Accounting Specialist

Job Description

Accounting Specialist

Sheffield, UK

Full-time, permanent

We are seeking an Accounting Specialist to join our Sheffield office on a full-time permanent basis to join our Fragomen Accounts team.

About us:

Fragomen is the world’s leading exclusive provider of immigration services. We are a firm of more than 6,200 immigration-focused professionals and staff spanning more than 60 offices worldwide. Immigration has been our sole focus for 70 years, and today we offer support in more than 170 countries. We are problem-solvers, innovators and established thought leaders in immigration, providing strategic immigration advice to a diverse range of clients from individuals to the world’s leading multinational corporations.

Fragomen’s professionals are respected thought leaders in the immigration field providing expertise to governments across the world including the US Congress, the UK Parliament, the European Union and the United Nations.

A career at Fragomen will provide you with the opportunity to work in an exciting environment for a broad range of clients, where no two days will be the same. You will face interesting challenges and you will work with dedicated, friendly and ambitious people, where providing exceptional client service is at the core of what we do. We are extremely proud of our diverse workforce at Fragomen and we are fully committed to providing equal opportunities.  We believe that our differences make us stronger.

About the team:

The Fragomen accounts team is based in Sheffield and manages the accounts for all offices within the EMEA region.

About the role:

The position will provide accounts and financial reporting support to our Fragomen EMEA offices. The successful candidate will ensure accounting tasks are completed ahead of internal and external deadlines whilst assisting in the development and maintenance of current procedures and workings to ensure that they are completed to the utmost accuracy and in a timely manner.

The role will help in supporting the varying departments within the finance team - including finance managers, management accountants and alongside our transactional teams: accounts payable, accounts receivable and the disbursements team.

In addition to the above, other key responsibilities will include:

• Assist in the month end process including the preparation of the management accounts and month end reports for the global management pack
• Prepare the completion of monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly VAT returns in line with local accounting policies
• Creating, posting and reviewing journals through account code analysis
• Assist in payroll approval and posting
• Perform reconciling bank accounts on a weekly basis
• Prepare and analyse balance sheet reconciliations
• Support the finance managers in year end statutory audits
• Provide coverage as and when needed for the transactional teams
• Work collaboratively to achieve results and process improvement
• Work collaboratively with the EMEA and US based finance teams
• Any other general administration and ad hoc reporting

About you:

The successful candidates will relevant experience in a similar role and have exceptional organisational skills, an understanding of how to communicate effectively and high attention to detail.

Preferable AAT, degree in Accounting and Finance or similar qualifications with future plans to study or are studying ACCA/CIMA/FCA.

You must have good IT skills with a strong understanding and evidence of using Excel.

Also required:

Client Service

• Plans workload and is able to meet deadlines and prioritise own work and support the team where necessary to prioritise theirs, taking into account delivery expectations and agreed client service standards
• Where required, acts as a point of contact to communicate with clients in a timely and professional manner to obtain information
• Undertakes and delivers work within agreed timescales and service standards without being prompted
• Develops strong working relationships with internal and external contacts and utilises all forms of communications in developing/strengthening relationships (i.e., email, phone, face to face) and can identify the appropriate method required
• Assists in the review/improvement of methods/procedures of managing day to day relationships

Productivity, Accountability and Efficiency

• Good eye for detail with ability to analysis root causes of issues
• Can work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Able to act under instruction with limited management
• Completes task within agreed timeframes / service standards

Communication

• Generates clear, well-organized written work-product internally and externally
• Able to effectively express oneself verbally in an articulate and polished manner
• Strong listening skills
• Uses communication skills to influence and achieve objectives

Teamwork and Personal Leadership

• Accepts responsibility for their work output
• Plays a key role within the team to promote an efficient and effective team culture
• Liaises with the Manager on workload and suggests improvements / solutions
• Adheres to the SRA Code of Conduct, FCPA and UK Bribery Act, in addition to any locally relevant legislation/guidelines as advised

Fragomen in Sheffield:
Our Sheffield office is based in the city centre with the added bonus of free on-site parking, as well as several public transport links close by. The office has approximately 400 people working collaboratively and creating a dynamic, positive environment with over 20 different languages being spoken. You can expect a great working environment and regular events such as Summer and Christmas parties, social and cultural events.

The Firm operates a hybrid working model, which incorporates a blend of in-person attendance as well as working from home – our aim being to fully leverage our remote working technology and provide a balance for our people in the way that they work.

Whether in the office or working remotely, we are proud of our team spirit and we like to reflect this in the way that we work and everything we do. Our Responsible Business Strategy (RBS) prioritises Fragomen’s social responsibility through one cross-cutting theme and five focus areas.. These focus areas include: Wellbeing, Diversity and Inclusion, Charity & Pro bono work, Social and Environmental & Sustainability. The RBS initiative offers great opportunities for everyone at Fragomen to get involved and help steer a variety of initiatives and activities at the Firm. These range from social events and activities, to regular wellbeing newsletters and diversity discussions.

Fragomen is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, ethnicity, heritage, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.