Assistant Finance Accountant

Ocado Group; Hatfield; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in online grocery services is seeking an Assistant Finance Accountant to assist with financial close activities and reporting. The role involves transactional processing, preparing financial reports, and collaborating with finance partners to ensure accuracy. The ideal candidate will be studying towards ACA, ACCA, or CIMA and have experience in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

30 days ‘working from anywhere in the world’ policy

Wellbeing support via apps

25 days annual leave

Pension options

Private Medical Insurance

Income Protection

Paid maternity leave

Interest-free Train Ticket Loan

Cycle to Work Scheme

15% discount on Ocado.com

Qualifications

• Studying towards ACA, ACCA, or CIMA.
• Experience in a fast-paced global environment.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking transactional processing activities.
• Preparing monthly P&L and Balance Sheet reports.
• Collaborating with Commercial Finance partners.

Skills

Financial Processes

Process Improvement

Customer Experience

Education

ACA

ACCA

CIMA

Job description

About Us

Our teams are putting the world’s retailers online using the cloud, robotics, AI, and IoT. We provide services to partner clients globally via our innovative advanced robotics technology, known as the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP). This drives our highly automated, multi-million pound Customer Fulfilment Centres (CFCs). In our CFCs, together with proprietary software applications, we operate a world-class online grocery business that automates the single pick of products, ready for your online delivery.

About The Role

The Assistant Finance Accountant is responsible for assisting in the delivery of the financial close activities and reporting financial results for their nominated area. Key responsibilities include:

• Undertaking transactional processing activities (journals, allocations, reconciliations)
• Preparing monthly P&L (including variance analysis), Balance Sheet, and related reports in line with group policies
• Collaborating with Commercial Finance partners to ensure financial accuracy
• Supporting interim and year-end reporting and audits
• Identifying areas for process improvement

Accountabilities

• Performing and reporting on transactional activities, including journal processing, reconciliations, period close, and financial performance reporting
• Ensuring compliance with group accounting policies
• Submitting transactional posts for review and approval
• Reconciliation of accounts and general ledger balances
• Adhering to the close calendar timelines
• Supporting the Half Year and Year End close processes, addressing audit queries timely
• Partnering with Commercial Finance teams, understanding budgets and forecasts, attending stakeholder meetings
• Providing commentary on management account lines and raising issues with management
• Identifying opportunities to streamline processes and improve accuracy
• Producing ad hoc reports as needed
• Ensuring accuracy of disclosures in the annual report and statutory accounts

About You

• Studying towards ACA, ACCA, or CIMA, with understanding of relevant regulations
• Understanding core financial processes and systems
• Awareness of accounting standards and principles
• Experience in a fast-paced global environment
• Experience delivering excellent customer/user experiences
• Experience with process improvement and automation

What We Offer You

Our benefits focus on your well-being and are regularly reviewed:

• 30 days ‘working from anywhere in the world’ policy
• Wellbeing support via apps and Employee Assistance Program
• 25 days annual leave, increasing to 27 after 5 years, with optional holiday purchase
• Pension options, including employer contribution matching up to 7%
• Private Medical Insurance (within the first month)
• Income Protection (up to 50% salary for 3 years) and Life Assurance (3x salary)
• Paid maternity (22 weeks) and paternity leave (6 weeks)
• Interest-free Train Ticket Loan
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free shuttle buses to Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City offices
• Participation in Sharesave and Buy as You Earn schemes
• 15% discount on Ocado.com and free delivery within the first month