preparation.
• Proven expertise in IFRS 16 accounting standards, with expertise in lease and estates recognition, measurement, reporting, and forecasting.

Skills

• Strong technical accounting expertise with the ability to solve complex problems.
• Skilled in explaining and reporting complex financial matters clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of financial reporting frameworks and compliance requirements.

Knowledge

• Good knowledge of accounting and budgeting frameworks, including IFRS.
• Communicate clearly, concisely and confidently at senior management level.

Additional Information

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong knowledge and practical experience in IFRS 16 accounting standards, with expertise in lease and estates recognition, measurement, reporting, and forecasting.

What We Offer

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Family-friendly policies.
• Bespoke benefits platform and Blue Light Card access.
• Salary sacrifice options for cycles, home technology, gym membership, and electric vehicles.
• Access to the Transport Benevolent Fund for health, welfare, and financial support.
• Development opportunities, including fully funded apprenticeships.
• Excellent Pension scheme: BTP GPP Police Staff Pension Scheme, administered by Royal London, a defined contribution scheme with contributions 4.4% to 12% of salary. For more information, visit the Royal London dedicated pension page or email Pension-Queries@btp.police.uk.

Vetting

Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting (5 years minimum UK residency required), including a full background and financial disclosure. For more information and Top Tips, see attached document.

Medical and References

We’ll ask for relevant health and medical history details to support employee wellbeing. We’ll also ask for references to cover the past 5 years.

How To Apply

Applications will be via an up to date CV and online application form. As part of this application please outline how your skills and experience demonstrate your suitability for the role. Completed applications must be submitted by 11.59pm, 18 December 2025.

Inclusion & Diversity

At BTP, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued. We believe diversity drives innovation and better decision-making. Our roles are open to everyone, and we encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including Black, Asian, and minority ethnic candidates, women, LGBTQI+ individuals, people with disabilities, and those who are neurodiverse. As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Scheme’ – all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview. For more information on Inclusion or the \”Disability Confident Scheme\”, click the links Inclusion & Diversity Disability Confident Scheme.

Join Us

Grow your career with us. We can’t wait to hear from you! See why BTP is right for you and click here for more information. For further information, please contact our Resourcing Team at RecruitmentTeam@btp.police.uk.