Job Description
At Aberdeen, our ambition is to be the UK's leading Wealth & Investments group.
About the Department
The Finance function, led by the Chief Financial Officer, is structured into four specialist teams and three commercially focused business units. The Group Financial Control (GFC) Pillar plays a critical role in providing accurate financial outputs, operating strong controls, and delivering value‑adding insight across the organisation. Finance Operations teams are predominantly based in Edinburgh, supported by a third‑party provider in Chennai (WNS), over whom strong governance and oversight are exercised.
The Group Financial Control (GFC) Pillar is one of those specialist teams, led by the Group Financial Controller, playing a critical role in this shift by providing accurate and timely financial outputs and reporting, operating strong controls and delivering valuable output. The GFC Pillar currently comprises Finance Operations, Financial Control and Reporting (UK & EMEA), Finance Systems and Change, the Financial Controls Office, and key strategic project delivery. Teams within the GFC Pillar are located predominantly in Edinburgh, supported by a third‑party process outsourcer in Chennai, India (WNS), over whom GFC teams exercise oversight and control.
Finance Operations is a critical enabler of the Finance division and a core function within Aberdeen, ensuring the organisation can operate with confidence, control, and transparency. The team delivers end‑to‑end operational finance services across Record to Report, Billing, Banking, Accounts Payable, and Supplier Relationship Management.
About the Role
The Record to Report Accountant - Fixed Assets Specialist is a technical leadership role within Finance Operations, providing expertise in Fixed Assets accounting and supporting the integrity of the balance sheet.
The role holder will act as a subject‑matter expert, leading on Fixed Assets matters, maintaining high accounting and control standards, and influencing best practice across Record to Report. While the role provides cover and support across wider Record to Report (e.g. costs, revenue, transfer pricing) where required, its primary focus is Fixed Assets, asset accounting quality, and governance. Direct line management responsibility, requiring strong judgement, influence, and the ability to deliver results through collaboration.
Fixed Assets Technical Leadership
* Act as the technical lead for Fixed Assets accounting, including capitalisation, depreciation, disposals, impairments, asset transfers, asset register governance and leases.
* Ensure Fixed Assets balances are complete, accurate, well‑controlled, and aligned to accounting policy and standards.
Record to Report Delivery & Control
* Deliver high‑quality Fixed Assets outputs as part of the month‑end and year‑end close, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.
* Maintain and enhance balance sheet substantiation, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
* Support internal and external audit activity, providing clear explanations and robust evidence.
Risk, Governance & Continuous Improvement
* Proactively identify risks, control gaps, and process weaknesses within Fixed Assets and related processes.
* Drive continuous improvement and innovation, including simplification, automation, and improved data quality.
Collaboration & Wider Record to Report Support
* Work closely with other Record to Report team members, Finance Systems, and stakeholder teams to resolve issues and deliver outcomes.
* Provide ad‑hoc support or cover across broader Record to Report areas (such as operating costs or revenue) when required, without detracting from Fixed Assets ownership.
Decision‑making & Communication
* Communicate clearly and authentically with stakeholders, adapting style for technical and non‑technical audiences.
* Escalate issues appropriately to ensure risks do not crystallise.
About the Candidate
* Must be CIMA, ACCA or possess equivalent accounting accreditation.
* Technical expertise in Fixed Assets accounting within a Record to Report or General Ledger environment.
* Proven experience operating in a well‑controlled, audit‑focused finance function.
* Deep understanding of balance sheet accounting, reconciliations, and financial controls.
* Ability to influence, challenge, and lead through expertise rather than hierarchy.
* Strong analytical skills with a pragmatic, delivery‑focused mindset.
* Confident and clear communicator with high professional standards.
* Some experience supporting wider Record to Report activities such as operating costs, revenue or transfer pricing.
Our benefits
There's more to working life than coming home with a good salary. We have an environment where you can learn, get involved and be supported. When you join us, your reward will be one of the best around. This includes 40 days' annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, a discretionary performance‑based bonus (where applicable), private healthcare and a range of flexible benefits - including gym discounts, season ticket loans and access to an employee discount portal.
Equal Opportunities & Diversity Statement
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone.
If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.
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