Interim Project Financial Accountant
Grafton Banks Finance are delighted to be partnering with a growing PE backed services company based in Crawley, West Sussex to recruit an Interim Projects Financial Accountant. This is an interim role for up to 6 months to support the finance function as the business grow. Reporting into the Finance Director the Interim Projects Financial Accountant will lead a series of finance improvement initiatives and focus on strengthening financial controls, improving month-end processes, cleansing legacy financial data, supporting reporting enhancements, and developing more efficient finance processes.The successful candidate will combine strong technical accounting knowledge with excellent project management, process improvement and advanced Excel skills. They will work closely with the Finance team and other departments to deliver lasting improvements that will lay a strong and robust foundation for scalable organisational growth. This is a high-impact, hands-on role which requires a qualified accountant with years of relevant experience, who is used to working in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about improving the accounting and financial reporting infrastructure of a growing business.The interim finance professional is expected to work independently, be self-motivated and have excellent communication and teamwork skills.Duties and Responsibilities will include: Balance Sheet Reconciliation ProjectDesign and implement a complete Balance Sheet reconciliation framework across all legal entities within the Group.Produce Balance Sheet reconciliations for all nominal ledger accounts.Investigate reconciliation differences and identify required accounting adjustments. Prepare and post journals required to resolve discrepancies.Document the composition of each balance together with supporting commentary. Cross-reference supporting documentation including contracts and agreements where applicable.Assess the risk profile of each reconciliation and recommend an appropriate review frequency (i.e. monthly, quarterly, annually).Develop procedures and train Finance team members to maintain reconciliations as part of business-as-usual activities.Accounts Receivable Improvement ProjectLead the review and clean-up of historic Accounts Receivable balances.Work closely with the Senior Credit Controller to:Allocate legacy transactions.Resolve aged balances.Process write-offs and write-backs where appropriate.Monitor the impact on bad debt provisionsRedesign the monthly Trade Debtors and Bad Debt file and produce clear process notes to facilitate ongoing monthly file production.Financial Reporting ImprovementsSupport the final implementation of the new monthly reporting pack.Assist with testing Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow reporting.Consolidate financial information from multiple companies.Prepare reporting files using accounting software outputs and Excel.Support production of monthly Board reporting packs.Identify opportunities to improve reporting efficiency and accuracy.Process ImprovementReview end-to-end billing and Accounts Receivable processes.Map existing finance processes and identify inefficiencies.Develop recommendations ranging from quick operational improvements to wider technology and systems enhancements.Work with Finance, Operations and Technology teams to evaluate improvement opportunities.Support implementation of agreed process improvements.Document all new procedures and ensure effective knowledge transfer.Month-End OptimisationReview existing month-end close processes.Identify opportunities to reduce reporting timelines.Introduce stronger financial controls and standardised procedures.Help create additional capacity within the Finance team for commercial analysis and business partnering.Finance Team DevelopmentDeliver practical Excel training to Finance colleagues covering:Pivot TablesXLOOKUPSUMIFSIF, AND and OR functionsData validationCoach team members on improved finance processes and best practice.The successful finance interim professional will hold the following skills required for the job:Qualifications & Technical SkillsQualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)Several years of post-qualification experience in a technical Management Accounting roleProven track record of owning project-based accounting work and finance improvement initiatives, completing to a high standard on a timely basisIdeally with experience in a SME or Private-Equity backed, fast-paced environmentExperience of producing high quality Balance Sheet reconciliationsAdvanced Excel skillsPersonal AttributesCommercially minded – able to think beyond the numbers and quickly identify and implement efficiency savings and best practiceConfident communicator (verbal and written) with the credibility and interpersonal skills to influence at all levels, including senior leadership and junior team membersStrong analytical thinking with high attention to detail and accuracyProactive self-starter who takes initiative and thrives in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environmentCalm under pressure with strong time management and organisational skillsDemonstrates integrity and confidentiality when handling sensitive commercial or financial informationSound commercial judgement and decision-making skillsCurrent full driving licenceDue to the interim nature of this job opportunity you will need to be readily available to start work. You will be offered hybrid working and a competitive salary.
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