At a Glance
- Tasks: Own the month-end process and provide critical financial insights to senior leadership.
- Company: Join a tech-driven insurance company empowering small businesses and communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work, competitive salary, private medical insurance, and generous leave options.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by modernising financial workflows and supporting small business dreams.
- Qualifications: ACA or ACCA/CIMA finalist with strong financial accounting knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
We insure small businesses and enable big dreams – not just for our customers, but for our people and communities too. With over 1,000,000 active insurance policies, we protect builders, bakers, landlords and more than 1,200 other trades. We’re a technology company as well as one that sells insurance. That means we build, we fail, we learn and we improve. Through our global social impact strategy, called 'The Big Dreams Project’, we're working to help 10,000 small businesses start or grow by 2030.
What Is the Opportunity? Join our Finance team in London as our Financial Reporting Accountant, stepping into the role of a true financial integrity champion. You will take ownership of our month-end process and establish a robust control environment to support our ongoing commercial growth, all while acting as a vital business partner providing critical insights directly to our Finance Director, CFO, Financial Controller, and our parent company, Travelers.
What makes this role different from other traditional accounting positions is the unique balance between technical depth and transformative impact. Instead of just maintaining existing workflows, you will actively modernise our accounting systems to eliminate operational complexity, deepen your exposure across diverse frameworks like IFRS and US GAAP, and completely own critical external relationships with regulators, tax advisors, and auditors.
As our Financial Reporting Accountant, you’ll:
- Master the month-end close: Calculate and post monthly journals while preparing accurate, fully supported balance sheet reconciliations across accruals, debtors, and tax.
- Deliver management insights: Prepare monthly management accounts and investigate variances to provide budget holders and wider teams with clear financial clarity.
- Manage regulatory compliance: Drive the delivery of multi-framework financial reporting across complex regulatory landscapes, completing submissions for HMRC, the FCA, ONS, quarter-end VAT, and annual PSA returns.
- Provide technical guidance: Offer clear IFRS advice to the broader finance team and prepare robust accounting judgement papers on evolving disclosure requirements.
- Strengthen audit and controls: Support internal and external audits, embed rigorous internal financial controls, and ensure compliance with SOX reporting standards.
- Act as a systems superuser: Utilise SAP ByDesign and Concur platforms for everyday journal postings, while leveraging Onestream for top-tier financial reporting.
We’re looking for someone who is:
- A credentialed professional: ACA or ACCA/CIMA finalist or fully qualified with a comprehensive understanding of core financial accounting principles.
- A technical framework expert: Equipped with practical knowledge of IFRS standards, exposure to US GAAP to support international reporting, and the ability to draft formal accounting judgement papers.
- An analytical problem-solver: Possessing a sharp numeric mindset with a proven history of navigating complex technical issues under tight deadlines.
- Control and process-focused: Capable of early detection of control weaknesses and confident in implementing modern process improvements to simplify workflows.
- An articulate communicator: Able to present clear, data-driven financial insights confidently to senior leadership and external institutional partners.
- Advanced with data and tools: Highly proficient with enterprise accounting software (such as SAP ByDesign and Concur) and Microsoft Office tools, specifically advanced Excel capabilities like complex formulae, lookups, and pivot tables.
We encourage people of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. We are committed to maintaining an inclusive, supportive place for you to be you and do your very best work.
By driving our financial integrity and modernising our workflows, you will ensure our operations remain robust and scalable, ultimately enabling us to power big dreams for small businesses. Apply today.
What are the benefits of working at Simply Business:
- We offer a great work-life balance where workloads are manageable and everyone has the flexibility to work hybrid.
- On top of the 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), we offer the option to buy five more days of holiday with your flexible benefits.
- Our flexible parental leave allows you to approach an important time how you want - with six months full pay to the primary caregiver and four weeks full pay if you're the secondary caregiver.
- Our life event leave is an extra days leave every two years for those big moments in your life like moving house or your birthday.
- Long-serving employees get a two week paid sabbatical after five years of service, then four weeks off after ten years of service.
- Private medical insurance through BUPA, that covers any pre-existing condition is a core benefit. Plus a health cash plan that covers your everyday medical expenses.
- We offer a competitive salary based on your experience and the current market, plus the potential to earn an annual bonus based on performance.
- Access to tools to support your personal development on our dedicated learning platform, as well as support for your mental health with access to counselling.
- We match what you put into your pension up to five per cent, and pass on a tax-free sum that's four times your basic salary with our life assurance policy, with the option to increase it to ten times through our flexible benefit scheme.
- Our salary sacrifice car scheme gives you the option to buy a brand new, fully insured, and maintained car for a convenient fixed monthly amount taken from your gross salary (after 6 months service).
- Our flexible benefits scheme gives you an allocated amount to use each year on benefits like critical illness cover, dental insurance, travel insurance, or a gym membership.
Ready to join us and drive our success as a high-performing team? Apply today.
Simply Business is committed to providing equality and opportunities for all employees and candidates considering a career with us. We offer a workplace where colleagues are treated with respect and dignity. We don’t (and won’t) discriminate either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, religion, belief, political opinion, disability, nationality, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation or relationship status at any stage of the hiring process or during the course of your employment.
Financial Reporting Accountant in London employer: Xbridge Limited
Simply Business is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees while fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture. With a strong focus on work-life balance, competitive benefits, and opportunities for personal growth, you will thrive in a supportive environment that encourages innovation and collaboration. Join us in our mission to empower small businesses and make a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Reporting Accountant in London
✨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 Xbridge Limited. 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.
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 Xbridge Limited.
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 Xbridge Limited'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 Xbridge Limited
✨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 Xbridge Limited.
✨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 Xbridge Limited 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 Xbridge Limited 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.