At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage payroll accounting and ensure accurate financial reporting in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Join a global retail leader with a fast-paced and collaborative finance team.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with potential for contract extension and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make an impact by ensuring financial accuracy and supporting a thriving retail business.
- Qualifications: Experience in financial accounting and strong attention to detail required.
A well-established and global retail business is looking for a Financial Accountant to join their Finance team on an initial 6-month contract. This is a hands-on role within a busy Finance function, ideal for someone who enjoys getting into the detail, taking ownership and ensuring the numbers are accurate, well controlled and delivered on time.
A key part of the role will be payroll accounting, alongside broader financial accounting and month-end responsibilities. You'll need to be comfortable working with payroll data, understanding the accounting behind it and ensuring payroll-related balances are accurately reflected within the ledger.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Taking ownership of key areas of the month-end close, ensuring deadlines are met and financial information is accurate.
- Preparing and posting journals, accruals, prepayments and other month-end adjustments.
- Completing detailed balance sheet reconciliations and investigating and resolving outstanding items.
- Taking ownership of payroll accounting, including payroll journals and reconciliation of payroll-related control accounts.
- Reconciling payroll reports back to the general ledger and investigating any discrepancies.
- Accounting for PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and other payroll-related balances.
- Supporting the review and reconciliation of payroll accruals, payments and associated balance sheet accounts.
- Working closely with Payroll, HR and Finance to resolve queries and ensure payroll is accurately reflected in the accounts.
- Supporting the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reporting.
- Investigating variances and unusual movements, getting to the root cause and following issues through to resolution.
- Supporting cashbook and bank reconciliations where required.
- Ensuring strong financial controls are maintained across the Finance function.
- Supporting audit requirements and providing accurate supporting information when required.
- Identifying opportunities to improve processes, controls and ways of working.
- Working collaboratively with the wider Finance team and getting involved wherever needed.
About You:
We're looking for a hands-on Financial Accountant who is technically strong, detail-focused and comfortable taking ownership in a fast-paced environment.
Financial Accountant employer: Zachary Daniels
Zachary Daniels is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Greater London where innovation and creativity thrive. As the Head of Buying & Growth Strategy, you will enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, and a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, alongside ample opportunities for professional growth and development within a rapidly expanding consumer business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Accountant
✨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 Zachary Daniels.
✨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 Zachary Daniels 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 Financial Accountant
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 Zachary Daniels 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 Zachary Daniels. 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 Zachary Daniels confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zachary Daniels
✨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 Zachary Daniels.
✨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 Zachary Daniels 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.
