R&D Financial Analyst – Expanding Specialism

R&D Financial Analyst – Expanding Specialism!

Abacus Careers is recruiting a Senior R&D Financial Analyst to join a growing Innovation Tax team in Belfast City Centre.

This is a specialist finance‑focused opportunity for someone who enjoys getting into the detail of financial data and wants to develop deeper expertise within R&D Tax Relief.

You'll play a key role in preparing the financial elements of RDEC, ERIS and NI-ERIS R&D Tax Relief claims, working across a diverse portfolio of innovative businesses.

Your focus will be on turning complex financial information into accurate, well‑supported claim calculations — from analysing payroll and ledger data through to preparing cost schedules, reconciliations and supporting evidence.

Working closely with experienced R&D Managers, you'll develop specialist knowledge in a niche area of tax while helping clients access incentives that support continued innovation and growth.

This is a specialist financial analysis and tax support role rather than a study‑related or academic R&D position.

• What You'll Be Doing
• Collate and analyse client financial information, including payroll reports, general ledger data, purchase ledgers, invoices, contractor schedules and project costs.
• Prepare detailed R&D claim schedules covering qualifying expenditure such as staff costs, externally provided workers, subcontractors, consumables, software, cloud computing and data costs.
• Reconcile claim calculations against accounting records, including management accounts, payroll, nominal ledgers and Corporation Tax schedules.
• Support apportionment calculations where expenditure relates to both qualifying R&D and non‑qualifying activities.
• Document financial assumptions, methodologies and supporting evidence to create clear, robust audit trails.
• Identify anomalies, inconsistencies and unsupported expenditure, raising appropriate queries with R&D Managers and client finance teams.
• Prepare financial inputs for R&D additional information forms and claim reports.
• Manage multiple client files and maintain accurate working papers and evidence packs to support internal review and potential HMRC enquiries.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience within finance, accounting, audit, tax, R&D tax support or financial analysis.
• Strong Excel capability, including reconciliations, pivot tables, data analysis and structured working papers.
• Confidence interpreting payroll, ledger, invoice and project cost information.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to identify anomalies and challenge financial information.
• Knowledge of R&D Tax Relief qualifying cost categories, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple files and competing deadlines.
• A clear understanding of the importance of supporting evidence, audit trails and HMRC compliance within R&D claims.
• Strong problem‑solving and communication skills, including the ability to explain financial concepts clearly to non‑specialist stakeholders.
• What's In It For You

You will join a collaborative and experienced Innovation Tax team, gaining exposure to a broad portfolio of clients across different industries.

The role offers the opportunity to build specialist expertise in R&D Tax Relief, working closely with experienced R&D Managers and developing your knowledge of the financial and compliance requirements behind R&D claims.

You will receive ongoing support and have clear opportunities for career progression within the Innovation Tax team, while contributing to work that helps innovative businesses access valuable R&D tax incentives.

You will also join an inclusive working environment that values collaboration, fairness and different perspectives.

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