At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Financial Accountant and support our finance team in delivering top-notch services.
- Company: The AA, a trusted UK brand offering diverse services beyond roadside assistance.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension contributions, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse culture with a focus on personal growth and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while working with a supportive and innovative team.
- Qualifications: Part-qualified accountant with strong technical knowledge and excellent communication skills.
Location: Basingstoke - Hybrid - Three Days in Office
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours: Monday-Friday
As a Financial Accountant, you’ll play a key role in delivering a high-quality, professional finance and accounting service across the AA Group, working closely with the wider Insurance Finance team. Supporting the Financial Controller, you’ll get involved in a broad range of activities, including management accounting, financial reporting, financial control and technical accounting. You’ll help ensure strong governance and accountability, while maintaining the accuracy and integrity of our Insurance accounts.
You’ll also play an important part in strengthening our financial controls, supporting existing systems and helping to embed effective controls as new systems are introduced. It’s a varied role where you’ll have the opportunity to make an impact and help shape how we work.
- Supporting the month-end process for the Insurance Division, ensuring accurate and timely financial and KPI reporting that meets internal and external deadlines.
- Preparing monthly financial reports, including analysis and insightful commentary across financial performance, KPIs, balance sheet and cash flow.
- Maintaining the accuracy and integrity of financial records, accounts and processes, ensuring appropriate accounting standards, governance and controls are consistently applied.
- Reviewing balance sheet reconciliations, identifying and resolving issues and ensuring appropriate action is taken where required.
- Partnering with Commercial Finance teams and the wider business to understand performance, challenge results and provide meaningful financial insight.
- Supporting the Insurance Division’s financial control framework, including strengthening controls across existing and new systems.
- Producing regulatory returns, including Retail Mediation Activities Returns (RMAR) and Product Sales Data (PSD) returns for the FCA, alongside other regulatory requirements.
- Contributing to forecasts, budgets and five-year plans, including maintaining accurate information within planning and consolidation systems.
- Driving continuous improvement across financial processes and reporting, identifying opportunities to automate, standardise and simplify ways of working.
- Collaborating with external advisers, auditors and colleagues across Insurance and Group Finance, supporting year-end and interim audits as well as wider projects.
Qualifications:
- Part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), with good progress towards completing your qualification.
- Strong technical accounting knowledge with the ability to apply it confidently in a commercial environment.
- Confident communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to produce clear and effective financial reports.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, with confidence working with financial data.
- Practical experience of finance systems such as SAP, BPC or Trintech, alongside strong general IT skills.
- Good understanding of process improvement, automation or finance transformation initiatives.
- Relevant experience gained within an accountancy practice or similarly fast-paced finance environment.
Benefits:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme
- Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution
- Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends
- Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
- Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more
- Company funded life assurance
- Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career
- Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family
The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.
As part of the onboarding process, we complete several pre-employment checks including work reference, credit and criminal record checks.
Locations
Accountant in Opleiding in Basingstoke, Hampshire employer: The AA
The AA is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of London where innovation meets tradition. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, annual bonuses, and a range of perks, all while having the opportunity to lead a dynamic legal team and influence key business decisions. With a strong focus on professional development and a commitment to fostering a collaborative environment, the AA empowers its staff to thrive and grow within their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Accountant in Opleiding in Basingstoke, Hampshire
✨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 The AA. 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 Accountant in Opleiding in Basingstoke, Hampshire
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 The AA.
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 The AA'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 The AA
✨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 The AA.
✨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 The AA 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 The AA 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.
