Financial Accountant (Parental Cover)

CO-OP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday (pro‑rata) + bank

Pension with up to 10% employer

Discount on Co‑op products and 10% off

Stream - early access to a percentage

Virtual healthcare including GP visits

24/7 colleague support service

Training and career progression

Cycle-to-work scheme

Job summary

Co-op is seeking a Senior Financial Accountant to join the Wholesale Finance team in Manchester on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract during parental leave. You will lead month‑end processes, prepare and submit monthly packs for the Group, and manage accruals for supplier income and margins.

You’ll support external audits and maintain strong financial controls across the business. You’ll possess an accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent, with strong reporting experience, attention

Qualifications

• Accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent experience.
• Experience in financial reporting, reconciliations, and month-end processes.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good communication and stakeholder relationship skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end financial control processes and documentation.
• Prepare and submit monthly reporting packs for the broader Co-op Group.
• Prepare monthly accruals and reconciliations for supplier income, terms, and funding.
• Produce weekly stock reports and monthly stock journals.
• Prepare accruals for sundry margin costs including donations and HMRC excise duty.
• Run monthly balance sheet reconciliations and analytical reviews.
• Carry out transactional and journal testing to support controls.
• Support the external annual audit with requested samples and docs.
• Collaborate with Financial Control team to provide support.

Skills

ACA/ACCA/CIMA equivalent

Financial reporting

Month-end close

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Microsoft Excel

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

We're looking for a Senior Financial Accountant to join our Wholesale Finance team on a 12-month fixed-term contract, covering a period of parental leave. In this role, you'll take the lead in preparing and reporting monthly financial results for the Wholesale business, making sure our financial reporting is accurate, insightful, and delivered on time. You'll play a key role in reporting trading margin performance, supplier income, stock, and fixed assets, while helping to maintain a strong financial control environment across the business. Why this role matters Good financial reporting helps our business make informed decisions, manage risk, and invest in the things that matter most to our customers and communities. As a Senior Financial Accountant, you'll provide the accurate reporting and controls that underpin the performance of our Wholesale business. From making sure trading margins are reported correctly to supporting external audits and maintaining effective financial controls, your work will help sustain the integrity of our financial information and support the long-term success of Co-op Wholesale. What you'll do

• Lead the organisation, review, and documentation of month-end financial control processes
• Prepare and submit monthly reporting packs for the wider Co-op Group
• Prepare monthly accruals and reconciliations relating to supplier income, including annual terms, promotional funding, and sundry services
• Produce weekly stock reporting and prepare monthly stock and goods-in-transit journals
• Prepare monthly accruals and reconciliations for sundry margin costs, including charitable donations and HMRC excise duty
• Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations, analytical reviews, and financial control reporting
• Carry out transactional and journal testing to support the financial control framework
• Support the annual external audit, responding to requests for samples, reconciliations, and supporting documentation
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Financial Control team, providing support where needed

We're committed to making our roles as accessible as possible, so we only ask for the minimum criteria. To thrive here, you'll need to bring:

• An accountancy qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent experience
• Experience in financial reporting, reconciliations, and month-end processes
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate work
• Good communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships
• Experience using Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel

At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:

• 28 days holiday (pro‑rata) plus bank holidays
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• 30% discount on Co‑op products and 10% off other brands
• Stream - early access to a percentage of your pay as you earn it
• Virtual healthcare including GP appointments, mental health support, nutrition and fitness advice
• 24/7 colleague support service
• Training and support for your development and career progression
• Cycle-to-work scheme