Head of Technical Accounting in City of Westminster

Responsibilities

• Lead technical accounting assessments and structuring for new transactions, products, significant contracts, and other business initiatives, ensuring effective control processes are in place to address associated risks.
• Ensure finance systems and processes are properly set up to support the operationalisation and implementation of new activities such as products, partnerships, and transactions.
• Take ownership and lead the delivery of the annual report, managing external parties and internal stakeholder inputs, and drive future automation of this process.
• Prepare management judgement papers on accounting matters for the Bank Audit Committee and, on occasion, attend these meetings to present papers.
• Take ownership of accounting policy development, horizon scanning and implementation including managing the accounting manual and other relevant finance policies.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest industry developments in financial and corporate reporting by attending workshops and roundtables, representing Zopa's interests.
• Provide expert guidance and advice on the application of accounting policies across the business.
• Lead the approach to ESG and sustainability reporting, keeping pace with evolving disclosure requirements.
• Manage and oversee the work of the Technical Accounting team, including coordinating tasks and supervising the Technical Accounting Specialist, and develop a forward view of this function.
• Lead external auditor engagements on all technical accounting matters.
• Be a key participant and contributor to the Senior Managers Group within Finance, influencing and building relationships across the wider Finance function.

Qualifications

• You are a qualified accountant with extensive post qualification experience.
• Experience of working in the Financial Services sector (preferably retail banking or consumer finance), or have trained with a top accountancy firm with financial services experience within a technical accounting role.
• You are comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment.
• You work independently, assume responsibility and make your own judgments.
• You'll be ready to take ownership of complex new areas and solve problems with minimal guidance.
• You are a team player with collaborative and influencing skills.
• You'll be able to partner with internal and external stakeholders and have strong communication skills.
• Able to demonstrate a questioning mindset and be able to drive operational changes to systems and processes as we scale.
• You are curious about AI and how you can deploy this in your everyday work.
• Finally, you'll be energetic, motivated, and have a passion for excellence and innovation in pursuit of success.

Bonus Points

• You’ll have strong technical knowledge of IFRS 9 (expected credit losses, EIR, hedge accounting), IAS 39 (hedge accounting), IAS 38 (Intangible assets), IAS 36 (Impairment of assets), IFRS 2 (Share based payments), IFRS 3 (Business Combination).
• You’ll have an understanding of the regulatory reporting requirements for banks.
• Ideally, an understanding of UK taxes and an appetite to learn more.

Working Arrangement & Benefits

At Zopa we value flexible ways of working. We value face‑to‑face collaboration and a good work‑life balance. This hybrid role requires you to come to our London office 2–3 days a week. You'll also have the option of working from abroad for up to 120 days a year! But no matter where you are, we'll make sure you've got everything you need to thrive, both in your work and home life, from day one. Subject to having the right to work in the country of choice.

Diversity Statement

Zopa is proud to offer a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds leads to better products for our customers and a unique company culture for our people. We are made up of nearly 50 nationalities, have a DE&I forum made up of Zopians wanting to make a difference and we are proud of our culture where everyone can bring their full self to work. Our approach to DE&I is reflected in our hiring process so please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.