General Accounting Assistant (Maternity Cover) in Glasgow

We are seeking a proactive and self-motivated Assistant Accountant to join our growing Finance Team on a temporary 15-month contract to cover a period of maternity leave. In this busy and varied role, you will bring a meticulous, organised approach while developing your skills and contributing effectively within a small, collaborative team. Strong prioritisation and workload management will be essential to delivering high-quality support in a fast-paced environment.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Execute weekly domestic and foreign payment runs.
• Execute monthly intercompany netting/settlements.
• Completing month end financial accounting routines and Journal entries.
• Complete Quarterly Interco recharges for Royalty and R&D services.
• Manage and oversee shared service recharges and financial management of shared service accounts.
• Complete month end Submission & Corporate reporting schedules.
• Complete monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Complete and file monthly VAT returns.
• Weekly maintenance of TB trial balance.
• Provide ad-hoc support as necessary and provide cover for other team members as required.

Cover Responsibilities

• Complete weekly cashflow forecasting to the central Treasury team.
• Complete Intercompany & Bank reconciliations (multi-currency).
• Fixed Asset management, tagging and reconciliation.

Education & Experience

• Demonstrative experience in a similar role.
• Experience of using large business software, preferably Oracle.
• Advanced user of MS Office packages and especially Excel.
• Building proactive relationships with colleagues at all levels of the business.
• Solid administrative skills with the ability to deliver against tight deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize and manage workload and multiple tasks effectively at pace.
• Experience utilizing Process Improvement methodologies and tools (i.e. Lean Manufacturing) would be advantageous.
• Recognised Accounting Qualification having undertaken some formal accounting training.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Attention to detail & transactional accuracy.
• Accountable & ownership of assigned duties & activities.
• Team Player - work as part of a team in a collaborative manner.
• Process Improvement - maximise efficiency and ability to improve end to end processes.
• Resilience - absorb change & new work practices in line with business requirements.
• Communication - be able to work cross functionally and to articulate ideas and suggestions.

Skills & Other Requirements

• Demonstrated problem solving and work prioritisation skills.
• Ability to keep up to date with technology and apply to business strategic plan.
• Ability to achieve results independently or working with others.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to communicate effectively with end-users, management, and staff.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities involving internal customer requests and demands.
• Ability to excel in a cross-organisational, cross cultural, global team environment.
• Knowledge of payroll would be useful.
• Handle special assignments promptly and professionally.
• Set a high standard of ethics, professionalism, and competency.

About Us

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!