Senior Financial Accountant

Senior Financial Accountant

Location – Manchester, UK

Hybrid working 2 days in the office, 3 days WFH

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

Role Purpose:

As a Senior Financial Accountant, you will support the EMEA RTR Supervisor to improve the process and establishment of procedures to secure compliance in all processes managed by the organization.
EMEA wide responsibility for the delivery of management accounting activities and other Lonza legal entities by working autonomously to follow established procedures, accounting principles and guidelines, in order to Maintain the organizations procedures accurately. Support the other team members (SMEs and R2R Accountants) with questions, concerns or any additional support they may need.

Key Accountabilities:

• Ensure month, quarter and year end tasks are executed in a timely and accurate manner for areas of responsibility. Examples of activities included, but not limited to, Fixed Assets, Intercompany, Controlling and accruals. In addition, involves playing a key part of the Lonza budget setting process at the year end
• Lead and coordinate core EMEA wide activities supporting the month end tasks and look for ways to streamline/improve the process. Once improvement opportunity has been identified, you will be required to take the lead on the improvement project, liaising with key internal stakeholders when required
• Take ownership of assigned area. This will involve, but not limited to reviewing balance sheet accounts & Intercompany, and other technical aspects of the R2R function, providing detailed analysis when required. Resolve accounting discrepancies and irregularities, escalate it to key internal stakeholders
• Ensure the financial records/statements are maintained in compliance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as well as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as needed, following the Lonza internal policies and procedures. Promote the right application of the policies across the organization
• Play a key role in both internal/external financial Audits. Ensure all financial entries have relevant and enough back up documentation, and assist Auditors as required (provide financial information, provide support when required).
• Support other areas of the business as and when required. This could include providing project support to other Finance Areas, the businesses and other groups within the organization
• Other Adhoc duties such as help organizing workflow and ensuring the team understand their duties or delegated tasks

Key requirements:

• ACA/ACCA/Chartered Accountant Qualification preferred – though can consider profiles on verge of becoming qualified
• Knowledge of IFRS in area of specialism
• Experience of supporting multiple country/unit based market controllers, providing both a SME and transactional function to ensure a high quality R2R service is delivered;
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong communication skills (oral and written)
• Fluent English – second EU language would be an advantage but not critical
• Good understanding of accounting principles (IFRS and UK GAAP).
• Ability to multi-task, priorities work, demonstrate accuracy and pay attention to detail, meet deadlines. 
• Detailed system and process knowledge to consistently challenge procedures and propose improvements by working cross functionally.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.