Financial Accountant

This role is for 14-month maternity cover with expected start date in early January 2026About Smart Data FoundrySmart Data Foundry has a purpose to unlock the power of financial data as a force to improve people's lives.What we doWe enable the research ecosystem to flourish through the provision of research ready real financial data.We create data-driven insights based on real financial data, that identify areas to inform policy change and enhance regulation.Role PurposeThis role is for 14-month maternity coverThis role contributes to the accurate and timely preparation of the monthly financial reports and quarterly grant returns; leads the account payable and receivable activities and assists the Head of Finance in budgeting and forecasting and the procurement process.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Reports ResponsibilityWork closely with the Management Accountant on the timely preparation of Smart Data Foundry's monthly financial results, including completion of journals (payroll) and the provision of variance analysis reporting to budget and forecastUpdate monthly project reporting to obtain monthly cost of sales and understand profit/loss on individual projectsAssist with the annual statutory audit through the provision of requested workings and supporting documents as requested by PWCSupport the Head of Finance in preparing the quarterly Board financials reports and any ad hoc information, including the preparation of the annual statutory accounts documentReview and reconcile monthly payroll reports from Smart Data Foundry's payroll agency and ensure the staff costs align to the monthly financial resultsPrepare monthly reconciliations (such as deferred revenue, debtors, creditors) and other balance sheet accounts to support the monthly results.Grant ReportingPrepare the quarterly grant claim forms on a timely and accurate basis with back-up reconciliations and supporting invoices to provide, where requested, to external auditors and the grant monitoring officersContribute to defining the allocation methodology for both resource and costs being claimed across multiple grant awards and ensuring compliance to the grant award terms and conditionsAssist with the annual grant audit through providing the supporting documents as requested by the external grant auditor including responding to ad-hoc queriesRespond to any ad-hoc queries from the Smart Data Foundry grant providers on a timely basisCash Flow Management Regularly update the 13-week cash-flow forecasts to proactively manage the cash positions and support cash injections and outflows between the investment and current bank accountsContribute to the completion of ad-hoc cash management exercisesSupplier and Customer EngagementLead on all account payable and receivable activities, alongside other finance team members, with the aim of ensuring the accurate and timely processing, supplier payment and cash receiptsSupport the Head of Finance and internal stakeholders in ensuring procurement process is followed effectively and resolving any ad-hoc queriesMonthly TimesheetsAssist the rest of the finance team with coordinating the timely receipt of individual monthly timesheets and importing into Microsoft Dynamics finance systemWhere required, identify and support the implementation of process changes to improve the efficiency and timeliness of timesheet recordingCustomer PricingSupport the calculation of new business customer pricing covering a range of potential new contracts including grant bid opportunities and new customersBudgeting and ForecastingAssist the Management Accountant and Head of Finance in the delivery of the annual budget and quarterly forecast outputsCollaborate with, and where necessary, challenge internal stakeholders on delivery of their financial and business targetsFinance Support PartnerProvide finance partnering support to Smart Data Foundry to increase financial awareness, cost management and profitable income growthManage and respond to financial and accounts queries raised by a variety of stakeholders including Smart Data Foundry colleagues, the University, external auditors and grant bodiesContinuous ImprovementAdopt a continuous improvement approach to all outputs and processes to increase automation and improve efficiency levels of day to day working practicesEssential Know-HowThis role requires a finalist qualified accountant who is either studying towards a formal accountancy qualification (such as ICAS, ICAEW ACCA, ICMA) or holds qualification through relevant experience.Alternatively, the job holder could hold an accountancy degree (minimum 2.1).The following skills are an essential requirement for the roleHigh accounting and finance technical skill-setStrong communicator, specifically possesses a good grasp of building relationships with their team and a variety of stakeholders on both a virtual and in-person basisGood planning and organising skills specifically with adhering to timely completion of monthly/quarterly routine tasksDelivery of high quality financial outputsAbility to operate in a fast-paced and environmentEnthusiastic with a 'can do' positive approachThis role requires experience in -Accounts preparation including accruals and prepaymentsExcel (lookups, sumifs, pivot table) is essential, Dynamics Business central and Power BI experience is desirableCash flow forecastingAccounts payable and payroll activitiesForecasting and budgetingAbility to deal with ambiguity and react quickly in an evolving and fast paced environment.Ability to work autonomously, under pressure and with conflicting and changing priorities.Excellent verbal and written communication skillsPersonable approach with ability to develop positive working relationships at all levels within an organisationSelf-motivated and proactive