SYSTEMS ACCOUNTANT

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne / Hybrid Working Available
Contract: Permanent 37.5 hours

Salary: Up to £60,000.00 pa - DOE

At Lookers we pride ourselves on being an organisation that puts both our people and our customers at the heart of everything we do. Innovation and a progressive outlook are vital to our success so we’re now looking for an experienced Systems Accountant to join the BI Team in Newcastle.

This is a key position and the successful candidate will play a crucial role in the development of the Group’s reporting and Business Intelligence systems.  In particular they will be responsible for ensuring that financial data imported into the Group’s reporting systems.  They will also assist in designing and continually developing a suite of reports in the Group’s agreed reporting platform to agreed specification. 

The successful candidate will also contribute to design specification and will be expected to offer challenge and suggestion for improvement to all projects. 

Additionally the candidate will working closely with the Group Finance function to maintain and develop the Group’s existing Management Accounts, Statutory Accounts, Budgeting and Forecasting systems.

Although knowledge of BI reporting tools is preferred, training will be provided as necessary. However, prior experience of report development and reporting systems to a management team is essential.

Key responsibilities of the role are;

Finance Systems & Data Integrity

• Maintain and develop the Group's finance reporting, consolidation, budgeting, and forecasting systems.
• Ensure financial and operational data is accurately extracted, transformed, reconciled, and loaded into reporting and planning platforms.
• Support the ongoing maintenance of finance hierarchies, chart of accounts structures, mappings, and reporting dimensions.
• Investigate and resolve systems, reporting, and data integrity issues.
• Support new business acquisitions, disposals, and organisational changes within finance systems and reporting structures.
• Assist with system upgrades, enhancements, testing, and implementation projects.

Reporting & Process Improvement

• Develop and maintain financial reports, dashboards, and management information that support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Work with Finance and Business stakeholders to understand reporting requirements and translate them into effective system solutions.
• Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes and improve reporting efficiency through automation and system enhancements.
• Support month-end, budget, forecast, and year-end reporting cycles.
• Ensure robust controls and governance are maintained across finance systems and reporting processes.

Business Partnering

• Build strong relationships across Finance, BI, IT and operational teams.
• Provide systems support and training to finance users and stakeholders.
• Contribute to finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Challenge existing processes and recommend improvements to reporting, controls, and system utilisation.
• Liaise with internal and external auditors regarding finance systems, controls and reporting processes.

Requirements

Essential

• Experience in a Systems Accountant, Finance Systems Analyst, Management Accountant, Project Accountant, FP&A, or similar role.
• Strong understanding of management accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting processes.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas, data manipulation, and modelling.
• Experience working with finance systems and large datasets.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reconciliation skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both finance and technical teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience of ERP, consolidation, planning, or performance management systems.
• Knowledge of Infor, Power BI, SQL, data warehouses, or reporting tools.
• Experience supporting finance transformation or systems implementation projects.
• Understanding of data mapping, ETL processes, and financial controls.
• Experience of working within a multi-site or retail environment.
• Knowledge of systems such as Pinewood, Keyloop, OneStream, Coupa or similar enterprise platforms.