Graduate - Finance & Accounting

Merck Gruppe - MSD Sharp & Dohme; City Of London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A global biopharmaceutical leader based in London is seeking an entry-level Finance/Accounting graduate to join their UK Finance team. The role involves supporting financial planning, accounting, and compliance activities while working towards professional qualifications such as ACCA or CIMA. Ideal candidates should be pursuing a degree in Maths, Economics, or a related field, and possess strong teamwork and MS application skills. This position promises opportunities for development and potential permanent placement.

Benefits

Guidance towards accounting career goals

Support for professional Finance/Accounting Qualification

Qualifications

• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to work with on-site and remote teams.
• Organised with good time management.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with teams and support transactional accounting activities.
• Respond to inquiries regarding financial results.
• Assist with internal and external audits.

Skills

Studying towards a degree in Maths, Economics or Business-related discipline

Proficient with Microsoft applications

Strong teamwork and communication skills

Attention to detail and ability to work with large datasets

Education

Degree in Maths, Economics or Business-related discipline

Job description

Overview

Job Description

The role is based in Moorgate, London at our co-working facilities. We are a global biopharmaceutical leader with a diverse portfolio of prescription medicines, oncology treatments, vaccines, and animal health products.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a position on the UK Finance team for an entry level Finance/Accounting graduate. This role supports ACC/Accounting qualifications and forms part of a UK Finance team responsible for Financial Planning, Accounting, Tax and Compliance across multiple entities within Human Health and Animal Health divisions.

Our Finance team supports strategic and tactical decision making through financial analysis, planning, accounting, reporting and performance evaluation.

The role involves an 12 month progression in Accounting to Reporting (AtR) with additional responsibilities in Risk & Assurance / Compliance, with opportunities to move into Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and Tax in year 2.

Duties & responsibilities

• Liaise with Regional / Global Delivery teams and support transactional accounting activities while ensuring quality and control requirements (period-end adjustments, PO/invoice processing, cash application, intercompany, fixed assets, etc.).
• Respond to inquiries from key business stakeholders regarding financial results and variances.
• Promote awareness of a strong internal control environment across reportable/legal entities.
• Assist with internal and external audits and review findings, providing recommendations on internal control impacts.

What’s next?

12 months in Financial Planning & Analysis with additional responsibilities in Tax. Year 2: contribute to Human Health FP&A activities, business result reports, forecasts and analyses, alongside local tax support.

Duties & responsibilities (FP&A & Tax)

• Build understanding of the UK Human Health commercial organisation.
• Support month-end close quality, accuracy and timeliness.
• Monitor, track and report business performance (sales and expenses) to aid decision making.
• Support the building of the Financial forecast and submission to Regional Finance.
• Sales analysis and adjustments; maintain internal control environment and GAAP/compliance with corporate policies.
• Work with tax team to prepare and review Direct and Indirect tax returns.

Skills/attributes We Look For

• Studying towards a degree in Maths, Economics or Business-related discipline (predicted or recently completed).
• Proficient with Microsoft applications.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Ability to work with on-site and remote teams.
• Attention to detail and ability to work with large datasets.
• Organised with good time management.

Behaviours We Look For

• Integrity, transparency and accountability.
• Commitment to core values and diversity/inclusion.
• Initiative, proactivity and curiosity.
• Team-oriented and collaborative; clear, effective communication.
• Openness to feedback and continuous improvement.

Other Information

Throughout the contract you will receive guidance toward accounting career goals. You will be supported to undertake your professional Finance/Accounting Qualification (CIMA or ACCA) with a timeline for completion. Permanent opportunities may arise where you can apply and continue your career.

Eligibility

Undergraduate candidates based in the UK who complete their degree between 2024 and 2026. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this program. You must have the right to work in the UK for the entire duration of the 2-year program.

How to Apply

Please complete the online application form and upload your CV and Cover Letter as a combined document in the resume/CV section. The recruitment process includes online application, a virtual conversation and a final assessment.

Start Date: September 2026

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and inclusion. We encourage diverse ideas and collaborative problem solving.

For more information visit our Future Talent page. #UKFT25

Important Notes

Current employees and contingent workers may apply here. We do not provide sponsorship for UK work visas during or after the graduate program. This posting ends on 11:59 PM on the day before the listed end date (10/07/2025).