Finance Project Accountant

Job Description

Job Title: Finance Project Accountant
Location: Head Office, Leicester
Salary: £Competitive plus bonus & benefits

At Next, we're not just a leading British fashion and home retailer; we're an iconic brand shaping the future of retail. As a FTSE 100 company, we pride ourselves on innovation, quality, and delivering exceptional customer experiences both in-store and online.

We are now seeking a talented and dedicated Finance Accountant to join our dynamic Finance Operations team.

The Role:

As a Finance Accountant, you will play a key role in ensuring the accurate and timely management of our financial operations. You will support the Finance Operations Manager in maintaining financial controls, producing management reports, and working on continuous improvement initiatives within the team. This role is perfect for a qualified accountant looking to enhance their skills in a fast-paced retail environment.

In addition to your core responsibilities, you will also support the migration from our current bespoke financial reporting system to a new Oracle based system. Therefore, prior experience in project management, transformation, or change management within financial reporting systems is highly desirable, as you will help drive the transition and ensure smooth integration across financial processes.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Prepare and review monthly management accounts, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
2. Support the preparation of financial statements and year-end accounts.
3. Conduct balance sheet reconciliations and variance analysis.
4. Ensure compliance with internal financial controls and processes.
5. Assist in budgeting and forecasting activities, providing analysis and insight to drive financial performance.
6. Collaborate with other teams within Finance and across the business to improve reporting, processes, and financial accuracy.
7. Support the Finance Operations Manager in ad-hoc projects, including system improvements, financial analysis, and the Oracle migration.
8. Provide accurate and timely financial information to senior management to inform decision-making.

What We're Looking For:

1. Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent.
2. Strong knowledge of financial reporting standards.
3. Previous experience in financial accounting or finance operations, preferably within a large retail or commercial environment.
4. Experience in project management, transformation, or change management, ideally involving financial systems.
5. Excellent analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and provide insights.
6. Advanced Excel skills, with experience in financial systems.
7. Strong attention to detail, a problem-solving mindset, and the ability to work at pace and meet tight deadlines.
8. Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues across departments.
9. Comfortable working an unstructured day.

About Us

You know Next, but did you know we're a FTSE-100 retail company employing over 35,000 people across the UK and Ireland. We're the UK's 2nd largest fashion retailer and for Kidswear we're the market leader. At the last count we have over 500 stores, plus the Next Online and it's now possible to buy on-line from over 70 countries around the world! So we've gone global!

About the Team

• 25% off most NEXT, MADE*, Lipsy*, Gap* and Victoria's Secret* products (*when purchased through NEXT)
• Company performance based bonus
• Sharesave scheme
• On-site Nursery available; OFSTED outstanding in all areas
• 10% off most partner brands & up to 15% off Branded Beauty
• Early VIP access to sale stock
• Access to fantastic discounts at our Staff Shops
• Restaurants with great food at amazing prices
• Access a digital GP and other free health and wellbeing services
• Free on-site parking
• Financial Wellbeing - Save, track and enhance your financial wellbeing
• Apprenticeship - Grow and develop on the job whilst gaining a qualification
• Direct to Work - Discount online and instore, collect your items the next day for free from your place of work or local store
• Support Networks - Access to Network Groups to empower and celebrate each other
• Wellhub - Discounted flexible monthly gym memberships, with apps, PT sessions and more

Conditions apply to all benefits. These benefits are discretionary and subject to change.

We aim to support all candidates during the application process and are happy to provide workplace adjustments when necessary. Should you need support with your application due to a disability or long-term condition, feel free to get in touch with us by email headoffice_careers@next.co.uk (please include 'Workplace Adjustments' in the subject line), or call us on 0116 284 2486 and leave a voicemail.