At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform financial data into clear insights and drive process improvements.
- Company: Join Halfords, a leader in motoring and cycling innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, pension, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of finance transformation in a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with ERP experience and strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to work autonomously and engage with diverse stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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.
Financial Systems Accountant in London employer: Halfords
Contact Detail:
Halfords Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Systems Accountant in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance industry, especially those who work at Halfords or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical accounting knowledge and ERP systems. Be ready to discuss how you've improved processes in the past and how you can bring that expertise to Halfords.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your analytical skills! Bring examples of how you've turned complex data into clear insights. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the Halfords team.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Systems Accountant in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Financial Systems Accountant. 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 tell us why you're passionate about finance and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific examples of your work with automation and financial analysis.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role involves a lot of technical accounting, make sure to highlight your qualifications like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA. Also, mention your experience with AI tools and advanced Excel skills, as these are key for us in this position.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halfords
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Systems Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your technical accounting skills. Brush up on IFRS 15 and be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles in past roles. Prepare examples of balance sheet reconciliations and P&L management to showcase your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Tech Savvy
Halfords is looking for someone who can navigate ERP systems like SAP and utilise AI tools. Be prepared to talk about your experience with these technologies. Bring specific examples of how you've used data extraction and reporting to drive process improvements in your previous roles.
✨Be a Problem Solver
This role involves identifying and resolving system and process issues. Think of instances where you've tackled complex problems in finance or accounting. Highlight your analytical skills and your ability to implement effective solutions that have made a difference in your team or organisation.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
You'll need to communicate complex financial concepts to non-finance audiences. Practice explaining your past projects in simple terms. Show that you can build relationships and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders, as this will be key in your new role at Halfords.