Graduate Trainee

London | £40,000-£45,000 + excellent discretionary bonus | on-site working

Robert Half Financial Services are recruiting for an Assistant Accountant to join the finance team of a highly successful quantitative investment firm in London.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone at the beginning of their accounting career. Alongside the fundamentals of management accounts, financial reporting and reconciliations, you'll get exposure to automation, financial systems, data and process improvement within a highly analytical environment.

The Role

You'll take responsibility for a broad range of accounting activities, including:

• Supporting the production of monthly management accounts and financial statements
• Preparing accurate reporting for internal and external stakeholders
• Analysing financial information to support decision-making
• Assisting with general ledger accounting, journals and reconciliations
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
• Providing occasional cover across AP and AR
• Supporting audit requirements and maintaining appropriate financial controls
• Identifying opportunities to automate and improve recurring finance processes
• Using tools such as Excel, Python, SQL or VBA to improve data handling and reporting

About You

This would suit someone who has recently started their career in accounting and wants considerably broader exposure than a traditional junior accounting position.

You'll ideally have:

• A strong mathematical or analytical background, whether at school or university
• Some practical exposure to accounting or audit, whether through employment, an internship or similar experience
• An interest in working towards ACCA or CIMA
• Strong Excel skills and an interest in using technology to make finance more efficient
• Exposure to Python, SQL, VBA or similar tools would be particularly useful
• Strong numerical and analytical ability
• Excellent attention to detail
• The confidence to work with both technical and non-technical colleagues, including senior stakeholders within the company
• A genuine interest in accountancy - this is not a bridge to front office roles

You don't need to arrive as a finished accountant. More important is that you're numerate, intellectually curious, conscientious and keen to learn.

What's On Offer

• £40,000-£45,000 base salary
• Excellent discretionary bonus
• Opportunity to pursue a professional accounting qualification
• Exposure to accounting, financial analysis, automation and systems from an early stage
• A role within a sophisticated, technology-led investment environment, working as part of a top tier finance team with significant opportunities for development and progression
• Genuine scope to improve processes rather than simply inherit them