Finance Operations Accountant

About the Role

Level - 3
Department:
Finance

Location:

Southampton

Contract:

Permanent

This role focuses on managing and continually improving robust financial processes within a regulated FTSE organisation. Ensuring the integrity of the ledger and the accuracy of the trial balance is central, alongside supporting the wider compliance agenda. Working closely with Financial Controllers, you will provide meaningful insight and commentary on key spend areas while building strong, collaborative relationships across the finance function.

Reporting to the Business Unit Reconciliation Finance Manager, this role is key to the controlled and accurate delivery of the trial balance.

• Oversee and deliver monthly and quarterly financial processes for the Business Units, ensuring accuracy of the trial balance and completion within agreed deadlines.
• Review and reconcile balance sheet accounts for designated Business Units, ensuring all exceptions are identified, investigated, and resolved in a timely manner.
• Prepare and distribute monthly lead schedules, including clear and up‑to‑date commentary on the current balance sheet position.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes and outputs, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency across Finance Operations and the wider Finance function.
• Manage governance tools, ensuring appropriate evidence is maintained and all required controls and sign‑offs are completed.
• Provide leadership and support to team members through regular check‑ins, individual meetings, and team discussions, ensuring effective monitoring of progress and development.
• Assist in the preparation and provision of information required for external audits, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with the wider finance team, promoting best practices and consistent standards.
• Ensure all accounting and financial processes are fully documented and kept up to date, reflecting any changes in policy, regulation, or business requirements.

• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including ledger management, balance sheet reconciliations, and trial balance integrity.
• Proven ability to manage and improve financial processes, embedding efficiencies and best practice within a controlled environment.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to provide clear insight and meaningful commentary on financial performance and key spend areas.
• Effective stakeholder management, building strong working relationships across Finance, including Financial Controllers and wider teams.
• Good understanding of governance, risk, and control frameworks within a regulated environment.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non‑finance stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple deadlines, particularly during monthly and quarterly reporting cycles.
• Proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement of processes, controls, and outputs.
• Collaborative team player, with experience supporting and developing colleagues through regular engagement and feedback.
• Progressing towards, or holding, a professional accounting qualification is desirable.

We value diversity and strive to promote inclusivity in all aspects of our culture. We believe in equal opportunities for all, ensuring that no applicant encounters less favourable treatment based on anything but their skills, qualifications, experience, and potential. We celebrate the unique contributions of a diverse workforce and create a respectful, nurturing environment where every colleague can thrive.

• Holiday: 182 hours (26 days)
• Quilter Incentive Scheme:
  All employees are eligible to participate, to incentivise business performance and their contribution.
• Pension Scheme: A non‑contributory company pension scheme that can be boosted through personal contributions.
• Private Medical Insurance:
  Single cover as standard with options to increase cover to include your partner or children.
• Life Assurance: 4x your salary.
• Income Protection: 75% of salary, less state benefits, payable after 26 weeks of absence.
• Healthcare Cash Plan:
  Jersey employees only.