Senior Accountant

Job title: Senior Accountant

Department: Finance

Reporting to: Chief Accountant

Grade: 3

Salary: £75,0+7 per annum

Base: Gravesend, Kent

Closing date: 27 March 2026

Interview date: 3 April 2026

Who We Are

The Port of London Authority is the statutory harbour authority for the tidal Thames and responsible for +5 miles of the River Thames from the Estuary to Teddington Lock in West London. We work to keep river users safe, protect and enhance the environment and promote the use of the river for trade and travel.

The Role

We are looking for a Senior Accountant to support the provide secure, accurate and timely management and statutory accounting information to support the Chief Accountant.

Role Responsibilities

Prepare the PLA Management Accounts and the associated variance analyses for the Chief Accountant, to enable monitoring and measurement of actual performance against budget, allowing for prompt remedial action to be taken as required.
Manage the preparation of the quarterly financial forecasts for the Chief Accountant.
Manage the capital projects budget, plans and reviews for the Chief Accountant.
Deputise for Chief Accountant as required.

Assistance to the Chief Accountant

Assist with producing the PLA annual financial statements including liaising with external auditors to ensure an unqualified audit opinion is achieved.
Assist in preparation of the annual tax computation, including capital allowances & R&D.
Assist in the preparation of long-term plans.
Assist in co-ordinating office procedures for the recording, production and flow of financial accounting information to comply with statutory, PLA, ISO & HMRC requirements.
Assist in developing, implementing, maintaining and reviewing accounting procedures and computerised systems to ensure the requirements of Boards, Management and statute can be met and are sufficiently robust so as to ensure business continuity.
Assist in devising, implementing, maintaining and reviewing secure procedures and systems for all financial disciplines, in order to safeguard the revenues of the PLA, prevent fraud and error and maximise the interest return on investments.
Assist in the coordination of workflow, mentoring, training and developing of Finance staff to achieve an efficient and motivated workforce capable of meeting the planned workload of the department and ensuring Business Continuity.

Financial Services

Monitor and reconcile the recording of financial information in the computerised accounting systems, to ensure accurate bookkeeping records are maintained.
Examine recorded financial information and liaise with allocated department managers in order to assess and determine departmental prepayments, accruals and provisions.
Interpret, analyse, review and check accuracy and integrity of information before input to the computerised accounting systems, for use as a basis for the construction of the annual budget.

What We Are Looking For

You will have:

Excellent communication skills, with ability to build and maintain positive relationships with senior managers
Attention to detail and strong organisational skills to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively
Ability to work independently and as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability

Benefits Package

30 days annual leave
Medical Cash Plan (Bupa)
Generous pension
Onsite parking with electric charging
Access to Occupational Health, Mindfulness, Counselling and Physiotherapy
Cycle to Work Scheme
Access to MyGymDiscounts

For further information or if you would like to have an informal discussion about the position, please contact Angela Jeffrey on or angela.jeffrey@pla.co.uk.

The PLA are not registered with the UK Home Office and do not sponsor candidates who require a visa or work permit to work in the UK, therefore an offer of employment cannot be made unless you currently hold the rights to live and work in the UK.