Trading Accountant

Full Description

Global Commodity Trading Firm is dedicated to excellence in the dynamic world of commodity trading, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration.

based Central London with Hybrid working

£55,000 – £65,000 p.a. + Benefits & Bonus

About the Role

Are you a newly/recently qualified accountant looking to move into a dynamic, commercial role at the heart of global trade ?

We are offering a unique opportunity to join our London finance team as a Trading Accountant.

This is more than just a reporting role, it’s your entry point into the fast-paced world of commodity trading.

You will be embedded with our trading desks, gaining hands-on experience in Daily P&L production, Product Control, and trade lifecycle accounting for physical and derivative instruments.

Under the mentorship of our seasoned Trade Accountants, you will develop the technical expertise and commercial acumen that are highly valued in this niche sector.

If you’re analytically driven, eager to understand the ‘why’ behind the numbers, and ready to build a specialized career in commodities, we want to hear from you.

Responsibilities

Daily Trade Control & P&L:

• Prepare and analyse the Daily P&L for assigned trading books, ensuring accuracy and explaining variances vs. risk-based estimates.
• Perform key Product Control activities: verify trade capture, validate pricing (MTM), and reconcile positions between trading and accounting systems.
• Account for the full trade lifecycle: from initial deal capture through to settlement, including physical shipment accruals, futures/options expiry processing, and FX revaluations.
• Reconcile key control accounts (e.g., Broker margin, Exchange receivables/payables, Inventory valuations).

Month-End & Financial Reporting:

• Execute month-end closing activities specific to trading: inventory costing (FIFO/weighted average), hedge accounting support, and preparing detailed management accounts commentary.
• Ensure accurate accounting in accordance with relevant standards (IFRS) and internal controls.

Process Improvement & Collaboration:

• Partner with our offshore accounting team in India, providing review, guidance, and ensuring adherence to control frameworks.
• Identify and lead initiatives to automate processes, enhance system workflows (e.g., in Navision), and improve reporting efficiency using tools like Excel (essential) and Power BI/SQL (desirable).
• Collaborate directly with Traders, Shipping, and Risk teams to resolve ad-hoc queries and provide financial insight.

Ad-Hoc & Project Work:

• Support cyclical finance processes such as cash flow forecasting, FX exposure reporting, and system implementations.
• Contribute to audit requests and strengthen the control environment for audit readiness.

Qualifications

• Recently qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong academic background and a demonstrable interest in financial markets or commodity trading.

Required Skills

• Advanced Excel skills (pivots, lookups, data modelling) are essential.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with a control-focused mindset.
• High level of initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communicator, able to collaborate with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.

Preferred Skills

• Prior exposure to a trading environment, Navision/Dynamics, Cognos/TM1, or other ETRM/CTRM systems is a distinct advantage.