Senior Accountant

Senior Institute Accountant – (24P-71) The Pirbright Institute Salary: £47,000 - £48,500 per annum Permanent Onsite: Woking, GU24 Application Closing Date: 14/11/2024 Before applying, please consider all applicants must be eligible to work in the UK Please send a Cover Letter alongside your CV to ****** About The Pirbright Institute The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect, and respond to viral disease outbreaks.
We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors.
Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats.
Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds, and experience.
We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute's aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live.
Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a 'one Institute' approach.
Organisation position and purpose The Senior Institute Accountant is a pivotal member of the Finance team and will support the department in delivering an excellent service to all its internal & external stakeholders.
The Senior Institute Accountant will support the Head of Finance by leading the operational day-to-day elements involved with running an effective management accounts team, and will also play a vital role in managing, with the Senior Financial Accountant, the preparation of the year end annual report and accounts and audit thereof.
Main duties and responsibilities: Statutory Reports - Lead in the preparation to completion of the Year End Statutory accounts and annual report.
- Collaborate with external auditors during the year-end audit, ensuring full compliance with the Charity SORP FRS102.
Month End Reports - Ownership of monthly management accounts for all internal operational stakeholders, including clear commentary explaining variances against budgets/forecasts.
- Review of work completed by management accountants.
- Preparation of monthly and quarterly Stakeholder packs.
- Attendance to Stakeholder meetings.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and provide financial analysis to improve operational efficiency of the Institute.
- Production of monthly Finance dashboard.
Budgeting & Budgetary Control - Lead the budgeting process, financial forecasting, and long-term planning to ensure financial efficiency and effectiveness with the internal operational stakeholders.
- Overseeing preparation and forecasting of annual budget including salary budget.
- Effective monitoring of budgets.
- Lead the Institute Assessment exercise to obtain funding from the Institute's main funder and prepare all reporting required as part of that funding.
Line Management - Your team consists of three management accountants in the overall Finance team of fourteen.
- Manage, develop, and mentor your team to be the 'easiest team to work with' both within the Institute and amongst our funders.
Internal Controls - Assist in ensuring a strong internal control environment, with clear and well-defined segregation of duties is developed and maintained.
- Prepare and update system and process documentation.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of streamlined financial policies and procedures for smooth, efficient operations.
- Seek to continuously improve all existing systems, processes, and controls.
Stakeholder Engagement - Liaise across the Institute to build relationships between finance and other departments.
- Act as the Head of Finance Deputy in meetings and managing the team in the absence of the Head of Finance.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for financial matters with key stakeholders, including internal & external customers.
- Ensure budget holders are kept up to date with their progress against budget and maintain a dialogue regarding potential issues and risks which would then be highlighted to the Head of Finance.
- Undertake ad hoc financial analysis as required to support Institute partners.
- Undertake ad hoc financial analysis as required from time to time.
This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role.
The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager.
The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.
Personal Specification Time management, reliability under pressure, decision making and problem-solving skills, action-oriented, results driven, passionate, engaging and professionally curious.
Essential/Desirable requirements Essential - Qualified Accountant in either CIMA, ACCA or ACA.
- Good and proven management skills.
- Knowledge of Public Sector, Charities SORP FRS102 and Companies Act requirements financial requirements.
- Ability to produce statutory accounts from preparation to completion, ready for auditing.
- Knowledge of management and project accounting.
- Advanced skills for excel and word.
Desirable - Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of Access Financials accounting software.
- Knowledge of Charity law, Company Law and VAT.
- Proven track record of providing internal financial reports and analysis.
- Experience of dealing with organisational change.
- To work well under pressure, in particular due to competing deadlines.
- To be able to work independently and with little direct supervision.
- To be able to work as part of a team whilst managing their own work.
- Understanding of PowerPoint.
Due to the nature of the work carried out by Pirbright, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.
What we offer - Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings).
- 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days.
- Buy and sell annual leave.
- Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave.
- Pirbright gym with subsidised membership.
- Pirbright social club.
- Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site).
- Cycle to work.
- Subsidised employee restaurant.
- Childcare allowance.
- Free onsite parking.
- Electric car charging facilities.