Accountant

MSC Cruises; Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

MSC Cruises is seeking an Accountant to join the UK Finance team. You will support month-end close, intercompany transactions, and reconciliations across a global network, ensuring accuracy and compliance with group policies.

You will collaborate with UK and international finance colleagues on ERP-based processes and audits. The role requires strong Excel, VAT understanding, and experience in a commercial finance environment.

Qualifications

• Finalist or newly qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Previous experience supporting month-end accounting processes in a commercial finance environment.
• Experience of intercompany accounting and reconciliations.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, lookups, and data analysis functions.
• Working knowledge of double-entry accounting principles and financial controls.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting tight month-end and reporting deadlines.
• Working knowledge of UK VAT requirements relating to customer and supplier invoicing.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships across international teams.
• Experience using SAP S/4HANA or another major ERP/accounting system

Responsibilities

• Supports month-end and year-end close processes with timely, accurate accounting.
• Prepares intercompany customer and supplier invoices and statements.
• Performs balance sheet and P&L reconciliations; investigates discrepancies.
• Completes monthly intercompany reconciliations across a large network; responds to audit confirmations.
• Allocates travel expenses to appropriate departments.
• Prepares and maintains accruals and prepayments schedules.
• Assists with vendor master data maintenance and validation checks.
• Supports internal and external audits by providing documentation on request.
• Assists with financial analysis, reporting, and finance-related projects.
• Prepares UK VAT reporting and related compliance activities.
• Responds to accounting queries from stakeholders and supports ad hoc finance matters.

Skills

Finalist/Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Month-end close

Intercompany accounting

Excel (PivotTables/LOOKUP)

Analytical mindset

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA finalist

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

Where passion meets opportunity

The best of your adventures is the one you have yet to sail!

Your Purpose

The Accountant plays a key role within the Finance Department of MSC Cruise Management (UK) Limited, supporting the financial operations of a fast-growing, international business.

This position is responsible for delivering accurate and timely month-end accounting, financial reporting, and operational accounting activities while ensuring compliance with Group accounting policies and reporting requirements. The role works closely with colleagues across the UK Finance team, as well as finance teams in Switzerland, Italy, Malta, and other international locations, to support effective financial operations and intercompany transactions.

The successful candidate will also partner with Finance Managers in the UK and Italy to manage intercompany trading and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the finance function.

Your Impact

• Supports the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring the timely and accurate completion of accounting activities.
• Prepares and processes intercompany customer and supplier invoices and statements.
• Performs balance sheet reconciliations and profit and loss account reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
• Completes monthly intercompany reconciliations across a large network of international trading partners. Also respond to the audit confirmation requests from the related parties.
• Allocates the employee travel expenses to approrpaite departments.
• Prepares, reviews, and maintain accruals and prepayments schedules.
• Assists with vendor master data maintenance, ensuring all validation and compliance checks are completed and appropriately documented.
• Supports internal and external audit requirements by preparing documentation and responding to information requests.
• Assists with financial analysis, reporting, and finance-related projects.
• Prepares and supports UK VAT reporting and related compliance activities.
• Responds to accounting queries from internal stakeholders and provide support on ad hoc finance matters.

Your Journey so far

• Finalist or newly qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Previous experience supporting month-end accounting processes in a commercial finance environment.
• Experience of intercompany accounting and reconciliations.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, lookups, and data analysis functions.
• Good understanding of double-entry accounting principles and financial controls.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while consistently meeting tight month-end and reporting deadlines.
• Working knowledge of UK VAT requirements relating to customer and supplier invoicing.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships across international teams.
• Experience using SAP S/4HANA or another major ERP/accounting system

Your Essentials

• Must have the right to work in the UK

Our commitment

We are committed to building a future that values diverse perspectives, embraces the world beyond borders, and fosters an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to be their authentic selves. Our commitment extends to taking meaningful, measurable actions that have a long-term positive impact on our guests, our employees and our planet.