Our client is a dynamic, rewarding place to work. You would benefit from having the security of a major global chemical corporation yet working in small offices based locally.

To assist and support the Financial Controller with the preparation and execution of accounting processes, financial reporting, cash management, VAT, asset management, payroll and pensions.

Working Style: Hybrid working is an option. It would be expected that initially the role would be fully office-based until the successful candidate is fully trained up and embedded. After this point home working could be discussed but it should be noted this is discretionary and dependent on business needs in a particular week. Typically, the team, once fully trained up, work a few days from home each week and try to be in the office at the same time.

Duties:

* Process all purchase invoices and employee expense forms in a timely manner, ensuring coding and approval of invoices is in accordance with company compliance and control policies and procedures.
* Prepare and process monthly payment run reports, updating all the payments to the ledger in a timely manner.
* Reconcile supplier statements to aged creditor reports within the accounting system and resolve any issues.
* Maintain a purchase ledger filing system that is easily accessible to the Finance team.
* Maintain the archiving records of purchase ledger records.
* Timely identification and resolution of queries involving phone or written communication with internal team or external suppliers.
* Processing and ensuring the accuracy of the bank account postings.
* Manage Petty Cash - sterling and other currencies.
* Manage and maintain the Fixed Asset Register, recording additions, disposals, depreciation charges and assisting the annual verification process.
* Assist with the preparation of monthly payroll.
* Process pension contribution payments.
* Process year-end payroll data for employees and the HMRC.

General

* Understand and abide by the group's compliance policies and procedures at all times.
* Ensure highest ethical standards at all times.
* Ensure that any compliance concerns or violations are brought the attention of the appropriate persons as required.
* Actively engaging in compliance related matters, including compliance related training and compliance promotion activities.
* Propose updates of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in appropriate areas of work.
* Assist the Finance Department in the achievement of its daily, weekly, monthly and annual objectives and any other duties within the company as required.
* Administer the central finance email inbox.
* Ensure an understanding of and abide by the health, safety and environmental policies and procedures in place within the business.

Key Working Relationships:

* Work closely with the Financial Controller, providing feedback on day-to-day running of the department and suggest recommendations for areas needing improvement.
* Liaise with accounting software providers to ensure maintenance and functionality of the accounting system.
* Liaise with payroll and pension providers to ensure the systems operate effectively for both the business and employees.
* Liaise with the HR departments in managing the administration of the payroll and pension systems.
* Liaise with external advisors on audit material.

Skills required:

* Educated to at least 'A' level standard and with a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/5 or above, including Maths and English.
* Substantial experience of working within a finance and accounting department is required. For example, having demonstrable experience of at least three of the following areas: Purchase Ledger, Bank, VAT, Management Accounts preparation, Payroll and Sales ledger and has experience of working in an independent Accounts Assistant/Senior Purchase Ledger Clerk/Bookkeeper type level role.
* Strong understanding of double entry bookkeeping, accounting best practices and principles is required, achieved either by relevant experience or accounting qualifications.
* A demonstrated ability to be effective in both verbal and written communications
* Good IT skills, in particular, advanced competency in MS Excel and application to accounting systems is required.
* Experience of working in a R&D organisation would be desirable.

Benefits:

* They offer a fantastic holiday allowance (27 days for full time employees) plus bank holidays, an additional day off to celebrate your birthday and a day off for you to undertake voluntary work aligned with our values.
* In addition, we have flexitime and home-working arrangements.
* Private Health
* Dental Insurance
* Life assurance
* Income protection insurance,
* An Employee Assistance Programme
* Pension scheme.
* Generous sign-on bonus