Financial Accountant

Financial Accountant - Payroll & Technical Accounting Global Retail | Fast-Paced Retail Business Hybrid West London - 2 - 3 days in office 6-Month Contract Day Rate Umbrella PAYE: £250 - £300 The Opportunity We are working with a well-established and Global retail business who are looking for a Financial Accountant to join their Finance team on an initial 6-month contract. This is a hands-on role within a busy Finance function, ideal for someone who enjoys getting into the detail, taking ownership and ensuring the numbers are accurate, well controlled and delivered on time. A key part of the role will be payroll accounting, alongside broader financial accounting and month-end responsibilities. You'll need to be comfortable working with payroll data, understanding the accounting behind it and ensuring payroll-related balances are accurately reflected within the ledger. What You'll Be Doing Taking ownership of key areas of the month-end close, ensuring deadlines are met and financial information is accurate Preparing and posting journals, accruals, prepayments and other month-end adjustments Completing detailed balance sheet reconciliations and investigating and resolving outstanding items Taking ownership of payroll accounting, including payroll journals and reconciliation of payroll-related control accounts Reconciling payroll reports back to the general ledger and investigating any discrepancies Accounting for PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and other payroll-related balances Supporting the review and reconciliation of payroll accruals, payments and associated balance sheet accounts Working closely with Payroll, HR and Finance to resolve queries and ensure payroll is accurately reflected in the accounts Supporting the preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reporting Investigating variances and unusual movements, getting to the root cause and following issues through to resolution Supporting cashbook and bank reconciliations where required Ensuring strong financial controls are maintained across the Finance function Supporting audit requirements and providing accurate supporting information when required Identifying opportunities to improve processes, controls and ways of working Working collaboratively with the wider Finance team and getting involved wherever needed About You We're looking for a hands-on Financial Accountant who is technically strong, detail-focused and comfortable taking ownership in a fast-paced environment. You will ideally have: Proven experience within a Financial Accountant / Management Accountant / similar technical accounting role Strong experience across month-end, journals, accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations Good hands-on payroll accounting experience, this is an important part of the role Experience reconciling payroll to the general ledger and investigating discrepancies A good understanding of PAYE, National Insurance, pensions and payroll-related accounting Strong bank and balance sheet reconciliation skills Excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach The ability to investigate issues rather than simply identify them Confidence working to tight deadlines in a busy Finance environment Strong Excel skills and good experience working with finance systems A proactive, practical approach and the confidence to take ownership Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with Finance, Payroll, HR and wider business stakeholders Experience within Audit, retail, hospitality, FMCG or another high-volume environment would be advantageous. The Opportunity This is a great opportunity for an experienced Financial Accountant to join a well-known, fast-paced business where you will have genuine responsibility across the Finance function. If you are someone who enjoys technical accounting, getting into the detail and making sure things are right, and you have strong payroll accounting experience, we'd love to hear from you. Initial 6-month contract. BH37594