Financial Accountant

Financial Accountant Salary: £350 - £450/day Location: London Keywords: qualified accountant, financial reporting, IFRS standards, audit preparation, tax compliance, Excel proficiency, team collaboration, system development

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Financial Accountant to join a highly respected financial institution based in London, serving as the headquarters for the CEMEA region. This role offers you the chance to work within a close-knit Finance team that plays a pivotal part in supporting a diverse range of corporate clients across sectors such as shipping, offshore, logistics, telecom media technology, and energy. You will be at the heart of financial control and reporting, contributing directly to regulatory submissions, internal performance analysis, and the ongoing development of robust financial systems. The organisation is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where your expertise will be valued and your professional growth encouraged.

• Gain exposure to complex financial operations including audit management, tax compliance, regulatory reporting, and process improvement initiatives.

What you'll do:

As a Financial Accountant, you will play an integral role in ensuring the integrity of financial data across all aspects of the organisation’s operations. Your day-to-day activities will involve preparing statutory accounts for subsidiaries, managing audits from start to finish, handling VAT returns and tax calculations with precision, and taking responsibility for essential compliance tasks such as SLAs and transfer pricing. You will also contribute to process improvements by streamlining workflows and supporting system enhancements. Collaboration is central to this role; you will work closely with both local colleagues and group-level teams to deliver high-quality financial information on time. Your ability to investigate issues within core systems will help maintain data quality while your input into forecasting will support informed business decisions. Success in this position requires not only technical expertise but also strong interpersonal skills. Your willingness to share knowledge and collaborate will be key in driving collective competence within the team.

• Prepare comprehensive financial statements for the UK subsidiary, ensuring accuracy and completeness while arranging and managing the annual audit process through effective liaison with internal teams and external auditors.
• Complete and submit quarterly VAT returns to HMRC in a timely manner, maintaining full compliance with all relevant regulations.
• Calculate monthly and quarterly tax provisions as well as corporation tax payments, ensuring all figures are accurate and deadlines are consistently met.
• Oversee the annual completion of corporation tax returns for both the London Branch and its subsidiary, coordinating closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure precision.
• Maintain ownership over Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and transfer pricing documentation, ensuring these critical frameworks are up-to-date and compliant with internal policies.
• Support process efficiency initiatives by identifying areas for improvement within existing workflows and implementing solutions that enhance overall productivity.
• Prepare detailed financial forecasts when required, providing valuable insights that support strategic decision-making across the business.
• Assist in the ongoing development of key internal controls and new financial systems as needed, contributing to the department’s commitment to continuous improvement.
• Investigate discrepancies or errors within core systems to improve data quality and reliability of reported information.
• Liaise regularly with Group Financial Reporting colleagues to ensure timely delivery of accurate information for consolidated reporting purposes.

What you bring:

To excel as a Financial Accountant in this setting, you will bring not only technical qualifications, but also practical experience gained from working in demanding finance environments. Your background should include hands-on involvement with statutory accounts preparation, audit processes, VAT submissions, tax computations, and regulatory reporting. A deep familiarity with IFRS standards is essential alongside advanced Excel capabilities that allow you to manipulate large volumes of data confidently. Beyond technical skills, your success will depend on your ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and your capacity for careful planning when juggling multiple priorities. You should be naturally attentive to detail yet able to appreciate how individual tasks fit into broader business objectives. Your collaborative spirit will shine through as you contribute positively within small teams while remaining open-minded about sharing knowledge or learning from others. Above all else, your commitment to delivering reliable results on time will underpin everything you do.

• Hold a recognised accounting qualification such as ACCA or ACA (or equivalent), demonstrating your technical expertise in accountancy principles.
• Ideally trained within a Big 4 firm or possess similar experience that reflects rigorous professional standards (desired but not essential).
• Demonstrate an excellent understanding of IFRS accounting standards with proven application in previous roles.
• Exhibit advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, enabling you to manage complex data sets efficiently and accurately.
• Bring 2-3 years’ post-qualification experience in financial reporting or a comparable function within a regulated environment.
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills that enable you to explain complex concepts clearly to both finance professionals and non-specialists alike.
• Showcase your ability to multi-task effectively while prioritising competing deadlines without compromising attention to detail or quality of output.
• Display conscientiousness in your approach, delivering consistently high standards of work even under pressure from tight deadlines.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills that foster positive relationships within your immediate team as well as across wider business functions.
• Embrace flexibility in your working style with a service-oriented mindset that supports both individual colleagues and broader organisational goals.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on this rewarding challenge as Financial Accountant in London’s vibrant finance sector, where your expertise can truly make an impact, we encourage you to apply now!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided; we look forward to receiving your application.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates