Finance Analyst - Employee Costs & Pensions

We are hiring a high-profile role within a large, internationally recognised organisation operating in a complex, regulated environment. This position sits at the centre of payroll, pensions and technical accounting - offering ownership, visibility and exposure rarely seen at this level. You'll take ownership of accounting and reporting for employee-related costs across a large, multi-entity business. This is a broad and technically challenging role, working closely with Group Finance, external advisers and operational teams - with a strong focus on accuracy, control and insight. Key responsibilities include: • Owning payroll accounting and ensuring accurate posting into finance systems • Reconciling payroll systems to the general ledger across pay, tax, pensions and NI • Reviewing and signing off balance sheet reconciliations for payroll and employee costs • Partnering with Financial Controls to ensure a robust and compliant control environment • Leading IAS 19 accounting for defined benefit pension schemes, working with technical specialists and external advisers • Supporting senior stakeholders with analysis and insights on pension-related commercial decisions • Acting as the key contact for IFRS 2 (share-based payments) accounting • Managing incentive scheme provisions in partnership with FP&A and Reward teams • Supporting ongoing finance transformation and process improvement initiatives This role suits a technically strong, curious accountant who enjoys working in a large, complex business with multiple moving parts. • ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified (or equivalent) • Strong technical grounding in IFRS, particularly IAS 19 and IFRS 2 • Background in Big 4 or a large, complex organisation • Experience in financial reporting, technical accounting or central finance • Strong analytical capability, including financial modelling • Confident communicator, comfortable working across finance and non-finance teams • Exposure to payroll accounting or employee costs is advantageous Why Apply • Join a large, household-name organisation with significant scale and complexity • Work in a role with real ownership of specialist technical areas (pensions, IFRS 2) • Gain exposure to senior stakeholders, group finance, and external advisers • Opportunity to be involved in finance transformation and system change programmes • Strong platform to move into technical accounting, financial control or broader finance leadership roles If you're a qualified accountant looking to deepen your technical expertise while working in a high-impact, visible role - we'd be keen to hear from you. Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates