Financial Reporting Accountant - Edinburgh

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Working at Columbia Threadneedle Investments you'll find growth and career opportunities across all of our businesses.

We're intentionally built to help you succeed. Our reach is expansive with a global team of 2,300 people working together. Our capability is diverse with more than 550 investment professionals sharing global perspectives across all major asset classes and markets. Our clients have access to a broad array of investment strategies, and we have the capability to create bespoke solutions matched to clients' specific requirements. Our unwavering focus on our clients and strong financial foundation connects each of our enterprise businesses — Ameriprise Financial, Columbia Threadneedle Investments and RiverSource Insurance and Annuities.

Job Description

Where you’ll fit in & what our team goals are…
As part of the Columbia Threadneedle Investments asset management group, your role supports the preparation of statutory accounts, regulatory and statistical submissions, and financial board reporting for a defined set of legal entities across EMEA and APAC. You will be primarily responsible for producing deliverables and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory frameworks. This supports statutory compliance, board reporting and regulatory obligations across an international legal structure.

How you'll spend your time...

Statutory Financial Reporting

• Prepare annual statutory financial statements for a defined subset of Group entities.

• Ensure compliance with IFRS, UK GAAP, and applicable overseas GAAP.

• Manage the end-to-end reporting process, including documentation, audit support, and timely submission.

• Liaise directly with external auditors to provide required information and respond to queries.

Regulatory & Statistical Reporting

• Prepare UK and overseas regulatory and statistical submissions for assigned Group entities.

• Support overseas regulatory reporting processes by acting as a knowledgeable backup for EMEA and APAC entities.

• Perform analytical reviews to explain movements and ensure accuracy.

Board Reporting

• Prepare quarterly financial board packs for assigned entities, including commentary and analysis.

• Collaborate with the Company Secretarial team to ensure timely delivery and coverage of key controllership topics.

• Draft board papers summarizing key points from statutory accounts for board approval.

Controls & Compliance

• Complete SOX-compliant balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring proper documentation and aging of items.

• Help maintain and improve key business processes, ensuring efficiency and control.

• Identify and propose process enhancements or risk mitigation strategies.

Collaboration 

• Collaborate with other Controllership team members and business units on relevant processes.

• Participate in business-as-usual activities and manage personal workload to meet deadlines.

• Contribute to Controllership-related projects, ensuring deliverables align with team objectives.

• Build effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, external auditors and overseas finance teams.

To be successful in this role you will have...

• Ideally candidates will be ACA or ACCA qualified, although ACA or ACCA part qualified and MAAT qualified candidates with relevant experience will also be considered.  

• In addition to a sound understanding of IFRS, UK GAAP and regulatory frameworks, a working knowledge of US GAAP would be helpful in discussions with parent company Finance department.

• Experience preparing financial statements and regulatory submissions.

• Strong analytical, communication, and documentation skills.

• A flexible attitude to work and can work well in a multi-tasking environment;

• The ability to manage multiple deliverables under tight deadlines.

• Proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.

• Good Excel/Word reporting skills.

If you also had this, it would be great...

• Self-starter with a positive attitude;

• Sets high personal goals and strives for continual improvement;

• Experience with financial reporting or accounting systems, such as Workday or ONESOURCE.

• Familiarity with productivity, automation or analytics tools such as Copilot, Power Automate, Python, Alteryx, and Power BI is advantageous, though not essential.

In-Office Collaboration

We are a client-centric, relationship-based business. Working together, in-person, is foundational to how we achieve results. By fostering a culture of face-to-face collaboration, idea sharing, productivity and personal connection, we deliver for our stakeholders — clients, advisors, employees and shareholders. Our employees work in the office at least four (4) days per week, with flexibility to work from home one (1) day per week. Some roles may require additional in-office time or different in-office expectations, and specific requirements will be discussed during the hiring process.
 

Full timePermanentFinance

Columbia Threadneedle is a people business, and we recognise that our success is due to our talented people, who bring diversity of thought, complementary skills and capabilities. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and performance-based culture where everyone can belong, grow, contribute and realise their potential.

We appreciate that work-life balance is an important factor for many when considering their next move so please discuss any flexible working requirements directly with your recruiter.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to racial or ethnic background, religion or belief, sex or gender, nationality, genetic information, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, pregnancy or maternity or any other basis prohibited by law.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to aid your participation in the application or interview process, speak to your recruiter to discuss how we can support you.