Chartered Accountant & Commercial Finance Lead | Hybrid

We are a premier, market-leading distributor and service provider operating at the forefront of the life sciences, scientific instrumentation, and laboratory supplies sector. With an extensive portfolio of over 100,000 products, international partnerships, and high-level technical support services, we empower research laboratories, pharmaceutical leaders, and industrial facilities across the UK and beyond.

As our business continues to expand its market footprint and drive sustainable growth, we are looking for a highly capable Chartered Accountant to join our core finance leadership team.

The Role

Reporting directly to senior management, you will play a critical role in managing financial operations, ensuring corporate compliance, driving month-end processes, and providing strategic commercial analysis.

This is a dynamic position suited for a proactive qualified accountant who enjoys a blend of hands-on financial management, robust reporting, and business-partnering across various business functions (sales, supply chain, and operations).

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Management & Reporting: Oversee the preparation of accurate monthly management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations, cash-flow forecasting, and year-end audit packs.
• Commercial & Operational Finance: Work closely with commercial teams to monitor margins, product inventory valuations, supplier rebate structures, and international trading logistics.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure strict adherence to UK GAAP/IFRS standards, tax compliance (VAT, corporate tax), and regulatory requirements.
• Process Improvement: Evaluate current financial systems and controls, identifying opportunities to streamline workflows, enhance automation, and upgrade reporting efficiency.
• Business Partnering: Deliver actionable financial insights and KPI tracking to non-finance department leads to support commercial decision-making and operational planning.

Candidate Profile

Required Qualifications &

Experience:

• Professional Qualification: Fully qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAS, ICAEW, ACCA, or equivalent).
• Industry Experience: Minimum 3–5 years post-qualification experience within a commercial, wholesale, distribution, manufacturing, or B2B products background.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong command of core accounting principles, standard costings, stock/inventory accounting, and tax compliance.
• Systems Expertise: Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and hands-on experience using modern ERP systems or specialized accounting software.

Soft Skills & Personal Attributes:

• Strong analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate financial figures into strategic commercial narrative for stakeholders.
• Adaptable, self-motivated, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
• Hybrid Working: 3 days on-site in South Lanarkshire, 2 days working from home.
• Competitive salary package with performance-related rewards.
• Company pension plan.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Professional development and progression opportunities within a growing business.