Senior Pension Fund Accountant- FTC

XPS Group; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual discretionary bonus

25 days holiday

Pension matching

Healthcare plans

Life assurance

Retailer discounts

Flexible benefits scheme

Employee assistance

Digital GP service

Volunteer days with pay

Referral bonuses

Job summary

XPS Group is seeking a Senior Pension Fund Accountant in Belfast to manage a client portfolio and end‑to‑end pension fund accounts. The role is a 13‑month fixed term maternity contract with hybrid working arrangements, ideal for a qualified accountant with strong pensions experience.

You will prepare and review year‑end statements, statements of investments, and collaborate with auditors and managers across UK locations. ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualification preferred, Proficient Office tools required.

Qualifications

• Experience in pension fund accounts and year-end reporting.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel/Word/Outlook).
• Qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of pension fund clients.
• Prepare and review year‑end pension fund accounts within deadlines.
• Prepare Trustee Report & Accounts for large schemes.
• Reconciling investments and cash books; liaise with auditors.
• Prepare SA970 tax returns and ONS returns.
• Keep time recording accurate for chargeable work.

Skills

Pension accounting experience

Communication skills

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

Microsoft Office

Aviary (Profund Aviary)

Job description

Location: Belfast

Senior Pension Fund Accountant

Location: Belfast

Employment Type: 13 Months Fixed Term Contract - Maternity

Grade: Senior Consultant

Hybrid

REQ003749

About XPS Group

XPS Group is a prominent and growing UK consultancy and administration firm within the pensions and insurance sectors. As a FTSE 250 company with over 2000 employees, we leverage expertise alongside advanced technology to serve over 1,400 pension schemes and their sponsors. Our goal is to foster a workplace where diverse talents thrive.

About The Role

We are looking for a professional, friendly, proactive and well‑organised Senior Pension Fund Accountant to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for a fully qualified accountant, ideally ACCA, ACA or CIMA, with strong experience in pension fund accounts and a commitment to delivering high‑quality client service.

In this role, you will take sole responsibility for your own portfolio of clients, ensuring that year‑end pension fund accounts are prepared, reviewed and completed accurately within statutory deadlines. You will play a key role in maintaining high standards of financial reporting, managing priorities effectively, and building strong working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

You will work closely with colleagues and contacts across a number of UK locations, including Belfast, Middlesbrough, Edinburgh and Reading, so strong communication and collaboration skills are essential. While knowledge of the Aviary accounting system is not required, it would be a useful advantage.

This role would suit someone who is confident working independently, takes ownership of their workload, and is able to balance technical accounting expertise with a positive, approachable and team‑focused attitude.

Key Responsibilities

• Promoting and adhering to the XPS workplace values.
• Preparing pension scheme Trustee Report & Accounts (large schemes with complex investments including derivatives).
• Reconciling investment transactions.
• Preparing all the necessary working papers & reconciliations of the financial statements.
• Liaising with auditors and investment managers.
• Preparing self‑assessment tax returns (SA970).
• Preparing Office of National Statistics (ONS) returns
• Reconciling cash books and pensioner payrolls.
• Updating and reviewing procedures and templates used by the team.
• Reviewing other team members work & peer reviewing schemes ready for audit.
• Completing the year end accounts for new onboarded clients.
• Providing responses to clients or auditors on behalf of other team members, when they are away from the office.
• Providing expert advice to pensions accounts queries, keeping abreast of technical and legislative developments within the pensions accounts industry.
• Ensuring company policies and working procedures are implemented and adhered to by self.
• Forging strong working relationships with other teams in order to provide a total service to our clients. E.g. Administration, Payroll, Client Banking, Actuaries.
• Ensuring the accurate updating of time recording system (Virtual Office) for both chargeable and non‑chargeable activities.
• Helping other members of the team with their workloads.

Essential

Your Profile:

• Right to work in the UK.
• A proven accounting background gained within either an accounting practice or a third‑party pension’s provider. Experience should include a broad knowledge of accounting techniques including reconciliation, year‑end processes etc.
• Previous Pensions Fund Accounting (PFA) experience is essential.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel, Word and Outlook

Desirable

• To have successfully attained a recognised accountancy qualification, e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA, etc
• Experience of Profund Aviary would be of advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities, able to forge strong working relationships with colleagues and clients.
• A client focused approach
• Flexible approach to work pressures.
• Continuing to augment technical pensions accounting knowledge as well as keeping abreast of legislative changes.
• A high degree of professional integrity.

What We Offer

• competitive salary
• annual discretionary bonus
• 25 days’ holiday with buy/sell flexibility
• pension matching
• healthcare plans
• life assurance
• retailer discounts
• flexible benefits scheme
• employee assistance
• digital GP service
• volunteering events with paid volunteer days available
• Referral bonuses are offered for introducing suitable candidates to XPS

Equal Opportunities Statement

XPS Group is committed to diversity and equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or belief. As a Disability Confident employer, we ensure accessible and supportive work settings for all employees.

Eligibility

Any employment offer made will be conditional upon you satisfying DBS Disclosure checks, Employment or educational references, Satisfactory credit checks and eligibility to work in the UK before an offer can be made. XPS Group is not able to provide sponsorship to employees.

Who Are We

To find out more please visit: www.xpsgroup.com