At a Glance
- Tasks: Validate and certify balance sheets while collaborating with finance teams.
- Company: Join a dynamic finance environment focused on process improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working arrangements, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on transformative finance projects and develop your career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a complex finance function and enhance your accounting skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in balance sheet reconciliation and payroll.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Our client is seeking a Management Accountant - Payroll for a contract opportunity within a complex finance environment. The role will focus on assessing, validating and certifying the integrity of balance sheet and control accounts across multiple entities, supporting audit readiness, control remediation and sustainable process improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct structured reviews of balance sheet and control accounts against established reconciliation policies
- Assess account completeness, accuracy, supporting evidence, reconciling items and outstanding balances
- Reconstruct account history, where required, to identify root causes, historical inaccuracies and potential misstatements
- Investigate unsupported balances and aged reconciling items by tracing general ledger postings back to source data
- Work collaboratively with local payroll, finance, shared services and external finance teams to resolve variances
- Oversee corrective actions and verify that balances are accurate, complete, supported and policy compliant
- Prepare formal account health reports, balance sheet certification packs and audit-ready supporting documentation
- Drive standardisation through reconciliation tools, payroll-focused account guidelines, review timetables and clear escalation processes
Key Deliverables:
- Documented historical balance sheet reviews covering up to three years of activity
- Account health assessments for all relevant and material balance sheet accounts
- Fully reconciled and cleared material control accounts
- Formal balance sheet certification packs suitable for audit and due diligence review
- Reduction of aged and unsupported balances
- A sustainable, standardised reconciliation and certification framework
Job Requirements:
- Qualified accountant with ACA, ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent professional qualification
- Strong experience in balance sheet reconciliation, account review and control account investigation
- Experience of month-end close within a complex or multi-entity finance environment
- Proven ability to investigate historical accounting issues and work with incomplete or poor-quality data
- Understanding of payroll accounting, payroll reconciliations and related finance controls
- Experience supporting audit, financial due diligence, control remediation or transformation programmes is desirable
- Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail and the ability to deal effectively with ambiguity
- Demonstrable perseverance, adaptability and a clear drive for results
Performance Measures:
- Validated historical accounts and completed balance sheet reviews
- Reduction in aged reconciling items and elimination of unsupported balances
- Accuracy and completeness of balance sheet certification documentation
- Timely completion of monthly reconciliations and sign-off
- Reduction in audit findings relating to balance sheet accounts and financial controls
If you are a qualified Management Accountant with strong balance sheet, payroll reconciliation and control account experience, this contract opportunity offers the chance to make a significant impact across a complex finance function.
Management Accountant - Payroll in Bristol employer: Matchtech Group
Matchtech is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a strong focus on the rail sector in Winnersh, employees benefit from comprehensive support, flexible working options, and exciting team incentives, all while contributing to significant infrastructure developments in Ireland. Join a dedicated team where your contributions are valued, and you can thrive in a dynamic environment that fosters both personal and career advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Management Accountant - Payroll in Bristol
✨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 Matchtech Group.
✨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 Matchtech Group 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 Management Accountant - Payroll in Bristol
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 Matchtech Group 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 Matchtech Group. 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 Matchtech Group confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Matchtech Group
✨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 Matchtech Group.
✨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 Matchtech Group 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.
