What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Cost Accountant position at Schroders Careers?
Who we're looking for
You'll be part of our Cost Accounting team which will be responsible for the accounting outcomes of our non-compensation (supplier) cost process. The team will work alongside the purchasing and payables teams to ensure that cost accruals, prepayments and fixed assets are accounted for in accordance with accounting policies.
The team will work closely with our Purchasing, Payables and Reconciliations teams in Horsham. This team is part of our expansion of a centre of excellence for end-to-end cost management.
About Schroders
We're a global investment manager. We help institutions, intermediaries and individuals around the world invest money to meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future.
We have around 6,000 people on six continents. And we've been around for over 200 years but keep adapting as society and technology changes. What doesn't change is our commitment to helping our clients, and society, prosper.
The base
At Schroders, we're known for doing things differently. That's why we’re building a home for the ambitious in Horsham, West Sussex. You’ll get the all the benefits of being part of a world-leading FTSE 100 company. But you’ll also get the support of being part of a genuine local community. If you’re looking for opportunities that match your ambitions, you’ll find them right here in Horsham.
What you'll do
• Perform accounting processes for costs to ensure that they are captured in the correct legal entity, cost centre and nominal account and that in each month there is completeness and accuracy for all types of cost.
• Ensuring cost accruals and prepayments are correctly recorded. Booking adjustments to these if required.
• Providing commentary on cost trends at a service and supplier level.
• Operating the fixed assets accounting process. The main responsibilities are (i) capitalisation of fixed assets including ones which are developed as part of a technology or buildings related project, (ii) disposal of fixed assets and (iii) monthly depreciation process.
• Performing balance sheet reconciliations for cost accruals, prepayments and fixed assets accounts.
• Operating processes which allow Schroders to recover certain costs from our funds.
• Ensure month end deadlines are met and provide necessary reporting to other stakeholders.
The knowledge, experience and qualifications that will help
We need someone that can take responsibility for delivering a range of processes which make up the cost accounting services. You will need to work closely with other members of the team to ensure accurate accounting for costs and completion of the month end close process. It will also be necessary to develop relationships with Finance Business Partners, Financial Control and the Operational Accounting and Control team to enable accurate accounting and reporting of costs.
The successful candidate must be able to understand the key drivers of cost and understand the end-to-end cost processes.
The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need
We are looking for an individual that has clear understanding of cost accounting principles and processes for end-to-end cost management.
Suitable candidates will have:
• Qualified as accountant (or have equivalent experience)
• Proven ability to continuously improve processes and adopt new technologies / ways of working.
• Strong systems skills including use of an ERP system (general ledger and subledgers).
• A successful record of performing accounting processes in a large organisation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Capable of remaining positive when under pressure.
We recognise potential, whoever you are
Our purpose is to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. Diversity of thought facilitated by an inclusive culture will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer: you are welcome here regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or any other protected characteristics