Financial Accountant

Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

About EIT:

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford's purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity's most challenging problems.

EIT Oxford will ensure scientific discoveries and pioneering science are turned into products for the benefit of society that can have high-impact worldwide and, over time, be commercialised to ensure long-term sustainability.

Led by a faculty of world experts, EIT Oxford seeks to solve the world's most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: health and medical science; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate change and clean energy; and government innovation in an era of artificial intelligence.

EIT Oxford is investing significant resources in a new world-class research and development facility in the Oxford Science Park. Set for completion in 2027, the state-of-the-art campus includes 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and educational and meeting spaces. Together, they create the perfect environment for EIT Oxford experts to take ground-breaking ideas from research to broad implementation. The new facility will further EIT's current partnership with the University of Oxford and become the new home for Ellison Scholars.

EIT Oxford is committed to cultivating a community where excellence is achieved through collaboration, trust, innovation and tenacity. We foster an environment where everyone's experience and expertise are valued. We are curious and resilient in our efforts to drive long-term, sustainable innovation to meet humanity's most enduring challenges.

EIT Oxford is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Financial Accountant to support the Financial Controller in ensuring the financial integrity of the organisation. The Financial Accountant will play a key role in the preparation of financial statements, statutory reporting, reconciliations, and financial controls, ensuring compliance with UK financial regulations and best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Assist in the preparation of statutory financial statements, ensuring accuracy and compliance with UK accounting standards.
2. Support the annual statutory audit process, including preparation of audit files, analysis, and responding to auditor queries.
3. Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring timely resolution of reconciling items and preparing commentary where necessary.
4. Ensure compliance with financial policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
5. Support Group financial reporting requirements and ensure data accuracy.
6. Support the Financial Controller in implementing and monitoring financial controls and risk management procedures.
7. Work to deadlines to ensure timely month end and year-end financial close processes, proactively communicating any delays and ensuring financial data integrity is maintained.
8. Process and reconcile corporate allocations, transfer pricing adjustments, R&D recharges, and tax provisions.
9. Assist and maintain the risk register, updating identified risks regularly and communicating new and growing risks to relevant management.
10. Maintain procedural documentation covering all tasks.
11. Work closely with the accounts payable and accounts receivable teams to assist with financial transaction processing.
12. Assist in cash flow management, ensuring accurate forecasting and timely remittance of funds.
13. Assist in financial system improvements, including ERP enhancements (Oracle Fusion preferred) and reporting automation.
14. Collaborate with other departments to support budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
15. Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and financial reporting accuracy.
16. Support ad hoc financial projects and analysis as required by the Financial Controller and Finance Director.

Requirements:

1. Part-qualified or finalist accountant (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent) with strong knowledge of UK accounting standards and financial regulations.
2. Strong Excel and analytical skills.
3. Experience in financial reporting, statutory accounts preparation, and audit processes.
4. Strong technical accounting skills and experience in balance sheet and income statement reconciliations.
5. Experience in transaction processing and maintaining financial controls within a complex organisation.
6. Proficiency in ERP systems (Oracle Fusion preferred) and strong Microsoft Excel skills.
7. Ability to work to tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
8. Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and provide clear insights.
9. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
10. Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise workload, and work independently.
11. Experience working within a fast-paced, high-growth, or technology-driven environment is an advantage.

Nice to have but not essential:

1. Experience of working in a multi-national environment would be advantageous.

Benefits:

Terms of Appointment:

1. You must have the right to work permanently in the UK with a willingness to travel as necessary.
2. You will live in, or within easy commuting distance of, Oxford.
3. During peak periods, some longer hours may be required and some working across multiple time zones due to the global nature of the programme.

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

We offer the following salary and benefits:

1. Salary: £40K - £60K + travel allowance & bonus
2. Enhanced holiday pay
3. Pension
4. Life Assurance
5. Income Protection
6. Private Medical Insurance
7. Hospital Cash Plan
8. Therapy Services
9. Perk Box

Please note that we are not looking for agency support on this role.