Financial Accountant in Watford

Wickes are recruiting for a Newly Qualified Financial Accountant to join us on a permanent basis.

Role purpose: To be responsible for the accounting requirements within the Group Financial Control and Reporting team, with a focus on preparing accurate financial reporting and ensuring financial records comply with statutory regulations under both IFRS and FRS 102.

What you’ll be doing:

• Responsible for preparing period end financial accounting entries for areas including but not limited payroll, insurance, shared-based payments, cash flow and completing balance sheet reconciliations on a timely basis.
• Assist with robust financial control by maintaining the integrity of the General Ledger (GL) and overseeing the Group balance sheet completion process.
• Work collaboratively, supporting the Financial Reporting Manager in the preparation of external financial statements to meet tight reporting deadlines at period end, half year and year end.
• Key point of contact for external auditors during the annual group audit, providing schedules, evidence, and explanations where appropriate.
• Ownership of co-ordinating the internal Finance team with respect to the HY and YE audit process.
• Monitoring, reconciling, and eliminating intercompany transactions, balances, and investments during period end and year end close processes.
• Responsible for the timely and accurate submission of ONS surveys.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with other Finance teams and business stakeholders, providing accounting insights where required.
• Support the Financial Control and Reporting team with ad-hoc requests where required to help the smooth, efficient working of the Finance function.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA).
• Broad finance experience, including period end processes.
• Experience of reporting under IFRS.
• Preparation of financial statements.
• Proficiency in MS Office/Google with good Excel/Google Sheets skills.
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Financially literate.
• Analytical and problem solving skills.
• Team player/happy to help/can do attitude.
• Well organised with the ability to prioritise work.
• Hard working and proactive.
• An awareness of accounting topics impacting retail.
• Well organised, flexible, and able to operate in a fast paced environment.
• Capable of providing drive and bringing passion to the role.
• Practice background or relevant experience in a Group financial reporting function.
• Good presentation skills.
• Payroll accounting.
• Intercompany accounting.

What can we offer you?

You’ll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us. We also have an early careers network to support you if you’re in your first few years of your career.

Benefits package includes:

• Competitive bonus.
• Save-as-you-earn scheme.
• Private Medical and Life Assurance.
• Enhanced contributory pension scheme.
• Colleague discount.
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme.

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we’re proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support. By giving you the support you need to do well at work, and the flexibility to make life work for you, we are giving you a career that doesn’t put your life on hold. Where you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day.

About Us: Wickes is a multi-channel retailer operating in the home improvement market. With 50 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.6bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues. But it is our culture that is considered our best kept secret; it’s a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we’ll make you feel right at home.