At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the finance team with year-end reporting and external audit activities.
- Company: Join a dynamic finance team in a leading organisation in London.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid work model, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact during a crucial financial period while enhancing your skills.
- Qualifications: Five years of finance experience and strong technical accounting knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 25.03 - 25.03 £ per hour.
Our Client is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Officer (Year End) to support the Finance team during the year-end reporting and external audit period. Reporting to the Financial Accountant, you will play a key role in preparing financial statements, supporting external audit activities, maintaining accurate financial records, and ensuring the timely completion of month-end and year-end accounting processes. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional with strong technical accounting knowledge, excellent analytical skills, and experience working in a fast-paced finance environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and maintain monthly balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving any discrepancies.
- Assist in maintaining the fixed asset register, ensuring depreciation, additions and disposals are accurately processed.
- Maintain accurate records of journal entries, including recurring journals and year-end adjustments.
- Calculate and reconcile inter-fund balances for regular settlements.
- Support the year-end close process by preparing audit working papers, schedules and supporting documentation.
- Assist with the preparation of financial statements.
- Respond promptly to external audit queries and provide supporting financial information.
- Ensure financial records are accurate and compliant with internal policies and accounting standards.
Treasury Management
- Assist with the preparation of daily liquidity reports.
- Support the preparation of cash flow forecasts.
- Monitor and reconcile UK and overseas bank accounts, ensuring reconciliations are completed accurately and approved on time.
- Assist with treasury-related financial activities as required.
General Responsibilities
- Identify potential financial risks and escalate issues with appropriate recommendations.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial policies, procedures and controls.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within the finance function.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across the wider Finance team.
- Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role as required.
Skills & Competencies
- Strong technical accounting knowledge.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel.
- Strong IT and financial systems skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Professional, proactive and adaptable approach to work.
Experience Required
- Minimum of five years' experience in a similar finance role.
- Experience preparing balance sheet reconciliations and supporting month-end close processes.
- Experience with fixed asset accounting.
- Experience supporting external audits and responding to audit queries.
- Experience with bank reconciliations, including foreign currency bank accounts.
- Experience working within multi-site and multi-currency environments is desirable.
- Working knowledge of IPSAS or IFRS is advantageous.
- Experience using CODA Financials or a similar ERP/accounting system.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
Qualifications
- Degree in Finance, Business Administration or a related discipline; or ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified or part-qualified, with active progression towards professional qualification.
Interim Finance Officer (Year End) in London employer: Step Ahead
Step Ahead is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London that fosters professional growth and development. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are encouraged to thrive in their roles while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model. The company values collaboration and continuous improvement, making it an ideal place for finance professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding employment during the year-end reporting period.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Finance Officer (Year End) in London
✨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 Step Ahead.
✨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 Step Ahead 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 Interim Finance Officer (Year End) in London
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 Step Ahead 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 Step Ahead. 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 Step Ahead confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Step Ahead
✨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 Step Ahead.
✨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 Step Ahead 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.
