Operational Accountant

Scottish Friendly; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Scottish Friendly is seeking an Operational Accountant to join the Finance team in Glasgow on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The role focuses on accurate financial reporting, strong controls, and efficient processes, with hybrid working (two days in office, three at home).

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant or qualified by experience, with excellent communication and organisational skills, and a track record in transactional processes and reporting within financial

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified through experience.
• Experience of managing transactional processes and financial reporting within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to understand complex financial processes and transaction flows.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commercial awareness and strong business acumen.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Previous experience in an accounting role within the financial services sector. (insurance would be a bonus!)

Responsibilities

• Support the development and maintenance of a strong financial and governance framework across the business.
• Ensure the accurate and efficient processing of financial transactions, including premiums, claims, and expenses.
• Deliver accurate and timely month-end reporting, including journal preparation, balance sheet reconciliations, financial analysis, and management reporting.
• Maintain robust financial controls and support continuous improvement initiatives within the finance function.
• Partner with finance and operational stakeholders to ensure the integrity of financial information.
• Assist with the design, implementation, and monitoring of finance systems for new business areas.
• Represent Finance on projects and business change initiatives where required.
• Support the monitoring and enhancement of internal controls and risk management processes.
• Maintain accurate accounting records for Scottish Friendly and its subsidiaries.
• Act as a key point of contact for external auditors and support audit activity.

Skills

Transactional accounting

Financial reporting

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Professional qualification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Location: Glasgow (2 days in office 3 at home)
Salary: £42,000-£51,000 DOE plus excellent benefits

Tenure: 12 months Fixed Term Contract
Reports to: Finance Manager

Join Scottish Friendly as an Operational Accountant

We are looking for a proactive and detail-oriented Operational Accountant to join our Finance team. This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified accountant, or qualified by experience, to play a key role in maintaining the financial integrity of the business and supporting the continued development of our finance function.

Working closely with colleagues across Finance and the wider business, you will contribute to the delivery of accurate financial reporting, robust financial controls, and efficient financial processes. This role offers excellent exposure across multiple areas of the organisation and the opportunity to be involved in finance-related projects and business initiatives.

What You'll Be Doing

As an Operational Accountant, you will:

• Support the development and maintenance of a strong financial and governance framework across the business.
• Ensure the accurate and efficient processing of financial transactions, including premiums, claims, and expenses.
• Deliver accurate and timely month-end reporting, including journal preparation, balance sheet reconciliations, financial analysis, and management reporting.
• Maintain robust financial controls and support continuous improvement initiatives within the finance function.
• Partner with finance and operational stakeholders to ensure the integrity of financial information.
• Assist with the design, implementation, and monitoring of finance systems for new business areas.
• Represent Finance on projects and business change initiatives where required.
• Support the monitoring and enhancement of internal controls and risk management processes.
• Maintain accurate accounting records for Scottish Friendly and its subsidiaries.
• Act as a key point of contact for external auditors and support audit activity.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines strong technical accounting knowledge with excellent communication and organisational skills.

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified through experience.
• Experience of managing transactional processes and financial reporting within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to understand complex financial processes and transaction flows.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Commercial awareness and strong business acumen.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Previous experience in an accounting role within the financial services sector. (insurance would be a bonus!)