Job Title: Financial AccountantLocation: St Albans, HertfordshireType: Contract (Until March 2026 with strong potential for permanent role)Salary: Competitive (Dependent on Experience)Hybrid Working: 3 days per week in the office, 2 days remoteAbout Us:We are a leading educational institution in St Albans, dedicated to providing excellent learning experiences. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are looking for a Financial Accountant to join our dynamic finance team. This position offers an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, professionally qualified individual to contribute to the college's financial health and support key projects.Key Responsibilities:

Preparation of Year-End Financial Statements: Ensuring accurate and timely reporting in line with accounting standards.
Financial Returns: Preparing various financial returns for stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
Fixed Assets & WIP Accounting: Managing £100m worth of planned projects, including fixed assets and work-in-progress accounting.
Cash & Treasury Management: Overseeing cash flow, working capital, and treasury management to ensure financial liquidity.
Balance Sheet Reconciliations: Completing complex accounting and reconciliations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial regulations.
Flexible Support: Assisting with the preparation of management accounts and providing financial insights as required.
Finance System Implementation: Helping to implement and streamline the new finance system (Iplicit) for improved efficiency and reporting.

Key Skills and Experience:

Professional Qualification: ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent is essential.
Experience: Proven experience in financial and statutory reporting, ideally within the education or public sector.
Technical Skills: Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial returns, and balance sheet management.
Complex Accounting: Ability to manage complex reconciliations and financial transactions with attention to detail.
Financial Software: Experience with accounting systems (knowledge of Iplicit or similar is a plus).
Cash Management: Proven track record in managing cash, working capital, and treasury functions.
Adaptability: Willingness to be flexible and support a wide range of accounting activities, including management accounts.
Start Within Two Weeks: You must be available to start within a maximum of two weeks from the offer.

Why Join Us?

Hybrid Working: Flexibility with 3 days per week in the office and 2 days remote.
Excellent Benefits Package: Including Local Government Pension Scheme, enhanced annual leave, and more.
Professional Development: Opportunities for growth and training, with a potential transition to a permanent role beyond March 2026.
Immediate Start: Potential for an immediate start for the right candidate.
Impactful Work: Play a key role in supporting our ambitious projects and the financial health of the college.

What you need to do nowIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

Hays EA is a trading division of Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited and acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk