Lead Financial Accountant

Role Details

"Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Hybrid
Job Location - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution."

Job Purpose

We are pleased to be recruiting for the role of Lead Financial Accountant to join the United Utilities group's External Reporting function. This is a key role within the group's finance team and an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant with a desire to play an active part in shaping the financial reporting agenda of the water sector and more widely. The successful candidate will play an important part in producing the group's award winning Annual Report and Financial Statements in addition to a range of other accounting and reporting activities. This role would be well suited to an accountant who has recently qualified, or has a few years of post-qualified experience, and is looking to make a move from practice into industry with a FTSE100 company, or to someone wanting to gain experience in and make a meaningful contribution to the way in which financial information is reported to internal and external stakeholders.

Job Accountabilities

Reporting

• Effective and timely delivery of the group's external reporting requirements at half and full year ends to the highest quality standards, including the production of the group's accounts under IFRS for a listed company, and liaising with external auditors.
           
• Supporting the finance team's effective interaction with the group's Audit Committee throughout the financial year through the preparation of relevant accounting papers.
           
• Supporting the half and full year results announcement process through the timely preparation of the condensed financial statements and the provision of relevant and reliable financial information.
           
• Effective and timely delivery of the group's subsidiary financial statements in conjunction with the relevant subsidiary directors.
           
• Supporting the finance team's treasury accounting function through preparation of information relating to the group's treasury activities.
           
• Ensuring that the external financial reporting of the group and its subsidiaries complies with relevant accounting standards and legislative/regulatory requirements by keeping abreast of developments in these areas.

Advisory

• To lead on projects across the business, understanding and analysing the impacts of new financial reporting standards and ensuring their effective implementation.
           
• Provision of technical accounting advice to the wider finance team and to the business, including promotion of learning and development within finance.
           
• Supporting the Group Financial Controller’s and External Reporting Manager's involvement in industry and cross-industry financial reporting groups including 100 Group's Financial Reporting Committee and UK Water Financial Controller's Forum.
           
• Supporting the External Reporting Manager’s involvement in the UKEB Rate-regulated Activities working group to help shape the development of financial reporting in this key area.
           
• Supporting the group’s involvement in the UK Water Financial Controllers forum to help influence the way in which the industry interprets and implements accounting and other financial reporting requirements.

Projects

• To lead on ad-hoc financial reporting related projects.
           
• Involvement in other ad-hoc wider finance projects, including in relation to processes and controls.

Knowledge & Skills

Essential:

• Qualified accountant (CA/ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)
           
• An advocate for living UU's values of 'do the right thing', 'make it happen', and 'be better' in support of the group's purpose of providing great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West
           
• Genuine interest in the development and application of accounting standards and best practice financial reporting
           
• Self-motivated, results driven and an ability to effectively manage and operate under tight deadlines
           
• An ability to effectively deal with complexity and produce outputs that are clear and simple to understand
           
• Drive and ability to improve existing controls and processes, including use of systems
           
• Confidence to effectively coordinate and manage a team
           
• Track record of driving own professional development and progression
           
• Attention to detail and high standards of accuracy
           
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
           
• Ability to confidently and professionally communicate with people of all levels and build great relationships

Advantageous

• IFRS experience
           
• Experience of working with regulated utilities or other regulated entities