Investment Finance AVP

Barclays UK; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution is seeking an Assistant Vice President to join their team managing the financial operations of the Barclays UK Retirement Fund. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with regulations, and effective budget management. Ideal applicants will have a professional accounting qualification and experience in financial management within a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification essential.
• Experience in financial management within a regulated environment is required.
• Knowledge of pension scheme accounting is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial operations for accurate financial reporting.
• Assist with quarterly VAT returns and tax documentation.
• Support budget management activities including variance analysis.

Skills

Analytical skills

Knowledge of investment asset classes

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Professional accounting qualification – ACCA, ACA, CIMA

Job description

You will be part of a small team of financial accountants for the Barclays Bank UK Retirement Fund (UKRF) pension fund (c200,000 members and c£24bn of assets), responsible for providing financial accounting and administrative support to the UKRF and Barclays Pensions and Benefits cost centres, including:

• Review of the quarterly and year-end statutory pension fund investment accounting schedules, regulatory and tax reporting, and financial operations (in line with pension scheme accounting standards) prepared by the scheme accountants.
• Produce the annual budget for the pension scheme, and maintain budgetary and cost control information including the production of cost reporting and budget related papers.
• Provide operational support on financial, investment, and tax activities including related projects.

Key Accountabilities

Review and analyze pension scheme accounting functions and tax processes, including:

• Reconciliation of investment records to ensure accurate financial information, liaising with investment managers and custodians.
• Review the scheme’s annual report and financial statements, liaising with external auditors and stakeholders.
• Assist with quarterly VAT returns and tax documentation.
• Manage the production of annual reports and financial statements for investment entities.
• Manage relationships with key suppliers such as custodians, auditors, and tax advisors.
• Support the preparation of governance committee papers on financial and tax activities.

Support budget and cost management activities, including:

• Producing the scheme’s annual expenses budget and related reports.
• Providing monthly and quarterly budget reports with variance and trend analysis.
• Assisting with MI for the Pensions and Benefits cost centres.

Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, the UKRF’s Risk Management Framework, and Barclays’ policies, including:

• Designing, documenting, and operating financial investment controls.
• Providing attestations for control operations.
• Reviewing and approving invoices and expenses.

Essential Skills/Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification – ACCA, ACA, CIMA.
• Knowledge of investment asset classes and valuation methodologies.
• Strong analytical skills with large financial data sets.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Experience in financial management and control within a regulated environment.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of pension scheme accounting.

Purpose of the role

Manage financial operations, ensuring accurate and reliable financial reporting.

Accountabilities

• Prepare and present accurate financial statements in accordance with standards.
• Identify and mitigate financial risks, reporting to senior colleagues.
• Develop internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure data accuracy.
• Develop and implement financial policies and procedures.
• Manage financial systems and software, collaborating with IT.
• Prepare statutory and regulatory reports and support audits.

Assistant Vice President Expectations

• Provide advice on complex issues and support risk mitigation.
• Manage risk and strengthen controls.
• Coordinate with other areas to support organizational objectives.
• Analyze data from multiple sources to solve problems.
• Communicate complex information effectively.
• Influence stakeholders to achieve outcomes.

All colleagues are expected to embody Barclays’ values and mindset, promoting respect, integrity, service, excellence, stewardship, and empowerment.