Management Accountant

Contract Details

• Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)
• Hours: Full-time (flexible working available)
• Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxon (Hybrid working available; minimum 3 days per week in the office)
• Closing Date: 8 March 2026

Salary: £30,895 per annum

Band: UKRI Band C

The role performs a vital role within the team, providing accounting and administrative support to the three RAL Space Management Accountants and the Head of Finance. It involves supporting the team managing larger projects and handling the financial management of smaller projects. The role works across the RAL space team, interacting with the Project Management Office (PMO) and individual project managers.

It requires significant use of UKRI, STFC, and RAL Space specific IT systems covering accounting and project/bid management, with a detailed understanding of costing, process and controls.

RAL Space is a complex department within STFC, with hundreds of individual projects ranging from multi-year projects with values in excess of £10 m, together with a large volume of in-year smaller projects. It is funded through a variety of income sources including external commercial and ESA contracts, SLAs and grants from other UKRI and government entities, as well as core funding from STFC.

In 2024/25 it had approximately £31.1 m of income against a resource cost base of £43.4 m, with net capital cost of £6.6 m. It operates a significant asset base of space/satellite testing/manufacturing facilities as well as IT assets for internal and external use.

• Review and approve bids and costings of up to £100k, providing advice on completion of bid forms and the bid process with project managers and the PMO.
• Set up and maintain projects in Oracle Project Accounting, including significant volumes of contract extensions and change controls.
• Produce monthly management reports and ad‑hoc reports for project managers detailing project expenditure and income.
• Process monthly revenue adjustments.
• Prepare monthly and ad‑hoc journals to correct project expenditure.
• Liaise with Project Managers and Management Accountants.
• Upload electronic invoices and supporting documentation onto ESA‑P (European Space Agency Portal).
• Attend project and team meetings as required and various UKRI Finance Directorate meetings.
• Monitor and take appropriate actions on the GRNI report.
• Raise invoice requests with UKSBS.

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

• 5 recognised GCSEs including maths & English or equivalent qualifications (S).
• Studying towards AAT or equivalent qualification (S).

• Proficiency in IT skills, including good knowledge of Microsoft Office, in particular Excel (S&I).
• Knowledge of ERP systems (Oracle Fusion, SAP or similar) (S).
• Previous experience working in a finance environment (S).

• Good organisational skills, able to manage and prioritise own workload and meet organisational timelines in a timely manner.
• Good numeracy skills.
• Good written and oral communication & presentation skills.
• Good teammate able to work across different areas.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues.
• Able to establish effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Able to resolve problems independently whilst knowing when to consult or take advice.

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package. We are committed to supporting employees’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning.

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance.

Please apply online. If you experience any issue applying, please contact us.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status, we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.