Financial Accountant

Financial Accountant
Salary: £38,000-40,000
6 months temp to perm Southeast London (Hybrid)

We're working with an exciting organisation within the arts and higher education sector to recruit a Financial Accountant to join its finance team. This is a varied, hands-on role offering the opportunity to take ownership of day-to-day financial operations, contribute to financial reporting and support the organisation's ongoing financial management. It's important that candidates have experience with payroll and partial exemption VAT and are happy to step into an initial 6-month contract.

The Role
Reporting to the Head of Finance, you'll play a key role in ensuring the smooth running of the finance function, maintaining strong financial controls and delivering accurate, timely financial information.
Key responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing month-end processes, balance sheet reconciliations and the resolution of outstanding queries.
• Managing sales invoicing and credit control, including working with commercial clients, donors and sponsors.
• Managing the fixed asset register and ensuring restricted funds are accurately reconciled.
• Preparing quarterly VAT returns, including working with partial exemption methodologies.
• Supporting the preparation of statutory accounts and coordinating the annual audit.
• Preparing monthly payroll and pensions, ensuring timely payments and compliance with HMRC reporting requirements.
• Producing financial reports for external regulatory bodies.
• Supporting monthly management accounts, forecasts, budget-holder reports and project reporting.
• Assisting with annual budgeting and ongoing financial performance monitoring.
• Contributing to the development of finance systems and the strengthening of internal controls.

About You

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA part qualified would be preferred
• Experience managing ledgers and completing balance sheet reconciliations.
• Experience preparing VAT returns; knowledge of partial exemption would be advantageous.
• Strong technical accounting skills and a good understanding of payroll and pensions.
• Advanced Excel and strong IT skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• A proactive, adaptable and professional approach, with a commitment to continuous development.

An interest in the arts and/or higher education would be beneficial.