Senior Accountant (Commodity Trading)
Senior Accountant (Commodity Trading)

Senior Accountant (Commodity Trading)

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Centrica

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial accounting and reporting for commodity trading, ensuring accuracy and integrity.
  • Company: Centrica Energy is a dynamic trading arm focused on gas, power, and LNG markets.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with 3 days in the office and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Dive into the complexities of commodity trading while driving process improvements in a supportive team.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in energy markets and strong Excel skills required.
  • Other info: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract offering a chance to make a real impact.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Centrica Energy (CE) is the trading arm of Centrica. We trade gas, power, LNG and provide the route to market for our upstream and power generation operations.

We are looking for an Senior Accountant to own the financial accounting and reporting for the London Commodity Trading business as well as the valuation of commodities and foreign exchange positions within Centrica Energy and other parts of Centrica. The role provides a fantastic opportunity to understand the complexities of a commodity trading business across a wide range of trading strategies and books. This role would suit a qualified accountant with excellent Excel skills and a passion for continuous improvement.

This is a 12 month fixed term contract / secondment opportunity.

The role holder will lead one of the Financial Control sub-teams in developing financial accounting, reporting and related control processes whilst maintaining an effective system of internal control to ensure integrity and accuracy of financial reporting throughout a sustained period of change.

This is a London (close to Marble Arch) based role with 3 days per week being office based.

The Job role:

  • Own the financial accounting, reporting and related control processes for the valuation of commodities and foreign exchange positions within Centrica Energy and other parts of the Centrica Group

  • Transform and modernise Financial Control processes including identifying processes that could be transferred offshore and support development of interfaces between the ERP (SAP) and trading source systems (Endur/Falcon), ensuring integrity and accuracy of financial reporting throughout a sustained period of change

  • Support the completion of stats for all Centrica Energy Entities with reference to derivative and fair value disclosures and adjustments. This includes providing commentary for Legal Entity team / Group BPM / Group Tax and liaising with auditors on questions on these entities

  • Own the FX Reporting for the Centrica Group including monitoring and helping set up the accounting of FX hedges for other areas of Centrica, as well as monitoring the 3 CE FX books to ensure they are accounted for correctly in SAP

  • Own and develop the Month-End Financial Control accounting processes including:

    • Journal upload & ensuring data integrity in SAP

    • Monthly reporting review process for P&L, Cashflow and Balance Sheet with Finance stakeholders

    • Reporting of FX positions working with Treasury

    • FX Hedge Accounting for CE and other Centrica businesses

    • Commodity Hedge Accounting for CE books

    • Group reporting requirements at Year End and Half Year for: Derivatives & Hedge Accounting; Fair Value of Financial Instruments; Financial Risk Management; and Commitments.

  • Support delivery of Year End and Interim audits. Create and manage good relationships with the external auditors

  • Develop effective working relationships with Business Finance and Product Control to ensure trading is accurately represented in the external reporting.

The Person:

  • Qualified Accountant.

  • Experience of physical and financial energy markets and accounting for transactions in these markets

  • Experience of FX trading and accounting for FX transactions

  • Understanding of trading concepts covering long/short positions; forwards/futures/ options/swaps; realised/unrealised positions; bid-offer spreads

  • Understanding of accounting for IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement; derivatives; foreign currency transactions; revaluation; hedge accounting

  • Ability to process and interrogate large trade datasets (50,000+ rows) quickly through spreadsheet, Power Apps or other analysis tools

  • Experience with financial accounting and reporting systems e.g., SAP, BPC or similar systems

  • Ability to learn and understand commercial aspects and associated accounting for a variety of contract types

  • A process-focused individual with a passion for continuous improvement and ability to deliver change involving multiple stakeholders

  • A self-starter who can identify issues as they arise and resolve them with minimal involvement from manager

  • A team player who can collaborate with others as the need arises

  • Comfortable with ambiguity and calm under pressure with the ability to juggle and prioritise multiple deliverables with a high degree of self-management

  • Ability to present a complex subject in a clear and simple way.

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Senior Accountant (Commodity Trading) employer: Centrica

Centrica Energy is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, close to Marble Arch. As a Senior Accountant, you will not only lead financial accounting and reporting for our commodity trading business but also benefit from a culture that prioritises continuous improvement and professional growth. With opportunities to engage in complex trading strategies and a commitment to employee development, Centrica Energy stands out as a rewarding place to advance your career.
Centrica

Contact Detail:

Centrica Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Accountant (Commodity Trading)

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific financial accounting and reporting processes used in commodity trading. Understanding the nuances of how commodities and foreign exchange positions are valued will give you a significant edge during interviews.

✨Tip Number 2

Brush up on your Excel skills, especially in handling large datasets. Being able to quickly process and analyse trade data will not only help you in the role but also impress the hiring team during discussions.

✨Tip Number 3

Network with professionals in the commodity trading sector. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals, which can be incredibly beneficial when applying.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience with IFRS 9 and IFRS 13 during interviews. Being able to articulate your understanding of these standards and their application in real-world scenarios will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the position.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Accountant (Commodity Trading)

Qualified Accountant
Financial Accounting
Commodity Trading Knowledge
Foreign Exchange Accounting
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement
FX Hedge Accounting
Commodity Hedge Accounting
Experience with SAP
Data Analysis Skills
Excel Proficiency
Process Improvement
Stakeholder Management
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Strong Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications as an accountant, particularly your experience in commodity trading and financial markets. Emphasise your Excel skills and any relevant systems like SAP that you have worked with.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for continuous improvement and your understanding of the complexities of commodity trading. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage financial accounting and reporting processes.

Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on roles where you dealt with FX trading, hedge accounting, or financial reporting. Use quantifiable achievements to illustrate your impact in previous positions.

Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to IFRS 9 and 13, as well as your approach to managing large datasets. Be ready to discuss how you've improved processes in past roles and how you handle ambiguity and pressure.

How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica

✨Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a Senior Accountant in Commodity Trading, you'll need to demonstrate your proficiency in financial accounting and reporting systems like SAP. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Excel and how you've used it to process large datasets effectively.

✨Understand the Commodity Trading Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the complexities of commodity trading, including concepts like forwards, futures, and hedge accounting. Being able to articulate your understanding of these topics will show that you're well-prepared for the role.

✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement

Centrica Energy values a passion for continuous improvement. Share examples from your past experiences where you've identified inefficiencies and implemented changes that enhanced financial control processes or reporting accuracy.

✨Build Relationships and Communicate Effectively

Highlight your ability to develop strong working relationships with stakeholders, such as auditors and finance teams. Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated with others to ensure accurate external reporting and resolve issues.

Senior Accountant (Commodity Trading)
Centrica
Location: London
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