At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver management accounting services and provide financial insights for strategic decisions.
- Company: Join L&Q, a leading housing association making a real social impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and lifestyle benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a commitment to diversity and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a difference in communities while advancing your accounting career.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant or finalist with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 49502 - 49502 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time, 35 hours
Salary: Salary starting from £49,502 per annum (Regional salary), dependant on experience
Grade: 10
Reporting Office: Manchester, Trafford
Working Location: Manchester, Trafford
Persona: Agile Worker: 20% - 40% of contractual hours to be worked from our office at Old Trafford
Closing Date: 9th July 2026
Interview Dates: 14th-21st July 2026
Benefits:
- Excellent pension plan (up to 6% double contribution)
- 28 days Annual Leave rising to 31 days with length of service + Bank Holidays
- Westfield Health Cash Plan
- Non‑contributory life assurance
- Up to 21 hours volunteering paid days
- Lifestyle benefits
- Employee Assistance Programme
- And many more.
Join our Financial Strategy, Planning & Performance Team at L&Q. Join L&Q and use your accounting expertise to have a real social impact—help drive the financial engine behind homes people can be proud of. We’re looking to build our team in North West and you’ll act as a trusted business partner, providing insight and analysis to support strategic decision‑making, while ensuring compliance with financial standards and governance requirements. This is a great opportunity to work collaboratively across the business and contribute to improving financial performance. You’ll report to the Finance Manager within the Financial Strategy, Planning & Performance team collaborating across Finance and with internal and external stakeholders to deliver L&Q’s strategic objectives. If this sounds like you, we would love for you to apply!
Your impact in the role:
- Deliver accurate management accounting services, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting for designated business areas.
- Act as a business partner, providing financial insight and analysis to support strategic decision‑making and operational performance.
- Prepare and review annual budgets, quarterly reports, and statutory returns, ensuring compliance with Financial Reporting Standards and governance requirements.
- Perform monthly reconciliations, maintain financial records and systems, and liaise with external auditors during audits.
- Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders to drive efficiency, value for money, and continuous improvement in financial processes.
Key relationships – Finance colleagues and internal stakeholders. Your work will ensure accurate reporting, compliance, and robust controls that support L&Q’s financial resilience and strategic goals.
What you’ll bring:
Essential:- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or finalist (qualified within the next 6 months). If you are a finalist, please specify which exams you have remaining and when you expect to become fully qualified.
- Proven and demonstrable business partnering experience, management reporting, interpretation of UK GAAP and IFRS and year‑end audits within a busy Finance team.
- Strong analytical and commercial acumen, with ability to produce budgets, forecasts, and interpret financial data for decision‑making.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills, including experience in business partnering and influencing stakeholders effectively.
- Advanced Excel skills and strong IT literacy, including proficiency in MS Office and business intelligence tools.
- Experience in a property business or housing association environment.
- Familiarity with Unit 4 systems (including FP&A).
If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage during this process, including application stage, please email lqcareers@lqgroup.org.uk.
About L&Q: We’re one of the UK’s leading housing associations and developers. We were founded on a simple belief: high quality housing is vital for people’s health, happiness and security. Everyone deserves a quality home that gives them the chance to live a better life. 250,000 people call our properties ‘home’, and we’re proud to serve diverse communities across London, the South East and North West of England. People are at the heart of our business and our success depends on employing the best people and getting the best from them. The foundation of everything that we are is built on our corporate values and behavioural framework, which outlines our core expectations and should be demonstrated at all times, and all levels, when representing L&Q. At L&Q, we know that diversity and inclusion make us stronger – and they’re the heart of everything we do. When we recruit, we look at what really matters: your skills, experience, and potential. We’re proud to be recognised for creating an inclusive workplace. We’re a Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) and we’ve introduced our own Recruitment Advocate scheme to make sure every step of our hiring process is fair, transparent, and consistent. It’s all part of our commitment to ending discrimination and making L&Q a place where everyone feels welcome. Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do. We recognise the responsibility we hold as one of the UK’s largest housing associations.
Accountant (Development & Sales) x2 - 7954 employer: L&Q
L&Q is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a competitive salary, generous benefits including an excellent pension plan and ample annual leave, as well as a commitment to diversity and inclusion, L&Q fosters an environment where employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in Manchester, this role provides the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated team, driving financial performance in a leading housing association.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Accountant (Development & Sales) x2 - 7954
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like L&Q. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Accountant (Development & Sales) x2 - 7954
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to L&Q.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on L&Q's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at L&Q
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with L&Q.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at L&Q will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former L&Q employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
