Pension Fund Accounts Officer

Connect2Hackney is looking for a detail-oriented and financially astute Pension Fund Accounts Officer to join the London Borough of Hackney on an interim basis.

Hackney is home to a diverse community and a thriving workforce. Behind our people is a robust Pension Fund valued at approximately 2.2 billion. We are looking for a dedicated professional to help steward these assets, ensuring that every penny is accounted for, reconciled, and reported with absolute precision.

This is more than just a number-crunching role, it is a chance to work at the heart of the Council's financial reporting, interacting with high-level Fund Managers and supporting our commitment to responsible investment through ESG reporting.

What You Will Be Doing

Reporting to the Investment & Accounting Manager, you will play a pivotal role in the financial integrity of the Pension Fund. Your core responsibilities will include:

Financial Reporting & Accounts

• Lead the compilation: You will work closely with the Manager to compile the Pension Fund Report & Accounts, ensuring all entries are accurate and timely.
• Ensure compliance: You will ensure our Report and Accounts meet all CIPFA reporting requirements and are produced to the highest standard.
• Manage the 2.2bn portfolio data: You will develop and prepare monthly transaction reports carried out by Fund Managers and the London CIV to ensure holdings are accurately reflected in the Statement of Accounts.

Reconciliation & Control

• Complex Reconciliations: You will take ownership of complex reconciliations, ensuring they are recorded accurately within the Council's financial reporting systems.
• Suspense Accounts: You will be responsible for clearing Pension Fund suspense account items on a monthly basis, ensuring alignment with the chart of accounts.
• Audit Trail: You will maintain comprehensive working papers and documentation to create a full audit trail, acting as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors to provide assurance on data quality.

Operations & Liaison

• Stakeholder Management: You will liaise with Pension Fund Investment Managers, Custodians, and external Pension administrators to ensure data accuracy for reconciliations and journal entries.
• Transactional Duties: You will raise purchase orders, pay invoices, and act as the primary contact for invoice queries.
• ESG & Governance: You will assist the Assistant Director with the execution of passive equity voting and support the team with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting requirements.

About You

We are looking for someone with a strong background in financial accounting, preferably within a public sector or pension fund environment. To be successful in this role, you should have:

• Technical Proficiency: Experience with complex financial reconciliations, suspense accounts, and general ledger systems.
• Attention to Detail: The ability to maintain accurate working papers and handle large datasets (relating to our 2.2bn fund) with precision.
• Communication Skills: Confidence in liaising with external auditors, fund managers, and internal stakeholders.
• Knowledge: An understanding of CIPFA requirements and pension fund accounting is highly desirable.

By joining the Hackney network, you are joining a council that prides itself on being distinct, diverse, and dedicated to its residents.

• Impact: Work on a significant fund that supports the future of our workforce.
• Development: Gain exposure to high-level investment accounting and ESG reporting.
• Flexibility: We offer hybrid working arrangements to support your work-life balance.

Benefits: Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a generous holiday allowance.

Commercial Services Trading Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.