Financial Planning & Analysis - Assistant Management Accountant

Financial Planning & Analysis - Assistant Management Accountant

Reports to: FP&A Manager

This is a permanent position on Crick terms and conditions of employment. Part-time applications are welcomed.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Francis Crick Institute (the Crick) is a partnership between the Medical Research Council (MRC), Cancer Research UK (CRUK), the Wellcome Trust, University College London (UCL), Imperial College London and King’s College London. It is a registered charity whose purpose is to conduct biomedical research into all aspects of human health and disease.

The Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Assistant Management Accountant supports the Operations functions. These comprise but are not limited to the ~12 directorates (e.g. HR, Legal, Communications) that collaborate with and support the ~120 Research Groups at the Francis Crick Institute (“the Crick”). This is an exciting time for Operations as a new seven-year funding plan, totalling £1bn in core funding, enables the Crick the long-term planning of change projects to support the world class science within the organisation.

The Assistant Management Accountant is responsible for the production of the month end management accounts, from initial journals through to variance analysis and discussion with budget managers on exceptional items as part of business partnering responsibilities. The role also leads on the development and improvement of the Crick’s budgeting, and performance monitoring of the directorates.

With support from the FP&A Manager in business partnering with Operations, the Assistant Management Accountant also works across the ~£20m capital expenditure portfolio and supports the stewardship and reporting of philanthropic opportunities and donations. . It is expected that, based on a track record of high performance, these responsibilities will increase over time as part of the FP&A team’s commitment to develop staff by providing a varied and challenging portfolio of work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

These include but are not limited to:

• Production of monthly management accounts within agreed timescales, including accruals, prepayments and ledger analysis. [approx. 30%]

• Support the annual budget and quarterly forecasting processes, partnering with budget holders to deliver in completion and to deadline. Partner with the Operations directorates on a proactive basis performing a strong analysis and advisory service based on an evolving suite of management reporting. [approx. 20%]

• Assist in the build out of finance processes to support thePhilanthropy team and income stream, from gift agreement approval to receipt of cash and recognition of income and costs. [approx. 20%]

• Support the capital expenditure process, reviewing business cases to ensure they are robust and tracking spend vs budget. Working cross-functionally with other Finance Heads including Operations and Control and Sourcing to ensure value for money and adherence with Crick strategy. [approx. 20%]

• Ad hoc responsibilities and projects as required by management, funders and other stakeholders, as directed by the FP&A Manager for Operations and Head of FP&A and dependent on team workload and priorities. [approx. 10%]

KEY EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial. The following qualities, experience and competencies are also essential or desirable:

Essential

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant looking to complete exams (ACCA/CIMA).

• Experience working in a financial or management accounting function.

• Strong hands-on planning and analysis experience with familiarity with a range of reporting and ERP systems. Ability to communicate financial information and best practice to non-finance managers and directors.

• Excellent attention to detail, with a drive to improve financial processes wherever possible.

• Ability to work flexibly with others and contribute effectively across a broad range of activities and projects, prioritising work and managing deadlines.

• Intermediate to Advanced working knowledge of finance systems and Microsoft Office applications.

• Ability to work within a hybrid environment, which currently comprises 3 days per week working from the Crick’s award-winning building.

Desirable

• Experience working in a diverse, dynamic and complex organisation.

• Workday knowledge of Workday ERP system.

• Experience writing reports and preparing data to drive reviews and decisions at a senior level within an organisation.

• An interest in natural science.

• Experience of working in a research environment.

Benefits

The Crick prides itself on being a dynamic and inclusive place to work. The successful applicant will be able to access the following benefits:

• Study support package including training and exam fees

• Competitive salary package with pension contribution up to 16%

• Brand new, state-of-the-art offices with a fun and engaging culture

• 39 days off (28 days holiday + 8 bank holidays + additional 3 days over Christmas/New Year)

• Wide-range of Crick training courses available

• Flexible hybrid working policy

• Life insurance cover of 4x salary

• Annual travel season ticket loan

• Subsidised canteen and coffee shop

• Join in with Crickster quizzes, 5-a-side football, and much more