Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant

Full-Time 60000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Oliver James Associates

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial reporting, budgeting, and mentoring in a dynamic finance team.
  • Company: Established insurance organisation with a collaborative finance culture.
  • Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and long-term career development.
  • Other info: Join a team focused on continuous improvement and finance transformation.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while supporting junior team members.
  • Qualifications: Strong management accounting skills and experience with financial data.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.

Salary60000 - 65000Location London, UKContract Permanent Type Hybrid Industry Accountancy Contact Jess Baker Jess. Baker@oliverjames. com

Senior Management Accountant

Location: London (Hybrid, 2 days a week in office)Salary: 65000Type: Permanent An established insurance organisation is looking to appoint a Senior Management Accountant to join its finance team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced management accountant to take ownership of financial reporting, expense analysis, budgeting and forecasting within a complex finance environment, while supporting continuous improvement across finance processes.

The role offers a broad remit, combining management reporting, financial control and business partnering, with the opportunity to mentor junior members of the team and contribute to finance transformation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities Produce accurate and timely monthly management accounts and financial reports.

Lead the monthly expense reporting process, including detailed expense analysis, variance analysis and cost allocation.

Prepare budgets, forecasts and financial plans, providing insight into business performance and expenditure.

Perform balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring balances are fully understood, supported and accurately reported.

Support the monthly and quarterly financial close process, ensuring reporting deadlines are achieved.

Maintain the general ledger and complete bank reconciliations.

Prepare information for group reporting in line with reporting timetables.

Assist with statutory and regulatory reporting where required.

Support the finance controls framework by maintaining strong financial controls and ensuring compliance with internal policies.

Take ownership of finance data quality, identifying opportunities to improve reporting processes and system integrity.

Mentor and support junior members of the finance team, providing guidance on journals and day-to-day accounting activities.

Work closely with colleagues across different finance functions to deliver accurate and reliable reporting.

Support ad hoc finance projects and continuous process improvement initiatives.

About You You’ll be an experienced finance professional with strong management accounting skills and the confidence to work with large volumes of financial data.

You’ll ideally have: Experience producing monthly management accounts.

Strong experience in expense analysis, budgeting, forecasting and reconciliations.

A solid understanding of balance sheet accounting and financial controls.

Confidence investigating and explaining financial balances.

Strong Excel skills, including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP functions.

Experience using ERP or finance systems such as SAP or similar.

Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail.

The ability to prioritise workloads and meet reporting deadlines.

Previous insurance experience, or a good understanding of insurance finance, would be highly desirable.

Experience supporting data quality, financial reporting and process improvements.

The confidence to mentor and support junior members of the finance team.

What’s on Offer Hybrid working.

Opportunity to join a collaborative finance function.

Broad management accounting role with significant exposure to reporting, planning and finance projects.

Opportunity to mentor junior team members and contribute to process improvements.

Long-term career development within a well-established financial services organisation.

Senior Accountant employer: Oliver James Associates

At Oliver James Associates, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. Located in the vibrant city of Manchester, we offer competitive benefits, continuous professional development opportunities, and a supportive environment where your contributions are valued. Join us to be part of a dynamic team that is dedicated to driving impactful data solutions across various sectors.

Oliver James Associates

Contact Details:

Oliver James Associates Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Accountant

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.

Connect on Professional Platforms

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 Oliver James Associates. 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 Senior Accountant

Management Accounting
Financial Reporting
Expense Analysis
Budgeting
Forecasting
Balance Sheet Reconciliations
Financial Controls

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 Oliver James Associates.

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 Oliver James Associates'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 Oliver James Associates

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 Oliver James Associates.

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 Oliver James Associates 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 Oliver James Associates 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.