Junior Compensation Accountant

Cantor Fitzgerald Securities; London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Junior Compensation Accountant to support the Compensation Accounting Manager in EMEA operations. This role offers a fantastic opportunity for school leavers or fresh graduates eager to kickstart their accounting careers. You will play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of compensation-related financials, working closely with various stakeholders, and contributing to the development of the Compensation Accounting team. The ideal candidate will possess a proactive attitude, strong attention to detail, and excellent communication skills, making this a great entry point into the financial services sector.

Qualifications

• Minimum AAT Level 3 Qualification preferable.
• Strong academic background with financial services experience desired.

Responsibilities

• Support Compensation Accounting Manager with all aspects of Compensation Accounting.
• Ensure integrity of Comp related P&L and Balance Sheet across EMEA operations.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Communication Skills

Proactive Attitude

Organizational Skills

Supervisory Skills

Education

AAT Level 3 Qualification

Strong Academic Background

Tools

MS Excel

Essbase

Oracle General Ledger

Microsoft Office

Job description

Responsibilities

Junior Compensation Accountant Main purpose of the role:

• To fully support the Compensation Accounting Manager to cover all aspects of Compensation Accounting primarily for the EMEA operations with view to meeting all internal and external financial reporting deadlines.
• The successful candidate shall make an important contribution to the continued development of the Compensation Accounting team whilst constantly raising the bar in terms of quality and control.
• This is a great opportunity for school leavers with relevant work experience or fresh graduates who are eager to begin their accounting career.

Key responsibilities:

• To ensure the integrity of Comp related P&L and Balance Sheet on a timely basis across the EMEA operations of the Group through monthly postings to the GL followed by analytical review and reconciliations.
• Work closely with Senior Broker Compensation Accountant to ensure all Broker Compensation Accounting matters are closed out on a timely basis.
• Work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure matters are closed out on a timely basis.
• Calculating and posting revenue related monthly bonus accruals. Reviewing and adjusting accruals to be in line with forecasted desk pay out.
• Assist in preparation of timely management information including desk and broker performance reports.
• Ensure Comp related FX exposure is managed, controlled and reported on a timely basis.
• Coordinate commentary on monthly/quarterly P&L movement for global P&L analytics.
• Work closely with counterparts in US/Asia on relevant matters and share best practice.
• Assist auditors through timely delivery of files and responses to any queries.
• Ensure integrity of confidential name detail information.
• Identify and implement improvements within Compensation Accounting processes through development and concise documentation of policies and procedures.
• Support Compensation Accounting Manager on ad-hoc issues.
• Be alert to Conduct Risk issues, specifically the risk of harm to client interests, market integrity and/or competition in financial markets due to inappropriate practices or behaviours across the firm.

Skills / experience required:

• A strong academic background.
• Minimum AAT Level 3 Qualification preferable.
• Financial services experience desired but not essential.
• Good written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact with stakeholders throughout the Group with view to developing and maintaining strong relationships.
• Possess a pro-active attitude with an ability to take responsibility.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Supervisory skills would be advantageous.
• Ability to meet deadlines, organise and prioritise.

Systems used:

• Strong MS Excel skills (including vlookups, pivot tables, sumifs and charts).
• Prior experience with Essbase and Oracle General Ledger preferable.
• Other Microsoft Office applications.

Personal attributes:

• The successful candidate will require excellent personal presentation and have confidence operating in a competitive work-environment and can handle challenging situations sensitively.
• Appetite to study and gain necessary accounting qualifications.
• Proactive and adaptable, able to work well under pressure.
• Ability to evaluate issues and situations to enable timely decision making with little need for upward reference whilst escalating matters as necessary on a timely basis.
• Self-starter unafraid to ask questions and seek answers.
• Willing to take ownership, work without close supervision while also being a team player.