Financial Accountant

Trace | Expert Accountancy & Finance Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in finance seeks a Financial Accountant for a high-end Retail & Fashion client in London. This role involves generating duty drawback claims, supporting statutory accounts preparations under UK GAAP/IFRS, and maintaining balance sheet controls. The ideal candidate will be part-qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with strong analytical and IT skills. This is a full-time position offering a salary of up to £40,000 plus benefits.

Qualifications

• Solid grounding in financial accounting principles including UK GAAP and IFRS.
• Experience of reviewing or preparing Statutory Accounts.
• Exposure to customs/tax compliance is advantageous but not required.

Responsibilities

• Generate and monitor duty drawback claims for global markets.
• Support the preparation of year‑end statutory accounts under UK GAAP/IFRS.
• Maintain strong balance sheet controls and ensure accurate reconciliations.

Skills

Part Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Financial accounting principles

Experience in practice or industry

Strong analytical skills

Strong IT skills, particularly Excel

Excellent communication skills

Proactive mindset

Job description

Financial Accountant – Retail & Fashion Company

We’re recruiting a Financial Accountant for our high‑end Retail & Fashion client. This newly created role supports the Financial Reporting team, responsible for balance sheet and related reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Dual reporting line into the Tax Manager and Group Finance Controller
• Generate and monitor duty drawback claims for multiple global markets, while identifying additional reclaim opportunities.
• Support the preparation of year‑end statutory accounts under UK GAAP/IFRS, liaising with external auditors as required.
• Produce quarterly forecasts of global duty costs
• Maintain strong balance sheet controls, ensuring reconciliations are completed accurately and on time.
• Partner with sourcing, procurement, and commercial teams to ensure accurate product costing, margin reporting, and compliance with customs requirements.
• Assist in monitoring international duty and tariff spend, incorporating this into commercial and financial reporting.
• Support quarterly forecasting and annual budgeting processes, including global duty cost projections.
• Provide support across wider finance activities, including cash flow reporting, indirect tax compliance, and ad hoc analysis.

Key Requirements

• Part Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA).
• Solid grounding in financial accounting principles, including UK GAAP and IFRS.
• Experience in either practice or a financial accounting role in industry.
• Experience of reviewing or preparing Statutory Accounts.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to investigate variances and identify root causes.
• Exposure to customs/tax compliance (duties, VAT, tariffs) is advantageous but not the primary focus.
• Strong IT skills, particularly Excel, with the ability to interrogate ERP systems.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build relationships across finance and non‑finance stakeholders.
• Proactive mindset with the ability to review processes and suggest improvements.

We’re committed to making our recruitment process inclusive and accessible to all candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role. We particularly welcome applications from under‑represented groups within the accountancy profession. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the process, please let us know.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Finance and Accounting / Auditing

Location: London, England, United Kingdom

Base pay range: Financial Accountant, Central London, paying up to £40,000 plus benefits.