Systems Accountant

Job Title: Senior systems accountant, senior finance systems analyst/accountant

Salary: c.£65,000 FTE+ benefits 

Location: Remote working - easy commute to Birmingham or Milton Keynes offices

The Canal & River Trust is one of the UK’s largest charities, we maintain 2,000 miles of historic canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs, along with museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of protected historic buildings – preserving them for future generations. Our 1000+ employees care for living waterways that transform places and enrich lives, delivering greater wellbeing to millions of people. (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/how-we-make-a-difference).

We have an new role within our finance team.  We have an exciting new opportunity for an experienced Financial Systems Accountant to join our charity in a senior ‘hands-on’ role where you can make a real difference         

This role is primarily responsible for overseeing the migration from SAP ECC6 onto a new Finance platform over 3 years (including system selection), streamlining processes and enhancing reporting, data integrity, and resilience. Working closely with Finance, IT, HR and Operational teams to develop lasting improvements to the Finance infrastructure

Location

The role will be based working from home, with the allocation of a nearby Hub for collaborative working in either Birmingham or Milton Keynes.

Some travel to other Trust locations, including in-person collaboration with colleagues, can be expected.  

As a member of the senior finance team, you will have no direct report in this role, however you will be part of a large team providing expertise and support across our diverse and complex charity.

Reporting directly to the Trusts' Group Financial Controller, this role is primarily responsible for overseeing the migration from SAP ECC6 onto a new Finance platform over 3 years (including system selection), streamlining processes and enhancing reporting, data integrity, and resilience. Working closely with Finance, IT, HR and Operational teams to develop lasting improvements to the Finance infrastructure.

The role will also support the delivery of accurate and timely financial data. This role will business partner across the Finance Directorate and collaborate with various departments to enhance system efficiency through Business Intelligence and other system enhancements.

Your key accountabilities include:

1. Financial Systems Management:

• Work with the IT team on operation and maintenance of financial systems (e.g., ERP, accounting software, and related platforms). Serve as the key point of business contact for system-related issues and troubleshooting.
• Collaborate with IT teams to resolve technical issues and implement system enhancements.

2. System Implementation & Upgrades:

• Key role in the implementation of new financial systems or system upgrades, including selection.
• Support smooth integration of financial systems with other business systems (e.g., HR, procurement).
• Oversee the configuration, implementation, and maintenance of future state financial systems during the transition period from SAP.
• Assist in the design, testing, and implementation of the new ERP system, ensuring financial data integrity and accuracy. Manage system testing, patches and enhancements, user acceptance testing (UAT), and post-implementation reviews in collaboration with IT and other departments

3. Process Improvement:

• Own the product roadmap, interfacing with the Finance team and IT to ensure new business requirements and/or new software releases are mapped out
• Identify and recommend opportunities for process automation and efficiency gains within financial operations, within the SAP environment and new ERP system.
• Work closely with the finance team to improve the use of systems for reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and month-end processes.
• Develop and implement best practices and document procedures for system use and maintenance.

4. Training & Support:

• Provide training and ongoing support to finance and accounting teams on the use of financial systems.
• Create user manuals, guides, and training materials to support efficient system use.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for SAP (and successor system) and ERP-related issues and queries within the finance department.

5. Data Integrity & Reporting:

• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data within systems through regular monitoring, audits, and reconciliation.
• Develop and maintain custom reports and dashboards as needed for financial analysis and reporting using Business intelligence and PowerBI
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure data is correctly reported in compliance with accounting standards.
• Ownership of the Data Structure (Hierarchies) with Finance ERP and ensure consistency across all business platforms.
• Provide insights and recommendations based on data analysis to support business decisions during and after the ERP transition.

6. Project Management:

• Lead or participate in finance-related system projects, including scope definition, timelines, and resource planning.
• Track project progress and ensure milestones are met.

7. Compliance & Security:

• Ensure financial systems comply with relevant regulations, policies, and best practices for security.
• Maintain appropriate internal controls within financial systems to prevent fraud or errors.

About you

The following knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications are essential:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA or ACCA equivalent)
• 5+ years of experience in accounting or financial data analysis
• Experience in preparing financial consolidation and reconciliation processes
• Experience in large systems implementation
• Proficiency in SAP FI module (ECC6) + 3 years’ experience
• Proven experience of working with business intelligence tools such as Power BI including building and developing dashboards/reports
• An exceptional communicator, both verbally and in written form, being able to explain complex financial information to people across the organisation.
• Excellent Microsoft PowerBI & Excel skills (including lookups and pivot tables).

To Apply:  click on the "Apply for this job" button and follow the process - upload current CV & complete the personal statement of the application form (iFORM)

If you have any questions about the role please contact CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient suitable applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

In addition to your annual base salary of c.£65,000, we also offer a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits we are also open to flexible working arrangements. These include:

Other benefits include: 

• Competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, where we will double your contribution to a maximum of 10%.
• 25 days paid holiday (plus paid Bank Holidays), increasing to 30 days after 5 years.
• Home working status with ‘hub’ facilities available should you need the flexibility to work outside of home.
• Personal learning & growth opportunities through internal and external development programmes  
• Free access to specialist counselling on a range of issues, e.g. health, financial, well-being and domestic matters.
• Access to a range of employee benefits including store discounts, boating holiday discounts and holiday purchase scheme.
• 2 days paid volunteering leave per annum, allowing you to volunteer for a local community project etc.
• Free fishing facilities across our canal network.

At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.

When you join the Canal & River Trust you become a member of an engaged team working to preserve our heritage for future generations. Come and share your passion and knowledge with a team that makes a difference to millions of people every day.

Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us