Financial Accountant

Hybrid: 2-3 days in the office requirement

The Financial Accountant role plays an important role in the financial reporting department to ensure accurate internal and external reporting across several companies in the Group. The role supports the Group Financial Controller to achieve a best in class finance function to meet the demands of a private equity backed & medium sized pharmaceutical group. If you are keen to join a patient centric, high-growth company, then read on and apply today!

Essential Pharma is a global pharmaceutical company working to make a difference for patients in niche populations.

Everything at Essential Pharma is driven by the fact that every patient matters. We are focussed on developing and delivering medicines for patients in small, underserved or rare disease populations. Our team of 70+ people has an entrepreneurial spirit, challenging convention and working creatively to deliver results. Our headquarters are in Surrey, UK, and we have offices in Malta, France, Spain and Switzerland.

We are an international business, with a growing product portfolio that reaches patients in approximately 70 countries. We cover multiple therapy areas with a particular focus on rare disease, CNS, ophthalmology and gastroenterology. Our first development-stage asset is an anti-GD2 antibody for the treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma. We have a proven track record of acquiring, investing in and commercialising treatments.

Financial Reporting and Accounting:

• Prepare journal entries across various areas of the financial statements on a monthly basis, including fixed assets, prepayments, payroll entries, accruals and foreign currency related postings.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations to a high standard every month ensuring there is adequate support and any actions raised by the Group Financial Controller are resolved in a timely manner.
• Provide variance analysis and commentary across P&L and Balance sheet items to ensure completeness and support with routine management reporting.
• Contribute to the monthly and quarterly reporting cycles by providing ad hoc support as needed to meet tight deadlines.

Statutory Entity Responsibility:

• Ownership of several key trading entities within the Group, ensuring accurate reporting to management and external stakeholders.
• Provide analysis and commentary of variances in P&L and Balance sheet to ensure completeness and statutory compliance.
• Oversee the preparation of financial statements for several entities in the group.
• Provide support to auditors to ensure filing deadlines are met and mitigate audit findings.
• Ensure regulatory filings (e.g., statutory reports, tax submissions) are completed accurately and on time.
• Prepare statutory account schedules and notes, liaising finance teams for audit documentation.

System and Process Optimization:

• Continuously strive to improve existing practices and processes to improve efficiency or improve the control environment.
• Work collaboratively with all stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and suggest changes relevant to areas of responsibility.
• Support with improvements in financial systems and reporting tools to streamline processes and enhance reporting accuracy.
• Carry out testing on new systems or changes to existing systems to ensure the correct accounting and reporting outcomes are achieved.

Ad-hoc projects

• Opportunity to participate in ad-hoc finance projects with GFC depending on interest and development needs.

• Professional finance and/or accounting qualification ACA, ACCA or CIMA (completed or part qualified and working towards qualification).

• Good knowledge of FRS
  102 and IFRS
• Strong knowledge of internal and external reporting requirements
• Strong knowledge of finance processes and related controls
• Previous experience working in accounting practice (desirable)
• Proactive approach to problem solving and implementing improvements
• Ability to work under pressure whilst still maintaining attention to detail and effective controls
• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities
• A team player with proven ability to work collaboratively with others
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• We understand that productivity requires balance, so we offer office-based contracts and allow flexibility on locations of work when required and appropriate. This can be different for each department so please have that conversation at interview
• £150 towards your home office
• Pension – you contribute 5% and we offer 5%.
• Life Insurance – lump sum (tax free) death benefit of 4 x basic salary.
• Enhanced family leave
• 25 days annual leave
• Discretionary annual performance bonus

• At Essential Pharma, every colleague matters: we want every member of the team to thrive and grow during their time with us
• Right from the interview stage, we encourage candidates to ask us questions, voice opinions and be curious
• This is a dynamic, fast-paced working environment. We expect…