Purpose of the role

Overview of the role: 

ZSL is seeking a highly numerate and self-motivated qualified accountant with strong post-qualification experience to work at ZSL as a Financial Accountant. 
 

Key responsibilities: 

  • Leading on charity VAT and Gift Aid, including correct application of regulations, monitoring returns and ad hoc analysis / modelling of impact
  • Supporting the monthly management account process through the ownership of key balance sheet reconciliations and posting of journals
  • Supporting the preparation of the annual statutory accounts for ZSL and ZEL (ZSL’s trading subsidiary), and the annual audit through to final sign off the Annual Report and Financial Statements
  • Updating financial policies and guidelines as required

About You

We are looking for:

  • Qualified accountant certification through ACCA, ACA, or CIMA
  • Taxation experience, ideally including Charity VAT and Gift Aid
  • Experience of balance sheet reconciliations involving large data sets
  • Experience of supporting the preparation of financial statements and supporting an audit process, liaising with auditors / stakeholders as required
  • Evidenced ability to engage proactively with senior stakeholders through effective communication
This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK.

 

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group. 

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.  

What do we offer?  

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

  • Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct 
  • Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme with up to 12% contributory pension 
  • Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you  
  • Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays  
  • Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme  
  • Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day 
  • Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops  
  • Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle  
  • Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work  
  • Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages  
NB: We reserve the right to close our advertisement early or extend the advertising date until a suitable candidate has been found.

What our team say...

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