Trainee Pension Plan Accountant
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom Full-time Posted 1 week ago
The Vacancy
Our Third Party Administration (TPA) department is a dynamic administration team with a varied portfolio of clients. The team plays a key role in delivering a market-leading service to clients and members across Defined Benefit (DB), Defined Contribution (DC) and CARE pension arrangements.
An exciting opportunity is available to join this department as a Trainee Pension Plan Accountant within the Client Finance Accounts team, based in Birmingham or Glasgow.
What will the role involve?
This role sits within the Client Finance Accounts Team, supporting the delivery of a high-quality, efficient pensions accounting service to a broad and varied portfolio of clients. It offers the opportunity to build strong technical knowledge while contributing to accurate financial reporting, maintaining robust accounting records and ensuring work is completed in line with regulatory requirements and client expectations.
Key Responsibilities Include
Applications are welcomed from individuals who may not meet all of the criteria but demonstrate the potential to develop the required skills with support. Additional relevant experience or knowledge not listed is also encouraged.
What’s on offer?
In addition to a competitive salary and access to a profit share scheme, the following benefits are available:
We are committed to being open and transparent in our recruitment and reward processes. Please note that this vacancy does not currently meet the minimum salary threshold requirements for Skilled Worker sponsorship within the UK.
To avoid any disappointment, if sponsorship is required, it is recommended to check eligibility for a discounted salary threshold or explore alternative routes to secure the right to work in the UK before submitting an application. If the criteria outlined in the job description are met, individual circumstances can be discussed further.
About Us
Together, we’ve been building better futures for over 100 years. For our people, our clients and their people, our communities and the environment.
We thrive on tackling complex problems. And we believe those problems are best solved by diverse teams – diverse in skills, approaches and backgrounds. Our independence lets our people be themselves and think freely, while working in a collaborative, supportive environment. We love innovative, independent thinking and want everyone to share their ideas.
Working alongside employers, trustees and financial services institutions, we offer pensions, investments, benefits and risk consulting services, as well as data and technology solutions. With over 1000 employees and counting, we’re one of the leading consultancies in our field and are proud to be recognised by numerous industry awards.
We’re committed to developing our people and encourage everyone to carve out their own career path. We’ve many colleagues who started out in one team in the business and have ended up somewhere completely different, having had the chance to develop new skills and explore new passions.
We are continually working to improve our inclusive culture and employ diverse talent. We therefore welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, which includes but isn’t limited to: age, disability, ethnic heritage, gender, marital or civil partnership status, neurodiversity, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background.
Our hybrid working model offers the best of both worlds – home working as well as a fun, collaborative office environment - meaning flexible working patterns to accommodate individual needs. Find out more about our careers here .
If you need any assistance in relation to a personal requirement, medical condition or neurological difference during our selection process then please let us know.
Together, we can make this the best job you’ll ever have.
We Offer
Our culture
We live and breathe our four values – friendly, confident, partnering and straightforward – and genuinely care about out people, clients, community and the environment.
Job satisfaction
Every employee can genuinely make a difference and contribute towards achieving our purpose – together, building better futures. Whether that’s helping our clients build more secure financial futures, using your 3 days volunteering or helping us reduce our carbon footprint.
Reward and wellbeing
We offer competitive salaries, a share of company profits and an award-winning benefits package. We also take your mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing seriously, both in and outside of work.
Flexible working
We trust our people to work in a pattern that suits their circumstances with a healthy balance of home and office working.
Latest technology
We use the most up-to-date technology and software to match our ground-breaking business solutions that make life easier for us and our clients.
Career development
There is no linear path – learning opportunities are plentiful and empower you to carve out your own career.
Our Third Party Administration (TPA) department is a dynamic administration team with a varied portfolio of clients. The team plays a key role in delivering a market-leading service to clients and members across Defined Benefit (DB), Defined Contribution (DC) and CARE pension arrangements.
An exciting opportunity is available to join this department as a Trainee Pension Plan Accountant within the Client Finance Accounts team, based in Birmingham or Glasgow.
What will the role involve?
This role sits within the Client Finance Accounts Team, supporting the delivery of a high-quality, efficient pensions accounting service to a broad and varied portfolio of clients. It offers the opportunity to build strong technical knowledge while contributing to accurate financial reporting, maintaining robust accounting records and ensuring work is completed in line with regulatory requirements and client expectations.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Supporting Lead Accountants and Preparers for larger schemes, or acting as a Preparer for smaller schemes, in the preparation of annual pension fund Trustee Report & Accounts (including the Trustees’ report, financial statements and supporting disclosures) in line with statutory legislation and Accounting Standards of Recommended Practice (SORP).
- Assisting with the maintenance of accounting records for each client to support the preparation of financial statements, including providing support to Lead Accountants and Preparers as required.
- Preparing working papers for review (e.g. reconciliations, lead schedules and disclosure summaries).
- Supporting the drafting of Trustees’ reports for review by colleagues and consultants.
- Assisting with the preparation of additional documents, schedules and returns (e.g. cash book analysis, management accounts, VAT returns, HMRC forms and Office for National Statistics (ONS) surveys), under guidance from Lead Accountants and Preparers.
- Preparing agendas and taking notes during audit planning meetings, and coordinating timetables with auditors and advisers.
- Supporting the preparation of audit packs and responding to audit queries in collaboration with senior team members.
- Managing a number of allocated clients, often working across multiple schemes simultaneously, and organising workload effectively with support from the wider team.
- A minimum of A-levels (or equivalent), with GCSEs (or equivalent) as a minimum. Maths at A-level (or equivalent).
- Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Previous experience in an office environment (ideally within a professional services setting).
- Working knowledge of an accounting system or software.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and basic understanding of accounting principles.
- Ability to use initiative, organise workload effectively and meet deadlines across multiple client assignments.
- High levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Strong problem-solving skills, with a logical and structured approach.
- Ability to interact professionally and sensitively with clients, consultants, auditors and stakeholders.
Applications are welcomed from individuals who may not meet all of the criteria but demonstrate the potential to develop the required skills with support. Additional relevant experience or knowledge not listed is also encouraged.
What’s on offer?
In addition to a competitive salary and access to a profit share scheme, the following benefits are available:
- A flexible benefits package tailored to individual lifestyle and needs
- A collaborative and supportive working environment where ideas are encouraged
- On-site mental health and wellbeing support
- Ongoing personal and professional development, including mentoring and access to the Aspire learning portal
- Regular social activities, three days of paid volunteering leave each year, and a day’s leave to celebrate a birthday
- Hybrid working, combining remote working with time in modern office environments
We are committed to being open and transparent in our recruitment and reward processes. Please note that this vacancy does not currently meet the minimum salary threshold requirements for Skilled Worker sponsorship within the UK.
To avoid any disappointment, if sponsorship is required, it is recommended to check eligibility for a discounted salary threshold or explore alternative routes to secure the right to work in the UK before submitting an application. If the criteria outlined in the job description are met, individual circumstances can be discussed further.
About Us
Together, we’ve been building better futures for over 100 years. For our people, our clients and their people, our communities and the environment.
We thrive on tackling complex problems. And we believe those problems are best solved by diverse teams – diverse in skills, approaches and backgrounds. Our independence lets our people be themselves and think freely, while working in a collaborative, supportive environment. We love innovative, independent thinking and want everyone to share their ideas.
Working alongside employers, trustees and financial services institutions, we offer pensions, investments, benefits and risk consulting services, as well as data and technology solutions. With over 1000 employees and counting, we’re one of the leading consultancies in our field and are proud to be recognised by numerous industry awards.
We’re committed to developing our people and encourage everyone to carve out their own career path. We’ve many colleagues who started out in one team in the business and have ended up somewhere completely different, having had the chance to develop new skills and explore new passions.
We are continually working to improve our inclusive culture and employ diverse talent. We therefore welcome applications from people from all backgrounds, which includes but isn’t limited to: age, disability, ethnic heritage, gender, marital or civil partnership status, neurodiversity, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic background.
Our hybrid working model offers the best of both worlds – home working as well as a fun, collaborative office environment - meaning flexible working patterns to accommodate individual needs. Find out more about our careers here .
If you need any assistance in relation to a personal requirement, medical condition or neurological difference during our selection process then please let us know.
Together, we can make this the best job you’ll ever have.
We Offer
Our culture
We live and breathe our four values – friendly, confident, partnering and straightforward – and genuinely care about out people, clients, community and the environment.
Job satisfaction
Every employee can genuinely make a difference and contribute towards achieving our purpose – together, building better futures. Whether that’s helping our clients build more secure financial futures, using your 3 days volunteering or helping us reduce our carbon footprint.
Reward and wellbeing
We offer competitive salaries, a share of company profits and an award-winning benefits package. We also take your mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing seriously, both in and outside of work.
Flexible working
We trust our people to work in a pattern that suits their circumstances with a healthy balance of home and office working.
Latest technology
We use the most up-to-date technology and software to match our ground-breaking business solutions that make life easier for us and our clients.
Career development
There is no linear path – learning opportunities are plentiful and empower you to carve out your own career.
