At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Finance team to deliver high-quality financial reporting and compliance.
- Company: Hitachi Rail, a global leader in sustainable transport and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for continuous learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a complex, global organisation while developing your accounting expertise.
- Qualifications: ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with strong financial reporting experience.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Location: London, United Kingdom
Job ID: R0138774
Date Posted: 2026-08-11
Company Name: Hitachi Rail UK Limited
Profession (Job Category): Other
Job Schedule: Full time
Remote: No
About Us
A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into.
Job Description:
Employment: 2 year Fixed Term contract
Salary: Circa £55,000 DOE.
Working arrangements: Hybrid
Closing Date: 28th August 26
Planned Interview: W/C 14th September
Your new role
We're looking for a qualified Financial Accountant to join our Finance team on a 2 year FTC and play a key role in delivering high-quality financial reporting, statutory compliance and financial governance across our UK business. This is an excellent opportunity for an ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified accountant who thrives in a large, complex, global organisation and enjoys working across multiple stakeholders, functions and reporting lines. The role would particularly suit someone who has developed their career within a matrix environment and is comfortable navigating the pace, scale and governance requirements that come with an international business.
You'll be responsible for supporting key financial reporting activities, maintaining strong financial controls and ensuring compliance with both Group and statutory requirements. Working closely with finance teams and operational stakeholders across the organisation, you'll have the opportunity to influence processes, drive continuous improvement and contribute to the delivery of accurate and insightful financial information.
The role offers broad exposure across financial accounting, group reporting, statutory accounts, technical accounting, tax compliance and audit activities, making it an ideal opportunity for someone looking to further develop their expertise and build a long-term career within a leading global organisation at the forefront of innovation and sustainable transport.
Some key responsibilities:
- Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reporting packages for Group reporting, including reconciliations, disclosures and supporting analysis.
- Support the external audit process and assist with the preparation of statutory accounts.
- Manage financial accounting activities for overseas branch operations.
- Maintain the general ledger, ensuring financial transactions are accurately recorded and appropriately supported.
- Prepare and review accounting calculations and journals for complex accounting areas including IFRS 16 leases, provisions, accruals and hedge accounting.
- Support both direct and indirect tax compliance activities, working alongside external advisors.
- Analyse and calculate corporation tax for budgets, forecasts and actual reporting.
- Help ensure compliance with internal controls, financial governance processes and J-SOX requirements.
- Partner with finance teams and operational stakeholders to investigate and resolve reporting issues and variances.
- Support fixed asset accounting and maintain accurate asset records across operational sites.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of accounting policies, chart of accounts and financial processes.
- Support finance improvement initiatives and undertake project work as required.
About you
You'll be a technically strong accountant with a passion for accuracy, continuous improvement and delivering high-quality financial information to support business decision-making.
You'll bring:
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification, or equivalent significant financial accounting experience.
- Previous experience in a Financial Accountant or similar financial reporting role.
- Strong knowledge of accounting standards, financial reporting requirements and accounting controls.
- Advanced Excel skills and strong analytical capabilities.
- Experience working with ERP and reporting systems such as SAP, Hyperion or OneStream.
- Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- The ability to work effectively in a complex, matrix organisation and collaborate across diverse teams.
- A proactive mindset with a continuous improvement approach.
- Experience with SOX controls, manufacturing, engineering, rail, aerospace or long-term contract businesses would be advantageous, as would an understanding of Japanese business culture and working practices.
What we offer
We value the importance of all of our employees. If you join our fantastic organisation, you could be entitled to:
- Competitive salary
- Potential opportunity for annual performance-related bonus
- 25 days holiday
- Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
- Private medical insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Group Income Protection
- Group Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programme
We also offer additional benefits for you to choose from within a flexible benefits plan that can be tailored to suit your individual needs and lifestyle.
Join us and help create the future of sustainable transport while developing your career in a global organisation that values innovation, collaboration and continuous learning.
Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at Hitachi Rail Careers.
At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
We would be delighted if you would be one of our followers at Hitachi Rail LinkedIn.
Financial Accountant - 2 Year FTC in London employer: Hitachi
Hitachi is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, making it an ideal place for professionals passionate about quality management. With a strong commitment to employee development, the company offers numerous growth opportunities and supports work-life balance through its remote working model. Joining Hitachi means being part of a global team dedicated to excellence, where your contributions directly impact customer satisfaction and product quality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Accountant - 2 Year FTC in London
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
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We think you need these skills to ace Financial Accountant - 2 Year FTC in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Hitachi will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Hitachi. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Hitachi confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hitachi
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Hitachi.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Hitachi that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
