Financial Accountant - Payroll & Technical Accounting
Global Retail | Fast-Paced Retail Business
Hybrid West London - 2 - 3 days in office
6-Month Contract
Day Rate Umbrella PAYE: £250 - £300
The Opportunity
We are working with a well-established and Global retail business who are 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.
You will ideally have:
Proven experience within a Financial Accountant / Management Accountant / similar technical accounting role
Strong experience across month-end, journals, accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations
Good hands-on payroll accounting experience, this is an important part of the role
Experience reconciling payroll to the general ledger and investigating discrepancies
A good understanding of PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and payroll-related accounting
Strong bank and balance sheet reconciliation skills
Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach
The ability to investigate issues rather than simply identify them
Confidence working to tight deadlines in a busy Finance environment
Strong Excel skills and good experience working with finance systems
A proactive, practical approach and the confidence to take ownership
Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with Finance, Payroll, HR and wider business stakeholders
Experience within Audit, retail, hospitality, FMCG or another high-volume environment would be advantageous.
The Opportunity
This is a great opportunity for an experienced Financial Accountant to join a well-known, fast-paced business where you will have genuine responsibility across the Finance function.
If you are someone who enjoys technical accounting, getting into the detail and making sure things are right, and you have strong payroll accounting experience, we'd love to hear from you.
Initial 6-month contract.
BH37594
