At a Glance
- Tasks: Support social housing operations and manage financial reporting for community-focused projects.
- Company: Join Places for People, the UK's leading Social Enterprise dedicated to thriving communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 35 days holiday, healthcare cashback, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing, and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that values people over numbers and fosters community spirit.
- Qualifications: Professional accountancy qualification or equivalent experience with advanced Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just who we’re looking for! Of course, experience and track record are important, but we’re more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That’s someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK’s leading Social Enterprise we’re dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving communities for both our customers and employees.
More about your role
You’ll play a key role in supporting the organisation’s social housing operations, managing financial reporting and strategic financial planning, in addition to supporting the planned investment programme and compliance. The role will focus on key areas to drive improvement by standardising and creating efficiencies in financial and compliance reporting. You’ll analyse financial and operational performance, identifying areas of underperformance and opportunities to drive improvement. Working closely with operational and finance teams across the business, you’ll develop meaningful KPI reporting, management & operational accounts, and forecasts that bring clarity to performance and future expectations.
You’ll also support strategic decision‑making including maintaining rolling forecasts, preparing monthly management accounts, reporting on risks, opportunities, cash flow and contributing to business planning. As part of a collaborative finance team, you’ll engage with stakeholders across the business and may also support and develop junior colleagues. This is an initial 6‑month fixed‑term contract based in Preston 2‑3 days a week.
Essential criteria
- Professional accountancy qualification (or part‑qualified / equivalent experience)
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills with the ability to analyse and interpret complex financial data
- Experience preparing management accounts, including journal postings, balance sheet reconciliations and variance analysis
- Experience contributing to financial forecasts and business planning processes
- Experience using financial insight to identify performance and process improvements or cost control opportunities
More about you
You’re a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys turning data into insight that drives better decisions. You’re confident working with stakeholders across different teams, helping them understand financial performance and influencing outcomes. You take a proactive and solutions‑focused approach, always looking for ways to improve processes, financial reporting and results.
You’re comfortable working with large data sets, building financial processes, models, business plans, forecasts, and balancing attention to detail with a broader strategic view. Ideally, you’ve worked in a business‑partnering environment and have experience supporting operational teams to improve financial performance and efficiency.
At Places for People we are committed to a safe working environment so a basic DBS check is mandatory.
Benefits
We are a large, diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for. We know that there’s always more we can do to make you smile, so we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:
- Competitive salary with regular annual review
- Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
- Bonus scheme for colleagues at 2%
- 35 days holiday (including bank holiday) with option to buy or sell days
- Healthcare cashback plan for everyday medical costs – up to £500 savings per year
- Access to wellbeing support such as counselling and flu jabs
- Private GP and health support services available
- Access to a rewards platform with retail and lifestyle discounts
- Savings on groceries, travel, shopping and home products
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Access to professional qualifications and career progression
- Internal development programmes and learning support
- Recognition schemes such as Star Awards and Colleagues Awards
- Strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
- Free membership to Places Gyms
Accountant in Preston employer: Leisure (Operations)
At Places for People, we prioritise people over numbers, fostering a vibrant work culture that champions community spirit and personal growth. As a leading Social Enterprise based in Preston, we offer a competitive salary, extensive benefits including 35 days of holiday, and a commitment to employee development through ongoing training and professional qualifications. Join us to be part of a collaborative finance team that values your contributions and supports your career progression in a meaningful and rewarding environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Accountant in Preston
✨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.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Leisure (Operations).
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Leisure (Operations) might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Accountant in Preston
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 Leisure (Operations) 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 Leisure (Operations). 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 Leisure (Operations) confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leisure (Operations)
✨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 Leisure (Operations).
✨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 Leisure (Operations) 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.
