Assistant Accountant

Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We’re an organisation where people matter. When you’re part of our team, you matter to us, and you matter to millions.

We're continuing to build a more diverse and inclusive organisation which is representative of the passengers we serve. To do this, it is essential we become a more open, diverse and inclusive organisation, harnessing the skills and expertise of all our people and attracting the best talent to help us have a safe, accessible railway for everyone.

We believe that investing in our people is one of the most effective ways of improving the safety, reliability and efficiency of the railway.

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone!

We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

Accounting Services is a central function which is part of Group Finance. We add value to the business by carrying out activities on their behalf to generate economies of scale, compliance and best practice. The team operates in a supportive environment, with good opportunities for development.

What will your day look like?

The role of Assistant Accountant is a multifaceted role in that you will undertake various duties including (but not limited to):

• Produce period actuals and forecasts for budget holders, including accruals, transfers and adjustments. Issue reports with key variance commentaries to support the business areas.

• Identify and eliminate process and reporting defects or error through LEAN management and continuous improvement methodologies, instilling a right first time approach for all accounting services activities

• Share best practice to deliver consistent, standardised and fully documented accounting services processes

• Undertake all accounting services activities in line with the Network Rail governance, promulgate awareness throughout the stakeholder base outlined through the finance regulations and procedures.

• Deliver all accounting and reporting services in line with service level agreements.

• Produce ad hoc analysis to support Network Rail’s performance in line with established KPIs.

• Collaborate and communicate with stakeholders to develop and maintain relationships that foster good team and customer relationships as measured by levels of customer satisfaction.

• Provide investment / project accounting services as required by the business areas.

Person Specification

The successful candidate for this role will be required to be/have: -

1. Working towards or member of a relevant professional body, (CIMA, ACCA, ACA, AAT)

2. Sufficient experience to fulfil the requirements of the role.

3. Advanced Excel skills and high-level numerical skills and ability to interpret data quickly.

4. Attention to detail

5. Experience of working in a customer focused environment.

6. React swiftly to customer requests and ability to proactively resolve issues.

7. Knowledge of current accounting standards

• 
  Vacancy Type: 1 x Permanent and 1 x 18-month Fixed Term, Full Time

• Location: Manchester

• Closing date: 26th April 2023 Late applications will not be accepted

• Interviews: W/C 1st May 2023 (The date may change according to business needs)

• Band & Salary: Band 5 – £21,580 - £25,000 per annum, plus benefits depending upon experience

What can we offer you in return?

We have a range of benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave entitlement, plus Bank Holidays and five volunteer days.

• My Benefits – our discounted online shopping site.

• A range of discounted offers including cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits.

• Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets.

• A range of pension schemes.

• Two weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community.

• Training, development and employee assistance programme available.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Drugs & Alcohol test: All prospective candidates offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.