Financial Reporting Accountant

When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you'll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts.

Our office is a vibrant place to work, and we offer flexibility of office/homeworking due to our hybrid model.

About the role

In your role as Financial Reporting Accountant you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset. This role will provide a great opportunity to be responsible for production of the Scheme quarterly and annual accounts and the financial statements of USSIM and USSL statutory accounts.

What you will be doing

As a trusted part of the Finance team, you will:

1. Prepare the USSIM and USSL statutory accounts accurately and deliver on time, ensuring financial control and integrity.
2. Provide support to the Record to Report team and Financial Reporting Manager by preparing disclosures and information for inclusion in the quarterly accounts and the annual financial statements.
3. Produce quarterly scheme reporting pack including commentary, high level analysis and supplementary schedules.
4. Prepare the quarterly analysis of contributions into DB and DC and ensure supporting documentation is of an appropriate quality to enable efficient review.
5. Produce quarterly reconciliations with analysis to support the integrity of the quarterly and annual accounts.
6. Produce technical accounting papers for key accounting judgements to an appropriate level of quality to enable efficient review by the Financial Reporting Manager and the Group Financial Controller.
7. Identify and develop improvements to the reporting process where manual journals could be replaced with system developments or enhancements.
8. Support the annual external audit by establishing good working relationships with the external audit team and communicate progress of key deliverables.
9. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers in Finance, Company Secretarial and those inputting into the production of the front end of the Annual Report & Accounts.

About you

We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box. If you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, then please apply, regardless of whether you meet all the requirements outlined in this profile.

To be successful in the role you will have:

1. Hold a professional accounting qualification such as ACA or ACCA.
2. Experience of preparing, reviewing and submitting statutory accounts.
3. Knowledge and experience of financial systems, accounting processes and controls.
4. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build collaborative relationships with peers and multiple stakeholders.
5. Strong analytical skills, problem solving capability, an enquiring approach and ability to challenge.
6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

At USS, every individual contributes to building a secure financial future for our members and their families.

We strive to create a work environment where everyone can thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. We're also committed to helping you build your career by providing opportunities for development.

We put a focus on recognising and supporting each individual's unique career path, driving this forward with the support of an engaged and proactive management team.

Here at USS, we want you to thrive in and out of work with a friendly team, flexible culture and excellent range of benefits!

How we will reward you

1. Generous annual leave package.
2. Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme.
3. Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay).
4. Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing.
5. Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership.
6. Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent.
7. Employee Volunteer Days to support the communities where you work and live.
8. Cycle to Work Scheme.

Our culture and values

Our people are what makes us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where people are welcomed and feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can be themselves.

Our purpose firmly states the importance of members, putting them 'front and centre' of what we do. This is embedded through our values:

1. Integrity.

About us

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and higher education institutions in the UK.

We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for more than 528,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £75.5bn (at 31 March 2023). To find out more, please visit .

USSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent.

We want all candidates to perform at their best during the recruitment process, so if you need any reasonable adjustments or if there is anything we can do to help support you through your recruitment journey, please let us know by contacting .