DESCRIPTION

As a Group Accountant at Benchmark, you will play a key role in ensuring the financial integrity, accuracy and compliance of multiple entities within our group structure. Reporting to the senior finance team, you will take ownership for the timely production of monthly management accounts, support quarterly Board reporting, and contribute to group-wide financial projects and consolidations as part of the Schroders Group.
This pivotal position will see you preparing financial statements in accordance with UK-Adopted International Accounting Standards and UK GAAP, as well as managing balance sheet reconciliations, leading audit readiness, and supporting tax compliance activities.
You will collaborate with colleagues across departments and business units to implement process improvements, drive efficiencies, and support the achievement of business unit objectives. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant, highly proficient in accounting software, with a solid understanding of the full end-to-end accounting cycle, and bring a proactive, analytical approach to their work.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERTISE

• Qualified Accountant (newly qualified applicants welcome)
• Proficient in accounting software and highly IT literate
• Experience of the full end-to-end accounting cycle
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Broad knowledge of accounting principles, including UK GAAP (FRS 102) and IFRS
• Exposure to the production of financial statements, statutory returns and/or audit processes
• Experience in the financial services industry is desirable, but not essential

• Produce monthly management accounts for several Group subsidiaries, including full month-end processing and review to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Prepare quarterly Board report information
• Prepare and post nominal journals, manage fixed asset registers, accruals and prepayments, and oversee supporting audit files
• Supervise and review the work of team members involved in these areas
• Assist in the production of consolidated management accounts and the integration of results into Group (Schroders) accounts
• Create, manage and reconcile comprehensive and auditable balance sheets for Group entities
• Support the planning and management of the annual audit process
• Assist in preparing Group financial statements in line with UK-Adopted International Accounting Standards and UK GAAP
• Collaborate with the Group tax team to ensure timely completion and submission of tax returns (including VAT, Corporation Tax, PAYE Settlement Agreements, and P11Ds)
• Respond to complex or ad-hoc accounting queries to support business unit objectives
• Assist with Group accounting projects, such as new system implementation, improvements to management information reporting, and finance process reviews and enhancements