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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform financial data into clear insights and drive automation in a dynamic finance role.
- Company: Join Halfords, a leading retailer dedicated to motoring and cycling innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, employee discounts, and personal development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on finance transformation while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in process improvement and ERP systems.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with strong focus on wellbeing and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
About Us
At Halfords, our mission is to inspire and support a lifetime of motoring and cycling. As a specialist retailer, we lead the market through customer‑driven innovation and a distinct product range. We are dedicated to providing our customers with an integrated, unique, and convenient service experience, from e‑bike and electric vehicle servicing to on‑demand solutions. Our commitment is to foster customer loyalty by offering compelling reasons to keep coming back to our stores, ensuring a lifetime of motoring and cycling enjoyment.
The role
This is a rare opportunity to step into a finance role sitting at the intersection of accounting, systems and automation. Joining a finance function in transition, you’ll work on the core Retail business within a £1.7bn listed group, helping to shape how financial data is extracted, understood and used. This is not a traditional controls role; it’s about turning complex system outputs into clear insight for the wider finance team and senior stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Ownership of balance sheet reconciliations and key P&L lines within a time‑pressured reporting environment
- Support of finance transformation initiatives, including ERP implementation and systems change
- Preparation and posting of key technical accounting journals, including revenue recognition under IFRS 15
- Delivery of analytical reviews and deep dives into financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities
- Identification, design and implementation of process improvements, automation opportunities and control enhancements
- Investigation and resolution of system, process and automation issues at source
- Development of clear, repeatable financial outputs and reports for wider finance and senior stakeholders
- Collaboration with internal and external auditors during half‑year and year‑end cycles
- Ongoing engagement with stakeholders across Finance, Transformation and the wider Retail business
About You
- Proven experience delivering process improvement and automation within a finance or accounting function
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong technical accounting capability
- Demonstrable experience working with ERP systems (e.g. SAP), including data extraction, reporting and analysis
- Proven knowledge of using AI tools including Copilot
- Advanced Excel skills, with experience using data and analytics tools such as Power BI
- Strong understanding of revenue recognition and complex accounting treatments
- Ability to integrate data from multiple systems into clear, meaningful outputs
- Confident stakeholder manager, able to explain complex financial and system concepts to non‑finance audiences
- Comfortable working autonomously in a fast‑paced, evolving environment
- Detail‑focused, analytical and naturally curious, with a drive to improve how things are done
Reward & Benefits
A fair and competitive salary evaluated against market data, annual discretionary bonus scheme, pension, life assurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, a holiday buy and sell scheme and enhanced family leave. Commitment and dedication to your ongoing personal and professional development. We help you to own and grow your potential so you can be at your best in your current role and to support your future career aspirations. We offer hybrid working with a blend of working in our Support Centre and from home. You will have access to a wealth of employee discounts across the Halfords suite of products and services. Wellbeing and inclusion are at the heart of our colleague experience. We offer resources and ongoing support to enhance your wellbeing at work and active Colleague Networks supporting inclusion initiatives across Halfords.
At Halfords we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for our colleagues. We’re an equal opportunities employer and proud to welcome applications from all backgrounds and embrace diversity within our one Halfords Family. At Halfords, we operate a hybrid working policy with 2‑3 days on site at our Support Centre in Redditch, Worcestershire.
Financial Systems Accountant employer: Halfords
Contact Detail:
Halfords Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Systems Accountant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Halfords on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Halfords' mission and values. Show us how your skills in financial systems and automation align with our goals. We love candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've improved processes or tackled challenges in previous roles. We want to hear about your journey and how it can benefit our finance team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the Halfords family.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Systems Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Systems Accountant role. Highlight your experience with ERP systems and any process improvements you've implemented. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Halfords!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about finance and how you can contribute to our team. Don’t forget to mention your experience with automation and data analysis tools – we love that stuff!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: In your application, be sure to showcase your analytical skills and your ability to turn complex data into clear insights. We’re looking for someone who can help us make sense of financial performance, so give us examples of how you've done this in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to see all the details about the role and our company culture. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Systems Accountant, you’ll need to be on top of your game with numbers. Brush up on key financial concepts, especially around balance sheet reconciliations and P&L lines. Be ready to discuss how you've handled these in past roles, as well as any specific challenges you've faced.
✨Showcase Your Tech Savvy
Halfords is looking for someone who can navigate ERP systems like SAP and use data analytics tools such as Power BI. Make sure to prepare examples of how you've used these tools to improve processes or deliver insights. Highlight any experience with AI tools too, as this will set you apart!
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
This role involves working closely with various stakeholders. Think about times when you've had to explain complex financial concepts to non-finance audiences. Practise articulating these experiences clearly, as strong communication skills are essential for success in this position.
✨Emphasise Your Curiosity and Improvement Mindset
Halfords values detail-focused and naturally curious individuals. Be prepared to discuss how you've identified process improvements or automation opportunities in previous roles. Share specific examples that demonstrate your analytical skills and your drive to enhance efficiency.
