Financial Accountant

Simon & Schuster, Inc.; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A global leader in publishing located in London is seeking a meticulous Financial Accountant to support financial reporting and assist in month-end close processes. The ideal candidate will have a newly qualified ACA or up to one year of post-qualification experience, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to improvements in accounting processes and work with a dynamic finance team.

Qualifications

• Newly qualified ACA accountant or up to one year's experience.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Support financial reporting and control of the balance sheet.
• Prepare month-end and quarter-end close processes.
• Manage intercompany reporting and reconciliation.

Skills

Strong organisational skills

Attention to detail

Initiative

Excellent communication

Time management

Education

ACA qualification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Dynamics Navision

IBM TM1

Job description

Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, is dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats.

Simon & Schuster UK is looking for a meticulous and proactive Financial Accountant to join our dynamic Finance team. Acting as an integral part of the department, you will support the Group Financial Controller and wider team in delivering accurate and timely financial reporting, while ensuring robust control of the company's balance sheet.

This role has two direct reports: the Junior Management Accountant and the Finance Assistant.

The Job Role

The Financial Accountant plays a key role in the month-end and quarter-end close process, including the preparation and posting of UK journals for revenue, royalties, and intercompany activity. They are responsible for compiling all UK month-end and quarter-end reports, including the trial balance submission to S&S Inc., and for preparing and reviewing balance sheet reconciliations.

This role also includes ownership of the WIP general ledger accounts, with monthly reviews and analysis, as well as reconciling goods-in-transit related to stock purchases from S&S Inc. The Financial Accountant provides financial and commercial stock analysis in support of the stock controllers and contributes to year-end reporting schedules, bi-annual returns reviews, and quarterly group reporting.

A core responsibility is managing intercompany reporting, accounting, and reconciliation with S&S Inc., S&S Australia, and S&S India, alongside coordinating intercompany payments and receipts.

Additional duties include preparing the monthly VAT return, quarterly income tax calculations, and serving as a key audit contact. The role also encompasses National Statistic and carbon audit reporting, acting as a Navision super user, and supporting junior finance team members through review and guidance. The Financial Accountant contributes to ongoing improvements in accounting processes and responds to a range of internal and external data requests.

The Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be a newly qualified ACA accountant (or with up to one year's post-qualification experience in industry), possessing strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to meet tight deadlines. A confident communicator and team player, they will demonstrate excellent attention to detail, initiative, and a commitment to continuous learning and development. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the wider Microsoft Office Suite is essential, while experience with Microsoft Dynamics Navision and IBM TM1 is desirable.

Simon & Schuster UK is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity and gender expression.