Group Financial Accountant

We’re seeking an experienced Group Financial Accountant to play a pivotal role in delivering high‑quality internal and external financial reporting across the group. You’ll take ownership of the day‑to‑day financial management of our main trading entity, Thames Water Utilities Limited (TWUL), alongside other group companies, leading the production of timely, accurate annual financial statements. Acting as the key point of contact for our external auditors, you’ll provide clear, insightful papers to support the Audit Committee and Board. You’ll also be at the forefront of providing expert IFRS technical accounting guidance, helping shape robust, consistent financial reporting across the business.

What you will be doing as Group Financial Accountant

• Preparation of annual consolidated financial statements for the main trading entity’s (TWUL) parent to a FTSE 100 standard, and group entities.
• Developing best practice processes and procedures around our external reporting, in both a statutory and regulatory environment.
• Review and implementation of new accounting pronouncements and other corporate reporting developments affecting Thames Water.
• Producing key deliverables for submission to the Audit Committee and Board at various stages during the year.
• Producing accounting papers documenting our key management judgements, including leases and financial instrument standards.
• Being a key contact for the external audit team at year-end, half-year and other times during the year.
• Providing ad hoc technical accounting advice to other areas of finance and the wider business and assisting on delivering the annual finance training.

Location - Hybrid, Reading

Hours - 36 a week

What you should bring to the role
To effectively perform this role it is essential that the successful candidate is a qualified chartered accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent). The ideal candidate will have a strong technical background with experience of external financial reporting under IFRS including preparation of consolidated accounts.
In addition, strong communication and relationship management skills will be essential, as maintaining and building robust relationships with a variety of key stakeholders is vital within this position. Additionally, you will have good experience of working in a team towards a common objective within tight deadlines.

Experience of using company IT systems including SAP and HFM would be desirable. 

What’s in it for you? 

• Competitive salary of £62,000 - £68,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets. 

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.