Senior Financial Accountant

Manchester, UK | Hybrid – 1 day per week in the office + every 3rd Monday
Salary: £55,000
Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences

The Opportunity

An established global organisation within the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector is looking to appoint a Senior Financial Accountant to join its international finance function.

This role would suit an experienced accountant who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment, takes ownership of month-end and balance sheet activities, and is motivated by improving processes and driving positive change.

The Role

As Senior Accountant, you will play a key role in the delivery of the month-end close and wider Record-to-Report activities. You will take ownership of key accounting areas, ensure reconciliations are completed accurately, investigate variances and support the wider finance team with technical accounting matters.

You will also have the opportunity to influence how processes operate, identifying areas where controls, systems and reporting can be improved.

Key Responsibilities

Month-End & Financial Accounting

• Take ownership of assigned month-end, quarter-end and year-end activities.
• Prepare and review journals and supporting accounting schedules.
• Manage key balance sheet accounts and complete detailed reconciliations.
• Review accounting entries and investigate unusual or unexpected movements.
• Prepare variance analysis and provide meaningful commentary to senior stakeholders.
• Support accurate and timely financial reporting across multiple entities.

Balance Sheet & Intercompany

• Maintain the integrity of key balance sheet accounts.
• Investigate and resolve aged or complex reconciling items.
• Oversee intercompany transactions and work with relevant teams to resolve differences.
• Review bank reconciliations and ensure outstanding items are cleared promptly.

Controls & Compliance

• Ensure accounting activities are completed in line with relevant accounting standards and internal policies.
• Maintain effective financial controls across assigned processes.
• Support internal and external audits, providing information and resolving queries.
• Assist with the implementation of accounting policies and changes to financial processes.

Process Improvement & Change

• Challenge existing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Drive improvements to accounting controls, reporting and reconciliations.
• Support finance transformation, automation and system enhancement projects.
• Take ownership of implementing agreed process improvements.

Team & Stakeholder Support

• Act as a technical point of contact for accounting queries.
• Provide guidance and review the work of more junior team members.
• Build strong working relationships across Finance, Tax, Treasury, Audit and wider business functions.
• Communicate financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualified or part-qualified ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
• 4–8 years’ experience within financial accounting.
• Strong month-end and balance sheet accounting experience.
• Proven experience with reconciliations, journals, intercompany and variance analysis.
• Experience working within a global, shared services or multi-entity finance environment.
• Previous experience within pharmaceutical, life sciences, healthcare or another regulated environment would be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of accounting standards and financial controls.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using ERP/finance systems.
• Experience of improving processes, controls or systems.
• Strong analytical skills with a proactive approach to resolving issues.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working with stakeholders at all levels.

Why Consider This Role?

This is an opportunity to join a global pharmaceutical and life sciences business where Finance plays an important role in supporting continued growth and operational performance.

You will have the opportunity to take ownership of key accounting activities while being encouraged to challenge processes, drive change and contribute to wider finance transformation initiatives.

Package

• Salary: £55,000
• Hybrid working: 1 day per week in the office, plus every 3rd Monday in the office
• Benefits package
• Global working environment
• Opportunities for professional and career development