Local Financial Controller (Junior)

DFDS UK & Ireland; Whittlesey; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life assurance cover

Contributory pension scheme

Holiday Purchase Scheme

Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests (

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

DFDS UK & Ireland is seeking a Junior Local Financial Accountant to join our finance team. This role offers hands-on experience and a path to grow within a supportive environment, ideal for someone early in their accounting career to build technical expertise and commercial awareness.

You will handle journals, reconciliations, KPI monitoring, and general ledger activities while working toward ACCA/CIMA qualifications.

Qualifications

• AAT qualified and/or studying towards ACCA or CIMA.
• Strong Excel skills and attention to detail.
• Experience in finance or accounting roles is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and post journal entries in line with accounting standards.
• Perform balance sheet and bank reconciliations, resolve discrepancies.
• Support monitoring and reporting of KPIs.
• Handle finance queries from internal stakeholders.
• Maintain and review the general ledger and data integrity.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close processes.
• Identify process improvements and efficiency gains.
• Support wider finance team with ad hoc reporting.

Skills

Excel skills

Numerical accuracy

Attention to detail

Deadline-driven

Team collaboration

Education

AAT qualification

ACCA/CIMA in progress

Tools

Financial systems

Accounting software

Job description

Do you want to be a valued part of the critical infrastructure that serves communities across Europe and beyond? Are you looking for a position in which you can set direction and help shape our company? If so, then you could be the newest addition to our team as a Junior Local Financial Accountant.

Be part of the movement - and play your part.

About the role

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior Local Financial Accountant to join our finance team. This role provides an excellent opportunity for a developing finance professional to gain hands-on experience and grow within a supportive environment. This position is ideal for someone early in their accounting career who is keen to build technical expertise, develop commercial awareness, and contribute to the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting.

You will be responsible for

• Preparing and posting journal entries (JNLs) in line with accounting standards
• Performing balance sheet and bank reconciliations, ensuring accuracy, and resolving discrepancies
• Supporting the monitoring and reporting of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Managing and resolving finance-related queries from internal stakeholders
• Maintaining and reviewing the general ledger, ensuring data integrity
• Assisting with month-end and year-end close processes
• Identifying opportunities for process improvements and increased efficiencies
• Supporting wider finance team activities and ad hoc reporting requirements

About you

You will be AAT qualified and/or studying towards, or part-qualified in, ACCA or CIMA, with a solid understanding of accounting principles and practices. Previous experience in a finance or accounting role is desirable, alongside strong Excel skills, experience using financial systems, and a high level of numerical accuracy and attention to detail. You will be organised, able to manage competing priorities, and comfortable working to deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

We are looking for someone who is naturally curious and enjoys understanding the story behind the numbers. You will take a thorough and methodical approach to your work, demonstrate a strong sense of ownership and accountability, and be committed to continuous improvement. A positive attitude, strong work ethic, and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a supportive finance team are essential.

We think the strongest teams are built on diversity and inclusivity. Contrasting opinions, varied skills and strong characters bring out the best in us all. And we cannot wait for you to join.

Working at DFDS

Join the movement and grow with us.

Now about what we can give you. You’ll be able to access some fantastic benefits such as:

• Life assurance cover
• Contributory company pension scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Free ferry travel for up to 4 guests between Dover and Calais / Newcastle and Amsterdam with no limit on trips
• Full employee assistance programme including:
• Proactive financial, emotional, mental, and physical health care support including face to face counselling, fast 24/7 access to a GP, a second medical opinion and legal support for colleagues and their family.
• Huge range of retail discounts from high street and online retailers
• Cashback on health care including dental, optical, physiotherapy, prescriptions, specialist consultations and much more.
• Access to myStrength, our Wellbeing platform, which has plenty of content to support and improve your mental wellness needs.
• Access to mental health first aid and opportunity to join support webinars with a focus on all areas of positive wellbeing.

While you’re with us, we want you to develop. At DFDS, we believe that development happens first and foremost through activities in the workplace. We will also offer training courses that can support you in your role, if needed.