Assistant Financial Accountant
6 months Fixed Term Contract
Based; Greenbridge (hybrid working 3 days in office and 2 from home)

The Role

At WHSmith our people are at the heart of everything we do. They are the ones that go the extra mile for our customers. The ones that enable our growth.

We now have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Financial Accountant to join our Finance team at our Support Centre in Swindon for a 6 month Fixed Term Contract.

The main purpose of an Assistant Financial Accountant is to play a key role in ensuring the integrity of WHSmith’s International business’ accounts.

What you will be doing

• Assisting with the management of all capital expenditure accounting across our international stores, including liaising with Commercial, Construction and IT teams to maintain and enhance processes for capturing and tracking capital projects, against board approved budgets
• Supporting the International Finance team to ensure the Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss for each of our International locations are fully controlled and reconciled on a monthly basis, specifically in relation to fixed assets
• Supporting the production of budgeting and forecasting of capital expenditure and depreciation charges, for the Cash Flow and Balance Sheets for our International subsidiaries
• Assisting the Financial Accountant supporting the year end audit and with production of year end statutory accounts and supporting schedules
• Assisting with the refinement and documentation of finance processes

What we are looking for

• We are looking for someone that has experience of a finance environment, either willing to study towards or already part qualified accountant. Experience within the retail industry would prove advantageous; however an interest in International Retail is vital
• You’ll have excellent analytical skills and a strong user of Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, X-Lookups and Sum Ifs
• You must have a keen eye for detail and accuracy, to ensure all financial data is recorded and summarised in a logical and informative manner appropriate for a variety of audiences
• You will be an excellent communicator who can engage, communicate and influence with both financial and non financial managers
• Your planning and organisational skills will be strong and you’ll be able to prioritise a broad range of activities
• You must have the ability to understand and articulate sometimes complex matters

How we reward our teams

• Hybrid working model from home and in the office
• 4pm Friday finish
• Flexible Working
• 24 days holiday, plus your Birthday off, plus Bank Holidays with an opportunity to buy extra days holiday
• Family friendly leave
• Company Pension Scheme
• Sharesave Scheme
• Annual Bonus based on company and Personal Performance
• Competitive salary
• Staff discount card for stores and online

About us
Celebrating over 230 years, we’re proud to have grown and evolved into a globally recognised brand present in over 30 countries around the world, and we’re proud to be that air of familiarity people love and trust on their journey, both in life and through life. As a diverse group of over 12,000 colleagues, we are all on the same journey to a better business through our commitments to our planet, people and the communities we serve.

WHSmith have occupied our place as the Hub of the High Street and in our customers’ hearts since 1792. Across our diverse estate of c.525 stores on UK high streets, with our wide-ranging store sizes and formats, we sell a large range of products including stationery, greeting cards, art and craft, newspapers, magazines, books and drinks. We are an ambitious team that thrives on pace, collaboration and innovation resulting in a real entrepreneurial culture.

WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.