Senior Pension Fund Accountant
Location: Belfast
Employment Type: 13 Months Fixed Term Contract - Maternity
Grade: Senior Consultant
Hybrid
REQ003749
About XPS Group
XPS Group is a prominent and growing UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors. Our goal is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.
About the Role
We are looking for a professional, friendly, proactive and well-organised Senior Pension Fund Accountant to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for a fully qualified accountant, ideally ACCA, ACA or CIMA, with strong experience in pension fund accounts and a commitment to delivering high-quality client service.
In this role, you will take sole responsibility for your own portfolio of clients, ensuring that year-end pension fund accounts are prepared, reviewed and completed accurately within statutory deadlines. You will play a key role in maintaining high standards of financial reporting, managing priorities effectively, and building strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
You will work closely with colleagues and contacts across a number of UK locations, including Belfast, Middlesbrough, Edinburgh and Reading, so strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. While knowledge of the Aviary accounting system is not required, it would be a useful advantage.
This role would suit someone who is confident working independently, takes ownership of their workload, and is able to balance technical accounting expertise with a positive, approachable and team-focused attitude.
Key Responsibilities
- Promoting and adhering to the XPS workplace values.
- Preparing pension scheme Trustee Report & Accounts (large schemes with complex investments including derivatives).
- Reconciling investment transactions.
- Preparing all the necessary working papers & reconciliations of the financial statements.
- Liaising with auditors and investment managers.
- Preparing self-assessment tax returns (SA970).
- Preparing Office of National Statistics (ONS) returns
- Reconciling cash books and pensioner payrolls.
- Updating and reviewing procedures and templates used by the team.
- Reviewing other team members work & peer reviewing schemes ready for audit.
- Completing the year end accounts for new onboarded clients.
- Providing responses to clients or auditors on behalf of other team members, when they are away from the office.
- Providing expert advice to pensions accounts queries, keeping abreast of technical and legislative developments within the pensions accounts industry.
- Ensuring company policies and working procedures are implemented and adhered to by self.
- Forging strong working relationships with other teams in order to provide a total service to our clients. E.g. Administration, Payroll, Client Banking, Actuaries.
- Ensuring the accurate updating of time recording system (Virtual Office) for both chargeable and non-chargeable activities.
- Helping other members of the team with their workloads.
Your Profile
Essential
- Right to work in the UK.
- A proven accounting background gained within either an accounting practice or a third-party pension's provider. Experience should include a broad knowledge of accounting techniques including reconciliation, year-end processes etc.
- Previous Pensions Fund Accounting (PFA) experience is essential.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and Outlook
Desirable
- To have successfully attained a recognised accountancy qualification, e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, etc
- Experience of Profund Aviary would be of advantage.
- Excellent interpersonal abilities, able to forge strong working relationships with colleagues and clients.
- A client focused approach
- Flexible approach to work pressures.
- Continuing to augment technical pensions accounting knowledge as well as keeping abreast of legislative changes.
- A high degree of professional integrity.
What We Offer
- Enjoy a competitive salary, annual discretionary bonus, and 25 days' holiday with buy/sell flexibility.
- Benefits include pension matching, healthcare plans, life assurance, and retailer discounts.
- We support our team with a flexible benefits scheme, employee assistance, and digital GP service.
- Participating in volunteering events is encouraged with paid volunteer days available.
- Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS.
Equal Opportunities Statement
XPS Group is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure accessible and supportive work settings for all employees.
Eligibility
Any employment offer made will be conditional upon you satisfying DBS Disclosure checks, Employment or educational references, Satisfactory credit checks and eligibility to work in the UK before an offer can be made. XPS Group is not able to provide sponsorship to employees.
Who Are We
To find out more please visit: www.xpsgroup.com
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