Overview

Our client Scottish Power are currently recruiting for a Group Accountant to join the team on a contract basis based in Glasgow City Centre. This would be a 12 month contract role and hybrid. We are looking for a fully qualified accountant for this role.

Job Purpose Statement

Support the Group Accounting Manager (GAM) as appropriate in performing the key tasks for the Group Financial Accounting (GFA) department as follows:

• Business Processes: Contribute to ensuring that any existing business processes, new business processes and any technical accounting developments which have financial implications for the group accounts are accurately reflected in the general ledger and related accounting models.
• Ledger management, accounting and reporting: Help ensure that appropriate ledger structures across the ScottishPower group (SPW) are in place, that technical accounting developments are incorporated where appropriate. Posting centralised transactions accurately and timeously.
• Controls: Implement centralised control processes for the general ledger and related accounting modules for SPW to ensure that accurate financial information flows into the Iberdrola group (IBE) reporting and is compliant with all relevant accounting and legal requirements.

Accountability Statements

• 1. Business processes
  • 1.1. Support the GAM in working with business and business Control teams to help ensure that any existing or new business processes which have financial implications for the SPW accounts are accurately reflected in the general ledger and related accounting models by:
  • • Ensure a good working understanding of the relevant business systems feeding into the general ledger and related accounting models.
  • • Challenge and influence performers of existing and proposed business processes to identify and deliver efficiency benefits.
  • • Assisting with specific process change initiatives/projects and ensuring that issues are escalated to management where appropriate;
  • • Implementing process changes, helping ensure that all business users of any new processes are adequately briefed and trained;
  • • Updating processes and procedures documents clearly and concisely and maintaining it thereafter.
  • • Monitor the success of process changes post-implementation and take action as appropriate
• 2. Ledger management, accounting and reporting
  • 2.1. Assist SPW divisional Control teams in:
  • • Creating appropriate ledger structures ("transactional master data") and review proposed changes before submission to IBE Control
  • • ensuring that all analytical elements within the system are being used correctly to optimise reporting capability;
  • • ealing with queries as required through the departmental "mailbox";
  • 2.2. Maintain and demonstrate a good technical accounting knowledge to help ensure that:
  • • any developments are accurately and efficiently reflected in the general ledger and related accounting models;
  • • the implications of any changes to the financial statements are fully understood and clearly explained to management;
  • 2.3. Post specific centralised transactions, as defined by the IBE Control model, including certain fixed asset and payroll related transactions, ensuring that the postings are accurate, timely and that the associated processes are efficient;
  • 2.4. Prepare designated statutory disclosure information accurately and efficiently within group timescales.
• 3. Controls
  • 3.1. Implement specific control processes for the general ledger and related accounting modules for the SPW group to help ensure that accurate financial information flows into internal and IBE reporting by:
  • • Analysing key accounting behaviours across SPW through preparation of a monthly "dashboard" report metrics and taking action as appropriate to resolve any issues;
  • • Perform ongoing reviews of key accounts across the group e.g. aged GRNs, manual provisions and accruals, fixed assets including those under construction and ensure the completeness of bad debt postings;
  • • Prepare group and entity level Balance Sheet analytical reviews where appropriate;
  • • Perform system-based controls e.g. control user access to the financial systems and the opening of new accounts across SPW and ensure that system interfaces run successfully where appropriate;
• 3.2. Assist with the external audit process for the SPW group and ensure that any designated audit deliverables are prepared accurately and timeously;

General

• 4.1. Contribute to the performance of the department i.e. helping to deliver the department's objectives and responding positively to changes in scope, processes and requirements as the department evolves.
• 4.2. Demonstrate a mindset of continuous improvement and look to make process improvements and deliver efficiencies
• 4.3. Build relationships (within and outwith own business area) and take a cooperative approach to resolving issues, ensuring the efficiency of processes and responding to queries as the need arises.
• 4.4. Support the Group Accounting Managers as required and participate in cross-business and cross-functional projects and meetings, contributing to the overall achievement of departmental objectives.
• 4.5. Where appropriate, manage assistant accountants, ensuring that they contribute effectively towards meet the department's objectives.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Qualified accountant with demonstrable technical accounting skills;
• Be highly numerate with strong analytical skills and the ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to stakeholders.
• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of SPW markets and regulatory framework.
• Influencing and interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively and constructively challenge if required, across the organisation.
• "Hands on" experience in working within the SAP platform within SPW and a good working knowledge of the statutory reporting process.
• Delivery focus and high level of resilience to deal with the continually changing demands and time-pressures of the role.
• Pro-active person who:
  • anticipates issues and problems and puts in place effective strategies to manage these.
  • seeks continuous improvement and works to high standards while fulfilling day-to-day objectives

Minimum Criteria (mandatory)

• Qualified accountant with demonstrable technical accounting skills;
• Be highly numerate with strong analytical skills and the ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to stakeholders.
• Good commercial awareness and an understanding of SPW markets and regulatory framework.
• Influencing and interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively and constructively challenge if required, across the organisation.