Assistant Accountant - Projects

at  Medicines Discovery Catapult

Based at Alderley Park, Medicines Discovery Catapult is a national Life Sciences service dedicated to turning drug discovery into commercial breakthroughs. We accelerate the development of science, and where there are areas of unmet patient need, we stimulate innovation.
By transforming drug discovery, we can improve patient lives, increase the impact of the UK Life Sciences sector, and create a healthier society and economy. Our interventions work. Since we started, we have helped over 300 companies raise over £1bn of R&D investment. We seek passionate individuals who are eager to collaborate, innovate, and make a tangible difference in the field of drug discovery.
Together, we can unlock new therapies, enhance patient outcomes, and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of life sciences innovation. If you are ready to make an impact, we invite you to be part of our journey.

The values of the Catapult are:

• Excellence – we continually strive to deliver the best solutions for our partners and for each other. In everything we do, we instil confidence.
• Integrity – Our strong commitment to what we do and why we are here drives us to do the right thing for our partners and each other.
• Community – We’re a strong team, we work well together, and we respect each other.
• Innovation - We’re driven by the need to make a difference. We constantly look for ways to drive change in our sector and how we work.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Previous exposure to working on grant funded projects with insight into grant rules, submission of claims for grant reimbursement and audit preparation. Innovate UK grant funding experience would be particularly desirable.
• Strong IT skills, particularly accounting systems and excel skills, including data manipulation and interrogation.Confident in communication with both internal and external contacts, including those without financial expertise.
• Attention to detail and commitment to service delivery and excellence.
• Strong organisational skills, including ability to meet deadlines and accuracy of information provided.
• Work on own initiative or as part of a team.
• Committed, flexible, with a ‘can-do’ attitude.
• AAT qualified or equivalent.
  Closing date: Friday 31st January 2025

ROLE PURPOSE:

To support the Finance team in the accurate reporting and control of the MDC project and financial portfolio through the processing and reconciliation of financial transactions and financial analysis.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide high quality financial support to the finance team in the accounting for projects within MDC. To include the monitoring of performance against budgets and working with the wider team in the provision of accurate financial and cash forecasts including grant funded projects.
• To support in the compilation, financial review, and analysis of grant projects for submission to the relevant funding body and Monitoring Officer, including quarterly audits where applicable. To include compliance with all grant terms and conditions.
• To process nominal, project revenue and project cost journals for month end reporting.
• Provide financial data to support internal and external KPI reporting monthly providing commentary where appropriate to internal/external stakeholders.
• To maintain the commercial project invoice tracker working alongside the Project Delivery and commercial teams and to raise project sales invoices as per contractual terms or on achievement of project milestones.
• New customer system set up and debt management to terms across the commercial and grant portfolio.
• Active management of the project finance mailbox supporting our customers and internal commercial, project management and delivery teams.
• Be familiar with UK GAAP and grant Financial Regulations and Procedures.
• Balance sheet reconciliation and control of financial and project related accounts including accrued and deferred revenue.
• To identify and escalate financial risks and opportunities, ensuring they are understood, communicated, and appropriately managed.
• Assist with the Year-End Audit/tax process, producing analysis and schedules as requested by the team.
• May be required to undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Finance team in the processing and analysis of financial transactions and other key stakeholders aligned to development in the role.