Financial Accountant

We have ambitious goals and plans, there has never been a more exciting time to join the team as we gear up to 2025 and the opening of our Heart of Africa development and overnight accommodation, The Reserve., As a senior member of the Finance team, we're looking for an experienced, qualified Financial Accountant to lead on producing all statutory financial reports, taxation requirements, treasury management and become a key partner in forthcoming system implementations, as we embark on a significant period of change. Personable, adaptable, thrives in a changing environment, with the confidence to challenge the status quo, you will also take responsibility for leading the Payroll and Cash Office teams. This really is a fantastic opportunity to take on a new challenge here at the UK's biggest and best zoo. The Role

• Preparation of annual consolidated financial statements and individual company accounts for all group companies, with the ability to consolidate and de-consolidate complex financial information.
• Preparation and posting of accurate and timely monthly management information to support the production of the monthly management reporting for an organisation with a budgeted annual income of £80m+ and expenditure of circa £70m+.
• Responsible for balance sheet reconciliation and reporting, including capital expenditure and the fixed asset register.
• Responsible for daily cash forecasting and treasury management, minimising the borrowing requirement and maximising interest return on deposits, while ensuring compliance with any financing covenants.
• Critical in financial reporting, maintaining and effective internal controls environment and compliance with all charity and statutory accounting legislation.
• Management of the finance facilities (up to £50m) together with accounting for all financial instruments.
• Support and work closely with the Systems Accountant in the continual development of finance and reporting systems (Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, JET reporting and integration with EPOS, Ticketing, Hotel and other commercial systems as required.)
• Support the Payroll Team and work closely with the People Team in developing the payroll, time and attendance and HR systems to support the payroll function and improved working practices and operations across site.
• Direct management of the Payroll team, who process payroll for up to 1200 employees (circa £28m per annum).
• Direct management of the Cash Office team, who reconcile both electronic and cash receipts and sales through the web shop, with a value of £65m per annum.
• Management of a £200m fixed asset register with an NBV of circa £120m, including CAPEX of up to £30m p.a.
• Supporting the annual budget process across all group companies, with approximately 100 cost centres.
  
  A qualified chartered accountant (ICAEW, ACCA or CIMA).
• Experience in leading and managing a team of Finance professionals. Prior management of a Payroll team is desirable.
• A confident and personable approach, able to influence others with lived experience and knowledge.
• An expert in their field, able to advise on statutory changes and the impact of this to Chester Zoo.
• The ability to adapt to evolving priorities and objectives; confident to make decisions and support your team in operational changes.
• Experience of producing consolidated management and statutory accounts with detailed knowledge of financial reporting Charity SORP, FRS102 and UK GAAP.
• A strong understanding of direct and indirect taxation, particularly in a charity context, including detailed knowledge of VAT, with particular reference to partial exemption.
• Detailed knowledge of Gift Aid and Gift Aid compliance.
• Experience of understanding the wider insurances required for a complex organisation.
• An excellent knowledge of PAYE and employee benefits including National Minimum Wage, Pensions and Salary Sacrifice.
• Ability to understand the flow of data between multiple IT systems and the impact they will have on financial accounts and management information.
• Demonstrable ability to work with external peers and professional advisers, with a track record of maintaining personal professional development.
• Experience of working in a charity environment would be an advantage, with the ability to balance achieving commercial and financial goals while delivering on the charitable objects and mission.
This role is subject to an Experian background check, which will include a basic DBS check, adverse financial check and identification check.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work? Well, where do we start? Here goes We're a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place. As the UK's biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there's always lots going on here. We're an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and up to 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us on our exciting journey.


• Permanent opportunity
• 40 hours per week, worked 8.30am - 5pm, Monday Friday. Some flexibility may be accommodated.
• A salary of £53,038.58 per annum
• We're a zoo first organisation, proud to call our 128 acres of beautiful surroundings our office. We empower our team to work in the smartest way possible to allow them to feel connected and get the job done.
Hybrid working is available in this role; 2 days per week can be spent remotely in line with our Hybrid Working Policy.
• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays
• Annual holiday buy / sell scheme
• Staff pass so that you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks