Financial Accountant

Potter Clarkson; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pan-European Intellectual Property law firm is seeking a Financial Accountant to join their Nottingham office. The role involves ensuring control over balance sheets, supporting audits, and preparing VAT returns. The firm offers a flexible working policy, health benefits, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Flexible working policy

Birthday leave

Pension scheme

Charitable day off

Enhanced parental leave

Electric car scheme

Discretionary bonus

Healthcare

Vouchers

Cycle to work

Qualifications

• Experience in a finance team, particularly with VAT returns and audits.
• Strong systems knowledge and experience working in a dynamic finance environment.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for preparing monthly accounts and ensuring reconciliations are accurate.
• Assist or lead activities for the Group, UK, Danish, and Swedish audits.
• Prepare VAT returns and ensure compliance with legislation.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Communication

Time Management

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

We have an exciting new opportunity for a Financial Accountant to join our Finance team within our Nottingham office.

The role

Working with the Group Financial Controller to ensure sufficient control over our balance sheet, providing internal assurance and safeguarding the delivery of our statutory audit submissions.

Duties And Responsibilities

1. Control:
   • Responsible for preparing monthly accounts, ensuring reconciliations are complete, accurate, and controls are in place.
   • Ensure that balance sheet packs for all entities are delivered, including preparing specific reconciliations and reviewing those prepared by the team and other departments, highlighting and following up on issues/outstanding balances, and investigating queries.
   • Meet month-end close deadlines, including preparing schedules for internal reporting.
   • Support the redesign of processes and procedures to ensure efficient, well-controlled operations.
2. External Audit:
   • Assist or lead activities for the Group, UK, Danish, and Swedish audits, ensuring the provision of accurate and high-quality information, while minimizing time and costs.
   • Meet month-end close deadlines, preparing schedules for internal reporting.
3. Tax:
   • Prepare VAT returns, review underlying transactions, and ensure compliance with legislation.
   • Reconcile VAT balances on the balance sheet.
   • Review and reconcile withholding tax transactions from debtor receipts.
   • Analyze and address queries related to PAYE Settlement Agreement monthly.
4. Insight:
   • Prepare cash flow forecasts with detailed analysis of actual versus forecasted positions.
   • Liaise with Members Advisor to support resolution of member queries, especially regarding drawings and distributions.
5. Perform reasonable ad hoc duties as required.

Requirements

• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, logic formulas, lookups).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint).
• Relevant qualification and experience (e.g., ACCA/ACA/CIMA).
• Experience in a finance team, particularly with VAT returns and audits.
• Strong systems knowledge.
• Experience working in a dynamic finance environment with diverse responsibilities.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills, proactive and personable approach.
• Willingness to learn new skills and industry knowledge.
• Industry experience and systems implementation experience are desirable but not essential.

The Company

Potter Clarkson LLP is a leading pan-European Intellectual Property law firm with seven offices across the UK, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. We provide comprehensive IP services to support our clients' commercial objectives, emphasizing exceptional client care through an approachable and engaged team.

Our team includes over 80 patent and trade mark professionals, 10 IP solicitors, supported by over 100 staff, all backed by state-of-the-art IT infrastructure. We have seamlessly adapted to remote working, maintaining high service levels and a vibrant social culture.

Recognized in top legal guides like Legal 500 and MIP, and holding three ISO accreditations, we demonstrate high standards in environmental awareness, service, and security.

We promote work-life balance and wellbeing, offering health benefits, flexible working, social activities, wellness sessions, and mental health support.

Benefits

• Flexible working policy, with in-office presence expected two days per week; full-time in-office work initially for training and integration.
• Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 based on experience.
• Birthday leave, pension scheme, charitable day off, enhanced parental leave, electric car scheme, discretionary bonus, healthcare, vouchers, cycle to work, and company days.

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and stimulating workplace. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.