At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead balance sheet management and drive financial efficiency in a collaborative team.
- Company: Join Standard Life, a trusted retirement specialist with over 200 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of inclusivity and growth, with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial processes while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in financial services and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 62000 - 80000 £ per year.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Birmingham, Edinburgh, Telford or London offices - Hybrid, up to 3 days per week in the office
Flexible working: All roles are open to part-time, job-share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Closing Date: 27th July (23:55)
Salary and benefits: £62,000 - £80,000 per annum (dependant on experience) plus an indicative bonus range of 16% - 32%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.
Who are we? We’re Standard Life, a retirement specialist focused entirely on retirement savings and income. We champion the belief that everyone’s journey to and through retirement can be better, and for more than 200 years, we’ve been helping our customers plan and prepare for their financial futures.
The role: As a Balance Sheet Management Senior Accountant you will be a member of the extended leadership team, playing a key role in the new Standard Life Accounting Operations Centre, reporting directly into the Operational Reporting & Controls Manager. Your role will be to work collaboratively with your Manager and other Senior Accountants in your team to define the vision and strategy for the team, and then to implement that vision for your sub-team.
Key responsibilities:
- Full responsibility for monitoring and reporting on the health of the balance sheets for all legal entities within the group.
- Accountability for all general ledger reconciliations (policyholder, reinsurance, investments, expenses etc.), providing assurance that all balances are appropriately supported.
- Accelerate the production of balance sheet reconciliations via data cleanse, automation and use of workflow tooling.
- Review and improve key controls and control evidence relating to balance sheet management.
- Drive the centralisation of reconciliations into a single team, owning the e2e process for centralisation including gathering requirements, designing and implementing solutions, stakeholder management and business readiness.
- Designing and implementing new tooling under the banner of the AFTP programme which will enable automation of reconciliation processes.
- Delivery lead for the AFTP implementation, representing the Operational Reporting & Controls Manager and the Head of the Accounting Operations Centre in AFTP project forums.
- Ensuring that the AFTP solution design is as simple and cost effective as possible.
- Managing a variety of stakeholders (both internal and external) to source, interpret and challenge balance sheet reconciliation data and reporting.
- Design and implementation of new dashboard and reporting outputs that will provide insights into the health of the balance sheet.
- Develop your team such that they become subject matter experts.
- Developing your new team to ensure that they have the capability to review and challenge large volumes of balance sheet related data.
What are we looking for?
- Fully qualified accountant with proven post-qualification experience in financial services.
- Strong understanding of operational accounting processes, financial reporting, and accounting standards (IFRS, Solvency II and UK GAAP).
- Experience delivering finance change initiatives while effectively managing BAU priorities.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret financial data, identify risks, and resolve root-cause issues.
- Knowledge of general ledger structures, reporting hierarchies, and financial data interrogation and reporting.
- Proven people leadership and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build strong relationships.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.
Senior Accountant in Telford employer: Standard Life plc
At Standard Life, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that values flexibility and personal growth. With competitive benefits including up to £105,000 salary, generous annual leave, and opportunities for career development, our London-based team thrives in an environment that encourages innovation and collaboration. Join us as a Principal Cloud Architect and be part of a company dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the retirement sector while enjoying a balanced work-life approach.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Accountant in Telford
✨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.
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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 Standard Life plc. 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 in Telford
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 Standard Life plc.
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 Standard Life plc'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 Standard Life plc
✨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 Standard Life plc.
✨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 Standard Life plc 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 Standard Life plc 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.
