Management Accountant

UKRI; Swindon; On-site; GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled finance professional to oversee budgeting and forecasting processes. This pivotal role involves managing financial reporting and ensuring accuracy in income management for various business units. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical and organizational skills, with experience in a finance environment. You'll be part of a dynamic team, contributing to strategic decision-making and process improvements. Join a forward-thinking organization that values diversity and offers excellent benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and employee discounts. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact in a collaborative and inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension scheme

Excellent holiday entitlement

Employee shopping/travel discounts

Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in management accounting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• AAT Qualified or equivalent experience required.

Responsibilities

• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting for MRC Extramural.
• Collaborate with finance teams for timely income cycle management.

Skills

Management Accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial Reporting

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Education

AAT Qualified

Part Qualified Accountant (CCAB, CIMA)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Oracle

Job description

UK Research and Innovation

Salary: £36,650 per annum.
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire.

Closing Date: 27th April 2025

Purpose of the role:

Responsible for the budgeting, forecasting & management reporting for Income for MRC Exramural and other business units as agreed, including the provision of timely & focused financial information and analysis to help inform budget management & business strategy. Manage the end-to-end Income process for MRC Extramural.

Key Areas of Accountability:

Leadership / teamwork / collaboration

1. Build & maintain good working relationships with colleagues & partners and provide input and advice where needed to assist in the resolution of queries, & to share new ways of working.
2. Act as the day-to-day lead for all MRC extramural co-funding income. Working closely with partners to ensure that Income is in line with the forecast position and major financial risks are effectively managed.
3. Support the Finance Business Partners. (FBP’s) & deputise for them as & when required.
4. Provide constructive ideas for improvement in processes & procedures that would deliver further efficiencies & service enhancement.
5. Be the specialist/owner for specific finance tasks.
6. Act as a role model by promoting a team-based culture; motivating colleagues to deliver consistently high levels of performance & continuous improvement.

Delivery / programmes / projects / process

1. Responsible for managing the quarterly income cycle for MRC in-line with agreed reporting procedures including accruals and prepayments, recharges with counter-parties, and any other applicable accounting adjustments; communicating any key timelines as necessary.
2. Prepare month-end reports and variance analysis to support programmes managers & FBP’s in their day to day decision making; highlighting any issues or concerns as appropriate.
3. Provide other periodic and ad hoc reports, financial information and commentary as required.
4. Collaborate closely with financial accounting team on cash flow.
5. Reporting future commitments & produce management information on these for budgeting & forecasting, planning & programmes management.
6. Keep up to date with all relevant accounting developments that have a potential impact on your role and UKRI finance & accounting in general.

Other:

This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main duties and responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role in conjunction with their line manager. The post holder may be asked to carry out any other delegated duty or task that is in line with the post.

Essential Skills/Qualifications/Experience:

(S) – Assessed at shortlisting
(I) – Assessed at interview
(S&I) – Assessed at both shortlisting and interview

Qualifications:

1. AAT Qualified and/or Part Qualified Accountant (CCAB, CIMA), actively studying towards qualification, or equivalent experience. (S)

Experience & knowledge:

1. Experience in similar management accounting, budgeting & forecasting role(s) (S&I)
2. Previous experience of working in a Finance environment. (S&I)
3. Experience of financial reporting and income management. (S&I)
4. Good IT skills, including good knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Excel. (S&I)
5. Previous experience of Oracle, or of similar ERP accounting systems (desirable) (S&I)

Skills & abilities:

1. Good organisational skills, able to manage and prioritise own workload and meet deadlines in a timely manner. (I)
2. Strong numeracy & analytical skills (I)
3. Good written and oral communication & presentation skills (S&I)
4. Good team player able to work across different areas (S&I)
5. Strong attention to detail and accuracy (S&I)
6. The ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues (I)
7. Able to establish effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders (I)
8. Good problem-solving skills – able to resolve issues independently whilst knowing when to consult or take advice (I)

About UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI launched in April 2018, UKRI is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).

Our organisation brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England, which is responsible for supporting research and knowledge exchange at higher education institutions in England, and the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK. Together we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision to ensure the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.