Senior Accountant - Financial Reporting (Payments & Operations)

Next; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK retailer is looking for a talented Senior Accountant - Financial Reporting to join their Payments & Operations Finance team. This role involves overseeing complex reconciliations and providing cash flow forecasts. The ideal candidate will have a relevant accounting qualification and a strong background in financial operations. Benefits include competitive salary, performance-based bonuses, and various employee discounts.

Benefits

25% off most NEXT products

Company performance based bonus

Sharesave scheme

On-site nursery

Discounts at partner brands

Qualifications

• 3-5 years post-qualification experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of accounting principles.
• Proven expertise in complex reconciliations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations ensuring data accuracy.
• Drive monthly balance sheet forecasting process.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts with variance analysis.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

Job Description

About the role:

Role: Senior Accountant - Financial Reporting (Payments & Operations)

Location: Leicester

Salary: Competitive plus bonus & benefits

Help shape the future of finance at one of the UK's leading retailers.

We're looking for a talented and detail-driven Senior Accountant - Financial Reporting to join our Payments & Operations Finance team at Next PLC. Reporting directly to the Financial Controller, you'll play a pivotal role in overseeing complex balance sheet reconciliations and producing accurate, forward-looking cash flow forecasts across a multi-billion-pound portfolio. This is a high-impact role that requires both analytical precision and strategic insight.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of balance sheet reconciliations (with a focus on creditors), ensuring data accuracy and resolving variances.
• Drive the monthly balance sheet forecasting process and provide key insights to support senior decision-makers.
• Monitor and manage daily cash positions during critical reporting periods (half and full year-end).
• Prepare short, medium, and long-term cash flow forecasts with clear variance analysis.
• Collaborate with wider finance teams to understand supplier and customer trends affecting cash flow.
• Continuously improve reconciliation processes and controls, driving efficiencies and best practices.
• Support month-end and year-end financial close, ensuring clean, audit-ready records.
• Conduct ad-hoc financial analysis and scenario modelling to support business planning.

About you

• Qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with 3-5 years post-qualification experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of accounting principles, balance sheet structure, and financial controls.
• Proven expertise in complex reconciliations, cash flow forecasting, and working capital management.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a meticulous eye for detail.
• Confident communicator with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly and concisely.
• Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Excel; experience with data analysis/reporting tools is a plus.
• A proactive, adaptable, and results-oriented mindset.

#LI-DC1

About Us

You know Next, but did you know we're a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We're the UK's 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we're the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it's now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we've gone global!

About the Team

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email [e-mail] (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.