Assistant Financial Accountant (Crawley, GB)

Unlocking Your Financial Accounting Potential at UK Power Networks

Are you an ambitious and numerate individual looking to launch or advance your career in financial accounting? UK Power Networks (UKPN), the UK's largest electricity distributor, presents a compelling opportunity for an Assistant Financial Accountant to join their esteemed Finance Directorate in Crawley.

This permanent role offers a structured path for growth, reporting directly to the Financial Accounting Manager. It's an ideal stepping stone for those with a keen interest in financial controls and a desire to gain hands-on experience within a large, impactful commercial environment.

Advantages for Your Career Path:

• Foundational Experience: This position provides invaluable practical experience in key financial processes, including month-end reconciliations, balance sheet integrity, intercompany transactions, and the maintenance of financial controls. You'll be directly contributing to the accurate and timely financial operations of a leading utility company.
• Professional Development: As a trainee accountant role, UKPN demonstrates a commitment to your learning and development. You'll be supported by experienced professionals, encouraging you to question, understand, and develop your financial acumen.
• Attractive Remuneration and Benefits: Beyond a competitive salary dependent on your experience, this role includes a 7.5% bonus. The comprehensive benefits package further enhances your overall compensation, featuring:
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional reservist leave for those eligible.
  • A generous personal pension plan with significant employer contributions (8% or 10% matched to your 4% or 5% contribution).
  • Various cost-saving schemes such as Season Ticket Loans, Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing.
  • Supportive services like Occupational Health, an Employee Assistance Programme, and discounted gym memberships.
• Work-Life Balance: After a probationary period, you’ll benefit from a blended working model, allowing for 3 days in the office and 2 days remote, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
• Impactful Organisation: UKPN plays a critical role in powering the UK, contributing significantly to the nation's net-zero ambitions. Working here means being part of an organisation that is vital to society and committed to sustainability.
• Recognition and Culture: UKPN is consistently recognized for its excellence, being a Top 25 Best Big Company to Work For and holding Investors in People's highest Platinum status. This speaks to a supportive and high-performing work environment.

Key Considerations for Aspiring Candidates:

• Numerate Foundation: A strong academic background in numerate subjects (demonstrated by GCSEs, A-levels, or undergraduate/graduate studies) is essential.
• Reconciliation and Processing Skills: You should possess some experience in performing reconciliations or processing significant volumes of transactional data.
• Accounting Fundamentals: A solid understanding of double-entry bookkeeping, whether gained through formal study or practical experience, is required.
• IT Proficiency: Excellent Microsoft Excel skills are a must, with the ability to analyze data and interpret financial information. Familiarity with SAP is also a key requirement.
• Proactive and Driven Mindset: The ideal candidate will be motivated, eager to learn, and possess the tenacity to delve into financial data to ensure accuracy. You should be comfortable working on your own initiative and be receptive to rapid learning and development.
• Team Player: The ability to collaborate effectively and build strong working relationships with colleagues both within and outside the finance department is crucial.
• Attention to Detail: Rigour in your approach to financial tasks and a commitment to resolving discrepancies promptly will be key to success.

This role offers a fantastic opportunity to build a strong foundation in financial accounting within a stable and forward-thinking organization. If you are driven, detail-oriented, and seeking to contribute to a company that powers the nation, this could be your next career move.