Financial Accountant

Reports to: Financial Accounting Manager

Direct Reports: None

Why this role exists

At NTS, we believe in doing things the right way — for our people, our customers, and the future of our sector. This role is at the heart of making that happen. As our Financial Accountant, you’ll play a key part in ensuring our financial information is accurate, timely, and fully aligned with the high standards we set for ourselves. You’ll be working across all three NTS entities, supporting the Financial Accounting Manager, and helping the team deliver brilliant results. This is a role for someone who loves numbers, wants to make an impact, and enjoys being part of a collaborative, driven team.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll get stuck into a variety of tasks that keep our finance engine running smoothly. Your work will support our internal teams, external partners, and auditors — always with a focus on accuracy, insight, and continuous improvement.

Your key responsibilities:

• Helping to prepare monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements — including statutory accounts and NDA reporting.
• Supporting smooth, timely month‑end and year‑end closings.
• Assisting with year‑end audit activity, gathering and providing accurate data and documentation.
• Working with IFRS16 lease calculations and models, including depreciation, interest and payment schedules.
• Support monthly balance sheet reconciliations in line with reporting requirements and tackling any discrepancies and actions identified in review with the Financial Accounting Manager and Financial Controller.
• Acting as deputy in a reduced capacity for the Financial Accounting Manager when needed — including joining meetings with auditors.
• Preparing VAT returns and supporting other tax-related filings.
• Ensuring ONS returns are completed accurately and on time.
• Actively contributing to the finance transformation project and adopting new ways of working.
• Carrying out minimum control standard assessments (once the framework is finalised).
• Keeping company policy documents and your own LMS training up to date.
• Championing equality, diversity and inclusion, helping to foster a culture of respect where everyone thrives.
• Bringing our NTS cultural principles to life in everything you do: Freedom – creating space for people to perform. Helpfulness – supporting colleagues and customers with positivity. Drive – showing curiosity, confidence and innovation.

Who you’ll work with

You’ll build strong working relationships with:

• External auditors
• HMRC
• NDA
• Internal Audit
• NTS Finance colleagues
• Teams and individuals across NTS who rely on great financial insight

What you bring to the team

Qualifications

Essential:

• Fully qualified status from an approved accounting body - ie ACAM CIMA or ACCA

Experience

Year‑end audit support or management

Working effectively with people at all levels

Comfortable handling data and using Microsoft Excel

Desirable:

• Experience with Sage X3

Why NTS?

At NTS, our people are trusted to perform, supported to grow and encouraged to be curious and innovative. We create an environment where you’re given the freedom to do your job well, the support of a strong team, and the opportunity to help shape the future of safe and reliable rail operations.

The Kind of People We’re Looking For

We’re interested in who you are, not just what’s on your CV. You’re likely to thrive at NTS if you:

• Take ownership of your work and enjoy being trusted to deliver
• Are collaborative, approachable and naturally supportive of others
• Care about doing the right thing, in the right way
• Are curious and motivated to learn, improve and grow
• Communicate openly and act with integrity and respect

You don’t need to tick every box on day one — we value potential, attitude and alignment with our culture just as much as experience.

Benefits

• Buy / Sell annual leave
• Health shield
• Family friendly
• Bonus