Part Qualified Cost Accountant recruitment

MG Investments, part of the Prudential Group, is a city based investment company with assets under management of more than £195 billion, as at 31 December 2010. As one of the largest asset managers in Europe, it aims to maximise profitable growth by operating in markets where it has a leading position and competitive advantage, including retail fund management, institutional fixed income, pooled life and pension funds, property and private finance.

Opportunity

The role sits in the Distribution Finance team of MG Retail, and is primarily responsible for the monitoring, control and reporting of costs in relation to the UK and European Sales teams and the Marketing teams.

Key responsibilities

- Build a constructive and supportive working relationship with the Marketing and Sales teams;
- Obtain a good understanding of the MG Retail operating model, especially the interaction between the Marketing function and Sales;
- Preparation of monthly cost control reports and comprehensive analysis for Marketing and Sales teams;
- Posting of month end journals and accruals to ensure an accurate representation of costs;
- Review of European trial balances and production of cashbooks;
- Maintain up-to-date drivers for cost allocations to channel and fund, ensuring these are understood by all relevant areas of the business;
- Produce annual budgets and quarterly forecasts;
- Work closely with the Finance analysts responsible for channel reporting to ensure they have a good understanding of the Sales and Marketing cost base, and to ensure a seamless interface between Finance and the business;
- Work closely with finance teams in London and Chelmsford to ensure a high level of cost control, and also work with the finance support in the Frankfurt office to ensure a good understanding of respective processes;
- Work with both internal and external audit to assist them with any queries they raise in relation to the cost base;
- Provide support to the UK Sales analyst in managing the payments and accruals process for UK Rebates and renewal commission;
- Provide support to the UK Sales analyst in preparation of channel pls;
- Continually review, refine and develop reporting to ensure it is fit for purpose;
- Assist with ad-hoc analysis and provide financial input on projects as requested;
- Maintain up-to-date professional competence and industry knowledge.

What we are looking for

Essential:
- Part qualified accountant;
- Previous experience of cost accounting;
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal, and able to liaise effectively with personnel at all levels;
- Bright, enthusiastic and proactive;
- Numerate, logical and analytical approach;
- High level of accuracy and attention to detail;
- Able to work effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines;
- Strong spreadsheet and financial modelling skills;
- P.C. literate, especially competent with MS Excel, PowerPoint and Word.

Desirable:
- Prior knowledge of asset management or similar financial services organisations;
- Experience of Sun Systems general ledger, and Vision reporting suite;
- Experience of Hyperion planning essbase, or other analytical cube databases

MG is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from a diverse background.