Finance Analyst

Wickes; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retailer in Watford is seeking an experienced Finance Analyst for a 9-month role. Responsibilities include managing the fixed asset register, assisting the tax team with VAT reconciliation, and supporting financial reporting activities. The ideal candidate will be part-qualified ACCA with over 2 years of finance experience, particularly in retail. This position offers a competitive bonus, a contributory pension scheme, and a range of health and wellbeing benefits, promoting a collaborative workplace culture.

Benefits

Competitive bonus

Contributory pension scheme

Colleague discount

Discount platform

Qualifications

• Part-qualified Accountant with proven experience as a Finance Analyst.
• 2+ years of experience in financial accounting and reporting.
• Experience in retail or FMCG sectors preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the fixed asset register and financial accounting entries.
• Assist the tax team with VAT reconciliations.
• Support the Finance Manager with internal reporting activities.

Skills

Financial accounting

Tax-related knowledge

Excel skills

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Part-qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA)

Tools

MS Office

Google Sheets

Job description

We are seeking a Finance Analyst to join our Financial Control and Reporting team for a period of 9 months.

The primary responsibilities of this role involve maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the fixed asset register, supporting lease accounting, and assisting the tax team with VAT reconciliation.

The ideal candidate will be part-qualified ACCA with proven experience in financial accounting. Given the requirement to support the tax team for one to two days a week, candidates must have successfully passed at least one tax-related module within their ACCA studies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide robust financial control and accounting for the accounts held by the Fixed Assets & Leases team (including the Group's lease portfolio and fixed assets register)
• Responsible for posting period end financial accounting entries and completing reconciliations for assigned balance sheet accounts on a timely basis
• Review capital expenditure requests and invoices for compliance with the Group's capex policy, approval hierarchy, and accounting standards.
• Work collaboratively, supporting the Finance Manager for Fixed Assets & Leases to meet tight deadlines at period end, and internal reporting activities e.g. budgeting and forecasting.
• Support the tax team with VAT reconciliations and projects
• Assist with any ad hoc requests across the Financial Reporting and Control team including participation in external reporting processes where required to help the smooth, efficient working of the Finance function.

What are we looking for:

• Part-qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA, including a pass for foundation tax exam)
• 2+ years Finance Analyst experience
• Retail / FMCG experience
• Lease (IFRS 16) and fixed asset accounting
• Proficiency in MS Office/Google with good Excel/Google Sheets skills
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Financially literate
• Problem solving skills
• Team player/happy to help/can do attitude
• Well organised with the ability to prioritise work
• Hard working and proactive
• Enthusiastic and inquisitive

What can we offer you?

You'll be supported with fantastic learning and development and have the opportunity to grow and develop your career with us.

We'll also equip you with a benefits package that includes:

• Competitive bonus (2027 period)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Colleague discount
• Discount platform including savings and cash back at numerous retailers, savings on gym membership, cycle to work scheme.

Our widely recognised wellbeing strategy is something we're proud of at Wickes. As part of this, we offer a range of health and wellbeing benefits and support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, financial education & loans, and access to parental, menopause and fertility support.

We recognise the value of bringing our teams together to collaborate, support each other and build on our amazing culture. We are also encouraging our teams to work flexibly, with a blend of remote / office.

About Us:

Wickes is a multi-channel retailer in the home improvement market. With 40 years in industry, Wickes now generates revenue in excess of £1.3Bn across 230 stores delivered by 8,000+ colleagues.

But it is the Wickes' culture that we are really proud of as it's a collaborative, down to earth, fun and inclusive environment where people feel part of a winning team. All our colleagues come from different backgrounds, but what we all have in common is a determination to succeed and a passion for being the best we can be. If that sounds like you, we'll make you feel right at home.

Vacancy Reference #

Please contact us here if you require any adjustments within the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments at the interview stage you will have an opportunity to inform us when we invite you to interview. Please note, this link is only for reasonable adjustments required – general enquiries, or direct CV applications cannot be accepted via this form.