Client Finance Accountant

Polo; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private health insurance

Pension contributions

Annual leave 24 days

Volunteering days

Job summary

Polo in Cheltenham is seeking a Client Finance Accountant to deliver accurate, timely accounting services to a diverse portfolio of clients, working closely with client teams and colleagues.

You will prepare management accounts and statutory reports, process journals, handle payroll, liaise with auditors, and ensure controls and regulatory compliance, with a supportive, hybrid working environment and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Experience in producing management accounts and annual reports.
• Ability to ensure accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.
• Knowledge of insurance finance regulatory returns is desirable.
• Adept at balancing client expectations with deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Maintain client records and reconcile ledgers.
• Prepare management accounts and consolidation of reports.
• Prepare statutory accounts.
• Process journals and reference data on ledger.
• Approve payments and monitor invoices.
• Monitor cash movements and escalate to the Client Manager.
• Process payroll for clients.
• Liaise with auditors, regulators and clients.
• Ensure controls are documented and updated.
• Assist with recruitment, training and audits.
• Handle ad-hoc projects and tasks.

Skills

Attention to detail

Client-focused

Communication skills

Team player

Problem solving

MS Excel

MS Word/Outlook

Regulatory knowledge

Analytical mindset

Education

Qualified accountant or equivalent by experience

Tools

SUN/Q&A accounting software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Client Finance Accountant

Department: Client Finance

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Cheltenham

Description

As a Client Finance Accountant, you will play a key role in delivering accurate, timely, and compliant accounting services to a portfolio of clients. Working closely with clients and colleagues, you will ensure all financial reporting, reconciliations, and deliverables are completed to a high standard, helping to drive excellent client outcomes and service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Delivering agreed services to clients which may include:

• Maintenance of client records and reconciliation of ledgers.
• Preparation of Management accounts and consolidation of financial reports and regulatory returns.
• Preparation of Statutory accounts.
• Preparing, reviewing and processing journals and reference data on ledger.
• Approving payments in line with relevant delegated authority and monitoring/resolving outstanding invoices/statements.
• Monitoring cash movements and balances and escalating to the Client Manager when required.
• Processing payroll on behalf of clients.
• Liaising with regulatory bodies, auditors and clients.
• Ensuring procedures and controls are documented, followed, and updated.
• Keeping abreast of regulatory changes and work with clients, third parties and other Polo staff to ensure such changes are implemented in a controlled and timely manner.
• Ensuring controls are as required and resolve any issues.
• Assisting with recruitment, training, development, and succession planning.
• Assisting with audits for clients.
• Other ad-hoc projects and tasks.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience of preparing management accounts and Annual reports and financial statements
• A keen eye for detail and strong organisational skills
• High professional ethics
• Customer focused
• Able to prioritise and plan to meet deadlines, even when they conflict
• A team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Excellent MS Excel/Word/Outlook skills
• Qualified accountant or qualified by experience
• Knowledge of general insurance finance, including regulatory returns is desirable
• Good knowledge of SUN/Q&A accounting software is desirable

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, discretionary annual bonus, and a minimum 24 days of annual leave (with the option to buy more), you will also get an excellent benefits package, including flexible, hybrid working, private health insurance, life assurance, income protection, enhanced pension contributions, and occupational maternity and paternity pay.

You will also have access to company volunteering days, an Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing scheme, an employee assistance programme with retail discounts and savings, a generous employee referral scheme, regular sports and social events, and free Cheltenham bus travel. Band 2