At a Glance
- Tasks: Support social housing operations by managing financial reporting and strategic planning.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to improving community living.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, healthcare support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible 2-3 days a week role with a focus on inclusion and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial performance while collaborating with diverse teams.
- Qualifications: Professional accountancy qualification or equivalent experience, plus advanced Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
About the role
You will 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 will 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 will 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, working 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
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.
Legal requirements
At Places for People we are committed to a safe working environment, so a basic DBS check is mandatory.
Benefits
- Competitive salary with regular annual review
- Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
- Bonus scheme for colleagues at 2%
- 35 days holiday (including bank holidays) 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 Colleague Awards
- Strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
- Free membership to Places Gyms
Accountant in Preston employer: Places for People
Places for People is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth, offering a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare support and a bonus scheme. Located in Preston, the collaborative work culture fosters engagement and inclusion, while ongoing training and development opportunities empower employees to advance their careers and make meaningful contributions to the organisation's social housing operations.
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 Places for People.
✨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 Places for People 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 Places for People 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 Places for People. 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 Places for People confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Places for People
✨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 Places for People.
✨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 Places for People 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.
