Selfridges Group - Group Assistant Accountant (Level 4 Apprenticeship)

Job Introduction

Selfridges Group: Group Assistant Accountant (OpCo) – Level 4 Apprenticeship  

Role Context 

The Selfridges Group is comprised of Selfridges in the UK, Brown Thomas and Arnotts in Ireland and de Bijenkorf in the Netherlands, all of which are successful department stores in their own right. Although part of an overarching group structure, the business has purposefully sought to maintain the individuality of each brand and as such they all have a distinct positioning, in keeping with their local market and the customers that they serve.

Selfridges Group Central Team’s purpose is to support the banners in thought leadership, cross-group project management, reporting and governance. Our culture is a dynamic and fast-paced one, and those with a pro-active mind-set, strong communication skills and an international perspective will find Selfridges Group an exciting, challenging and fulfilling organisation in which to work.

This role is ideal for individuals looking to start a career in finance and accounting. You will support the finance team in delivering accurate financial reporting, maintaining records, and assisting with budgeting and forecasting, while working on the Level 4 Finance apprenticeship which involves studying towards a professional qualification (e.g. AAT, ACCA or CIMA).
 
 Key areas of accountability

• Preparation and processing of journals for the Group centre and holding companies
• Preparation of the monthly management accounts 
• Preparation of the Group management accounts and consolidation 
• Preparation of Balance Sheet Reconciliations 
• Preparation of the Group centre budget and forecast 
• Business partnering with cost centre holders to understand and challenge costs
• Support the Accounts payable assistant with day to day activities including preparing payment runs and intercompany recharges
• Support the statutory year end process for the Group centre (stand alone and consolidation), including support with financial statement preparation and preparation of materials for the auditors
• Ad hoc financial analysis and support to team and cost centre holders

Key skills & experience 

• Strong numerical and analytical skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• A willingness to learn and pursue a professional qualification 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good organisational and time management skills

Apprenticeship details

The Level 4 accounting apprenticeship will give you a strong foundation in finance and will enable you to gain a professional qualification certificate or diploma level AAT, ACCA or CIMA. 

Apprenticeships allow Team Members to combine work and study by mixing on-the-job training with classroom learning. Through an apprenticeship, an apprentice will gain the technical knowledge, practical experience and wider skills and behaviours that they need for their immediate job and future career. 

Off- the-job training: 

6 hours of your working week will go towards your apprenticeship which will include attending workshops, reviews, independent study. The rest of your week will be where you carry out your day-to-day role, gain practical experience and implement what you have learnt on your apprenticeship. 

Duration: 

The duration of this apprenticeship is 18 months, including end point assessment.  

Eligibility:  

To complete an apprenticeship a learner must be: 

• Able to demonstrate an increase in current skill level from the selected apprenticeship 
• Not be in full time education  
• Not taking part in any other government funded programme 
• No overlap with a previous qualification  
• Not self employed  
• No prior degree in Finance/Accounting
• Have been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for at least the previous three years before the start of the programme or have obtained either pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme 
• GCSEs (Grade 5+) in Maths and English
• 3 A Levels (Grade 5+) 

Selfridges