Project Accountant

Retirement Villages Group is looking for a Project Accountant to join our Finance team, based in our London office, on a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the potential to become permanent.

This is an interim role focused on driving and delivering financial improvement projects across the business. You’ll help identify opportunities to improve processes, create efficiencies and strengthen the way we work across all key areas of Finance.

As project accountant you will work closely with team members in all areas of the Finance and the IT team supporting them in driving change in Management Reporting, Balance Sheet Control, Statutory Reporting (including compliance with accounting standards) and potentially in Tax depending on experience.

The team has recently migrated onto a new ERP and property management system so the ability to manipulate data and ensure accuracy will be vital in this role whilst also challenging the way things are done to make the most of the system.

Key Responsibilities:

A range of projects have been identified that need focus to improve both efficiency and effectiveness of various financial controls and reporting. Projects to be delivered in the coming months include:

• Design and establish regular balance sheet reconciliation, reporting, review and controls. Rolling out new processes to the management accounts team and supervising the team whilst process is established.

• Support year end and audit with:

• Key technical accounting analyses, policies and memos
• Preparing statutory accounts and workbooks for auditors

• Analyse historic VAT exposures and design and implement rigorous controls to mitigate risk going forward.
• Inter-company recharge process automation.
• ERP system improvements including:

• Improve robustness of integration and checks with P2P system
• Implement more robust and timely non-recoverable VAT process
• Scheduling system roll out
• Identify and improve other system inefficiencies.

• Develop and document accounting policies and standing operating procedures Migration of old accounting system onto cloud database.
• Help drive a speedier month end process, identifying inefficient processes and supporting implementation of new processes.
• Group restructuring including cleansing historic dormant companies, disposal of non-core operations.
• Transition to new lease standard.

 What are we looking for in the successful candidate?

• Good knowledge of Excel and Microsoft Office package
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills with an attention to detail
• Ability to consistently produce accurate results to deadlines without the need for continued supervision.
• Process improvements to drive efficiency in month end reporting, balance sheet control or transactional tax
• Excellent communication skills – customer focused attitude, ability to cope with high volumes and peak periods.

 Experience desirable for the role:

• Knowledge of MRI PMX or equivalent best practice property management accounting software
• Experience with implementing new core business platforms and running multi-entity applications
• Financial accounting experience.
• Knowledge of VAT rules and their application to property industry.
• MS Power Automate experience.

Professional Qualifications:

• Qualified ACA / ACCA / CIMA accountant

In return we offer a number of benefits that include Private Medical Insurance, Medicash, Life Assurance, Pension Scheme, Birthday Off, Volunteering Days plus much more!

If you are interested please apply below!