At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure financial data integrity and improve reporting processes using AI tools.
- Company: Join Inizio, a global leader in health solutions with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment that values diversity and supports career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Part qualified accountant or finance degree with relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
The Data Accountant is a 12 month fixed term contract role within the Record-to-Report (RTR) function of Global Finance Services (GFS). The role is based in Manchester. You will sit within the RTR function of GFS and is responsible for the integrity, quality and continuous improvement of financial data and controls across the GFS operating model. It is analytical and controls-focused. Combining hands-on finance operations knowledge with ownership of the GFS actuals reporting infrastructure, it also has a forward-looking responsibility to embed AI tools and data-driven working practices into GFS processes.
We are looking for a finance professional with RTR knowledge, a practical understanding of financial controls, and the technical capability to design and own a self-service reporting suite. You will bring hands-on experience of period-end close, SOX compliance and data analysis, combined with fluency in Power BI and AI tools. You will be comfortable operating across multiple entities and communicating findings to a CFO-facing audience.
Role Responsibilities
- Complete and report on SOX journal testing (RTR-2.6.1), document results and lead remediation of issues identified.
- Help maintain the GFS controls framework, including the CSA programme and control self-assessments.
- Monitor reconciliation completion and quality during month-end and report final status to GFS leadership; work in collaboration with Intelligent Enterprises to ensure ARCS master data is accurate and reconciliation automation is optimised.
- Identify and escalate data integrity issues, including those originating in supplier or customer master data, that affect financial reporting accuracy.
- Support internal and external audit with clean, well-documented data extracts and process evidence.
Variance Reporting and Analytics
- Develop and ongoing ownership of the GFS actuals variance reporting suite covering monthly and quarterly cycles across the P&L and Balance Sheet.
- Develop monthly P&L reporting packs covering month-on-month actuals movements by cost centre and GFS process tower (RTR, PTP, OTC), with exception commentary frameworks to support accountant review.
- Develop monthly Balance Sheet packs covering month-on-month movements by entity, with ageing analysis and reconciliation status where relevant.
- Develop quarterly packs covering quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year P&L and Balance Sheet movements, with trend analysis and narrative support for GFS leadership reporting.
- Build all reports to be self-refreshing or one-click refreshable by GFS accountants using Power BI, Power Query or equivalent.
- Produce clear data dictionaries and refresh guides so accountants can operate, interpret and present packs without technical support.
- Lead the underlying data model: ensure source data connections from Oracle Fusion and Maconomy are stable, documented and version-controlled.
- Set and enforce data standards for the reporting suite: naming conventions, hierarchy understanding, currency treatment and intercompany eliminations.
- Iterate packs in response to business change: new entities, restructuring, changes to the GFS operating model or chart of accounts.
- Develop exception and threshold alerting within the reporting suite to flag material movements automatically.
GFS Performance Reporting
- Develop and maintain GFS operational KPI dashboards covering reconciliation completion rates, SLA performance, open items ageing and process tower throughput.
- Track and report on GFS optimisation and improvement initiatives.
- Use SQL and AI-assisted tools to interrogate financial data sets, surface anomalies and support ad hoc analysis requests from GFS leadership.
- Maintain SOPs and process maps for all reporting outputs owned by this role.
Continuous Improvement
- Help design and implement automation and process improvement initiatives across GFS.
- Contribute to the adoption of AI tools in daily finance operations, identifying use cases and supporting change.
- Manage ServiceNow task queues during month-end to guide efficient execution across the team.
- Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within GFS.
Cross-functional Working
- Work with the Master Data Lead on data quality issues at the intersection of financial controls and master data.
- Partner with divisional finance teams to resolve data queries and communicate process changes.
What Do You Bring to the Role?
- Part qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or a finance degree with practical experience.
- Experience with Record-to-Report processes and financial controls in a shared services environment.
- Hands-on experience with P&L and Balance Sheet variance analysis and period-end close processes.
- Familiarity with SOX requirements and reconciliation governance.
- Experience with Oracle Fusion or Maconomy; broader ERP experience (SAP, Workday, Dynamics 365) also relevant.
- Proficiency in Power BI, Tableau, Qlik or equivalent, including data model design and building self-service reports for non-technical users.
- Advanced Excel: Power Query, Pivot Tables and complex formulas.
- SQL skills sufficient to query and interrogate financial data sets independently.
- AI data fluency: practical use of AI tools to accelerate analysis, automate routine tasks and improve data quality.
Technical / Functional / Behavioural
- Understanding of RTR close processes, control frameworks and audit requirements.
- Develop self-service reporting infrastructure that non-technical finance users can utilise.
- Practical, working fluency with AI tools applied to finance tasks.
- Sound judgement about when AI output requires human review, in a controls environment where accuracy is non-negotiable.
- Experience with automation tooling is advantageous.
- Familiarity with master data structures, including supplier and customer records, and their impact on financial integrity.
Data Accountant (12month FTC) in Manchester employer: Inizio
At Inizio, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Manchester that fosters inclusivity and values individual growth. Our commitment to employee development is reflected in our supportive culture, where you are encouraged to explore your potential and embrace innovative practices, including the integration of AI tools in finance operations. Join us to be part of a global team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in health and life sciences, while enjoying opportunities for professional advancement and collaboration with industry leaders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Accountant (12month FTC) in Manchester
✨Join Financial Networking Events
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We think you need these skills to ace Data Accountant (12month FTC) in Manchester
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 Inizio 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 Inizio. 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 Inizio confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Inizio
✨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 Inizio.
✨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 Inizio 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.
