Technical Accountant

As the Technical Accountant at South East Water, you are the subject matter expert on complex accounting issues. You will research, interpret, and apply complex accounting standards (IFRS and UK GAAP) to ensure regulatory compliance.

In this role, you will develop internal accounting policies and manage complex transactions. You will provide technical accounting advice under IFRS and UK GAAP to group companies, ensuring adherence to all relevant accounting standards, stock exchange regulations, and company law. You’ll be part of a small team that produces financial statements for the group consisting of eight companies. You’ll also act as the primary contact for external auditors on technical accounting issues, review accounting disclosures for technical accuracy, and implement new accounting standards across the organisation.

You will be required to keep up to date on changes to accounting standards and other relevant regulations, advising management on changes that may be required to financial reporting and associated processes and procedures. You will also be expected to become very familiar with Ofwat’s Regulatory Accounting Guidelines in order to advise on any differences in treatment.

Main responsibilities

• Research and apply IFRS/UK GAAP to new business initiatives and transactions, preparing technical accounting papers as appropriate including reviewing contracts and recommending proper revenue recognition and accounting treatment.
• Accounting policy – develop, document and maintain a comprehensive library of accounting policies to ensure consistency and technically accurate reporting.
• Prepare complex financial statements disclosures including footnotes and technical accounting papers for the external auditors to support the treatment of potentially contentious items.
• Audit management – the key contact for external auditors on technical accounting matters, responsible for dealing with and resolving such issues as part of the annual audit.
• Standard implementation - lead projects for the implementation of new accounting standards, researching the implications for the group, advising on options where permitted, and identifying changes to processes and procedures as necessary. Projects may involve working with representatives from outside Finance and also external advisers.
• Advise on differences between IFRS and Ofwat’s Regulatory Accounting Guidelines and the implications of any such differences to the company.
• Advise on systems and processes improvement, including in relation to new accounting standards, to improve financial reporting controls and workflows.
• Develop and maintain an advanced level of technical knowledge through appropriate research and training.
• Assist in other ad hoc projects as required.

You’ll need

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA) or ACCA/CIMA with demonstrated experience in a technical role.
• Excellent technical knowledge of international (IFRS) and UK (UK GAAP) financial reporting requirements.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and ability to communicate with all levels of management and colleagues, and to explain highly complex issues to non-finance stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills with the ability to plan work to meet strict deadlines.
• Commercial awareness and strategic thinking to align reporting processes with business objectives.
• Advanced Excel and experience with large-scale ERP systems.
• Proficiency in using accounting research databases to interpret emerging literature.
• Proven experience in audit, financial reporting or technical accounting roles dealing with organisations of a similar size or larger.
• Extensive experience in the preparation or audit of consolidated financial reports and accounts for organisations of a similar size or larger.
• Experience of liaising with auditors and of managing other external adviser relationships.
• Experience of companies with large annual capital spending programmes would be an advantage.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced MS Excel.

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

Compensation package up to £65,000 p.a. (dependent on experience)