Financial Accountant

**Full Job Description**:
**We're on a mission to give our colleagues an amazing work/life balance**

**We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.**

**Job title: Financial Accountant (Trainee)**

**Location: Bolton - hybrid working**

**Salary: £25,000-£35,000 per annum depending on experience**

**Hours: 9-5 Monday-Friday**

**Reports to: Group Financial Accountant**

**Accountable to: Group Financial Controller, Group Financial Accountant, Director of Financial Controls**

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Trainee Financial Accountant**.**

**About the role**:
**The role allows the trainee in the team to develop and learn through their role on the team, as well as working towards completing a relevant finance qualification.**

**To support the Group Financial Controller and Group Financial Accountant to perform accurate and timely financial accounting, tax accounting and compliance of the group’s monthly and annual reporting obligations.**

**The role will work closely with the internal finance team to deliver the Group’s statutory accounts requirements and an efficient external audit process.**

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Statutory accounts and audit
- Assist with the production of statutory accounts for all legal entities in the Group.
- Assist with the production of corporation tax calculations and provisions for the statutory accounts.
- Provide supporting analysis and documentation for tax advisors for annual returns and other compliance.
- Work closely with the external auditors and internal finance teams to ensure the audit process runs as smoothly as possible in line with a strict timetable.

**Financial reporting & controls**
- Ensure all Shared Service Centre reports and Intercompany charges are reconciled and signed off monthly to month-end deadlines.
- Work closely with the Transaction Processes / SSC manager and wider team, to continually strive to improve processes, reporting and overall service to the Group.
- Continually work to develop and improve a strong control environment.
- To assist with the production of Group VAT returns.

**Compliance**
- To assist with the filing of all tax & financial requirements within statutory deadlines.
- Assist with the preparation and submission of Corporation Tax computations for subsidiaries and ensure ixbrl tagging is accurate and complete; and
- Ad-hoc compliance for Office of National Statistics.

**Miscellaneous**
- Undertake ad-hoc and unannounced internal audit checks of divisional files to ensure all divisional accounts are maintained up to date and reconciled at least monthly.
- Provide group cover as required.
- Communicate suggestions for increased efficiency within the department and/ or organisation.

**Standard responsibilities**:
There are several standard duties and responsibilities that all employees, irrespective of their role and level of seniority within OFG Group are expected to be familiar with and adhere to:

- Participates in an annual performance review programme
- Works, always, in accordance with the policies and procedures of the OFG Group and statutory regulations applicable to the Group.
- Observes, always, strict rules of confidentiality appropriate to the post.
- To always comply with the requirements of Health and Safety Regulations, to ensure their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues.
- OFG Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all employees to work in accordance with this.
- Undertakes other duties as assigned.

**Measures**:

- Measures against set objectives relevant to the role
- Set performance indicators
- Departmental Net Promoter Scores

**Experience, Skills & Qualifications**:
**Essential**
- Positive attitude as a trainee to learn and develop, contribute to the team and to work towards completing a professional finance qualification.
- Relevant financial accounting experience would be beneficial but not essential.
- Part-qualified finance qualification is also beneficial but not essential.
- Proven ability to priorities and manage workload.
- Ability to communicate and build relationships with people at different levels.
- Ability to review and change existing procedures to improve segregation of duties and internal controls.
- Advanced Excel.
- Experience of Access Dimensions would be advantageous, though not essential.
- Good system & analytical skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills

**Why join Outcomes First Group?**

**About the Group**

Outcomes First Group is the leading provider of specialist education in the UK. We exist to give neurodivergent children and young people access to a great education that caters to their specific needs, abilities and aspirations.

There are three brands in our Outcomes First family: Acorn Education, Options Autism and Momenta Connect.