Senior Pension Fund Accountant- FTC

Hybrid

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XPS Group is a prominent and growing UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors. Our goal is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.

We are looking for a professional, friendly, proactive and well‑organised Senior Pension Fund Accountant to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for a fully qualified accountant, ideally ACCA, ACA or CIMA, with strong experience in pension fund accounts and a commitment to delivering high‑quality client service.

In this role, you will take sole responsibility for your own portfolio of clients, ensuring that year‑end pension fund accounts are prepared, reviewed and completed accurately within statutory deadlines. You will play a key role in maintaining high standards of financial reporting, managing priorities effectively, and building strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

You will work closely with colleagues and contacts across a number of UK locations, including Belfast, Middlesbrough, Edinburgh and Reading, so strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. While knowledge of the Aviary accounting system is not required, it would be a useful advantage.

This role would suit someone who is confident working independently, takes ownership of their workload, and is able to balance technical accounting expertise with a positive, approachable and team‑focused attitude.

• Promoting and adhering to the XPS workplace values.
• Preparing pension scheme Trustee Report & Accounts (large schemes with complex investments including derivatives).
• Reconciling investment transactions.
• Preparing all the necessary working papers & reconciliations of the financial statements.
• Liaising with auditors and investment managers.
• Preparing self‑assessment tax returns (SA970).
• Preparing Office of National Statistics (ONS) returns
• Reconciling cash books and pensioner payrolls.
• Updating and reviewing procedures and templates used by the team.
• Reviewing other team members work & peer reviewing schemes ready for audit.
• Completing the year end accounts for new onboarded clients.
• Providing responses to clients or auditors on behalf of other team members, when they are away from the office.
• Providing expert advice to pensions accounts queries, keeping abreast of technical and legislative developments within the pensions accounts industry.
• Ensuring company policies and working procedures are implemented and adhered to by self.
• Forging strong working relationships with other teams in order to provide a total service to our clients.
  
  E.g. Administration, Payroll, Client Banking, Actuaries.
• Ensuring the accurate updating of time recording system (Virtual Office) for both chargeable and non‑chargeable activities.
• Helping other members of the team with their workloads.

• Right to work in the UK.
• A proven accounting background gained within either an accounting practice or a third‑party pension’s provider. Experience should include a broad knowledge of accounting techniques including reconciliation, year‑end processes etc.
• Previous Pensions Fund Accounting (PFA) experience is essential.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and Outlook

• To have successfully attained a recognised accountancy qualification, e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, etc
• Experience of Profund Aviary would be of advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal…