Assistant Financial Accountant

Building Design Partnership; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job description

Full time, permanent contract.

Responsible to: Financial Reporting Manager

Supervised by: Group Financial Accountant

We are seeking an Assistant Financial Accountant to provide vital support to the Group Financial Accountant and Financial Reporting Manager based at the Manchester studio. The Assistant Financial Accountant will work across a range of areas with emphasis on the month end cycle (Prepayments, Depreciation, Accruals) and preparing VAT returns for all entities in the BDP Group. Duties include:

Financial Accounting

• Ensure the integrity of the accounting records, including the accuracy of all postings to the nominal ledger and ongoing maintenance for both tax and accounting purposes.
• Produce accrual and prepayment calculations each month across all group companies including Project related accruals.
• Produce repeating journal workings and monthly postings to ensure group costs are allocated across companies & offices appropriately.
• Prepare monthly Fixed Asset reconciliations and depreciation calculations.
• Prepare Loan interest schedules for use in accruals and make payments by required deadlines.
• Prepare monthly Gains / Losses entries for transactions in foreign currency.
• Prepare relevant Control Account reconciliations monthly to ensure balances are accurate including Prepayments, Accruals, Payroll Control Accounts and Suspense.
• Reconcile all Payroll related Balance Sheet Control Accounts monthly.
• Reconcile the monthly financial statements for BDP China, BDP Singapore and BDP Peru to local accounts produced by the external overseas accountants.
• Review balance sheets for each entity monthly providing commentary on large movements and further information if required in order for the company position to be fully understood.

VAT and Taxation

• Support the production of the BDP Group UK quarterly VAT returns including verification that both BDP and HMRC rules have been applied correctly.
• Prepare European VAT reclaims as necessary on a biannual basis.
• Prepare Irish VAT returns for BDP Ltd and BDP (Architects, Designers, Engineers) Ltd.
• Prepare the information to be submitted in overseas VAT returns or equivalent as follows:
• BDP Architectural Design Consulting (Shanghai) Co., Limited - monthly VAT returns.
• BDP Architecture Design Engineering Private Limited - monthly TDS and GST returns.
• BDP Rotterdam BV - quarterly BTW returns.
• BDP Canada Inc - quarterly GST/HST returns.
• BDP MENA Consulting Eng LLC - quarterly VAT returns.
• BDP Architects (Southeast Asia) Pte. Ltd - quarterly VAT returns.
• Quadrangle Design Ltd - monthly VAT returns.
• BDP Pattern Design Ltd - quarterly VAT returns.
• BDP Pattern Ltd Sucursal del Peru - monthly TDS and quarterly VAT returns.

Intercompany

• Review intercompany balances and interoffice documents each month.
• Arrange intergroup cash transfers monthly to settle balances.
• Review and post sundry invoices as required.

Management Accounts

• Generate overhead information and balance sheet related information for the Group Financial Accountant and Financial Accountant to be included in the Operating Statements on a monthly basis.
• Assist the Group Financial Accountant in the preparation of the Budget and Revised Budget with particular emphasis on overheads, fixed assets and cash flow.
• Review monthly management accounts for overheads including comments on large movements against Budget / Forecasts.

Cash/Bank

• Provide support with bank postings when required and assist with any relevant accounting issues, resolving in time for month end.
• Liaise with Accounts Assistant and Treasury Manager to understand BDP Group bank balance position before arranging Intergroup transfers.

Debtors

• Ensure the accuracy of monthly aged debt reports, reconciling to TB balances.
• Ensure the accuracy of monthly aged debt reports for use in Group wide conference calls.

Other

• Support with information as required by the external auditors.
• Work flexibly with the accounting team to cover during holidays and sickness.
• Consider process improvements for the team.
• Any other ad hoc duties as directed by the Group Financial Accountant, Group Financial Controller or Operational Finance Director.

Computer packages utilised include Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, HSBCnet, Vision and Anaplan.

This list is not exhaustive, and duties may change according to project demands.

About us

BDP is a leading, global, multidisciplinary design practice united by a shared purpose: to design a world that's built for good. For more than 60 years, we've been solving problems, creating innovative spaces, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. From the start, we've been pioneers in the world of design, and our legacy is built on the meaningful, people-centred places we've brought to life.

We are a diverse, international practice of architects, engineers, designers, and urbanists. We work closely with our clients, users, and communities to craft spaces for living, working, learning, and enjoying life across the globe. With studios spanning the UK, Ireland, Europe, Asia, and North America, our reach is as broad as our expertise. And since joining forces with Japan's Nippon Koei in 2016, our ability to deliver integrated, impactful design has only grown stronger.

Our work is rooted in creativity, quality, and collaboration. We believe that great design removes barriers and opens new possibilities, all while meeting the demands of a constantly evolving world. Whether we're designing homes, workplaces, or public spaces, we always put people at the heart of our thinking, ensuring that the environments we create are not just functional, but also inclusive, beautiful, and socially and environmentally responsible.

We're proud of the places we've shaped and the lives we've touched, and we are committed to continuing our mission of designing a better, more connected world-one that leaves every place better than we found it.

About you

• Experience of managing workload in order to meet deadlines.
• Proven track record of working proactively and demonstrating flexibility in approach.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team as well as across teams and to develop good working relationships.
• Understands the importance of confidentiality and customer service-orientation of the role.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office suite.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

BDP offers

In return, BDP can offer you a wide range of learning opportunities to encourage personal and professional career development. From sponsorship to profession led CPD events, we also offer annual appraisals and a mentoring scheme that is supported by our internal online learning platform.

We are committed to being an employer of choice and offer a competitive remuneration and benefits package that includes an employee profit share scheme, tax efficient smart benefits, private medical insurance, life insurance, long term sickness insurance, interest free season ticket loans, health screening, opportunity to buy/swap holidays and enhanced maternity and paternity provision, plus many more.

We offer regular international, and studio based social, sporting and charitable events. Some recent events include month-end socials, a hiking club, wellbeing webinars and toolbox talks. Our variety of employee forums gives everyone the platform to have a voice and be heard which drives cultural changes and helps to create an engaged, inclusive organisation.

To find out on more detail about what BDP can offer you, please visit: https://www.bdp.com/en/careers-at-bdp/why-join-bdp/.

To apply

To apply please click on the 'Apply' button below. You will then need to complete the online application form and attach a CV and cover letter. BDP is actively fostering an inclusive organisation where people can be themselves and everyone has a sense of belonging. We want our teams to be diverse at every level, reflecting the communities we design for. As designers, we will create spaces for all that promote equity, wellbeing and participation within the built environment. We actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different skills, professional and life experiences, to join us and help us to achieve our aspirations. We also welcome applications from candidates who wish to work flexibly. BDP also operates a hybrid working policy which is usually three days in the office and two days working from home.

No agency or third-party applications please.