Data Accountant (12month FTC) in Salford

Data Accountant

The Data Accountant is a 12 month fixed term contract role within the Record-to-Report (RTR) function of Global Finance Services (GFS). The role is based in Manchester.

The role sits within the RTR function of GFS and is responsible for the integrity, quality and continuous improvement of financial data and controls across the GFS operating model. It is analytical and controls‑focused, combining hands‑on finance operations knowledge with ownership of the GFS actuals reporting infrastructure and a forward‑looking responsibility to embed AI tools and data‑driven working practices into GFS processes.

The Role

This role requires a finance professional with strong RTR knowledge, a practical understanding of financial controls, and the technical capability to design and own a self‑service reporting suite. The successful candidate will bring hands‑on experience of period‑end close, SOX compliance and data analysis, combined with demonstrable fluency in Power BI and AI tools. They will be comfortable operating across multiple entities and communicating findings to a CFO‑facing audience.

Role Responsibilities

Controls and RTR

• Execute and report on SOX journal testing (RTR-2.6.1), document results and drive remediation of issues identified.
• Support the maintenance of the GFS controls framework, including the CSA programme and control self‑assessments.
• Monitor reconciliation completion and quality during month‑end and report final status to GFS leadership; work in collaboration with Intelligent Enterprises to ensure ARCS master data is accurate and reconciliation automation is optimised.
• Identify and escale data integrity issues, including those originating in supplier or customer master data, that affect financial reporting accuracy.
• Support internal and external audit with clean, well‑documented data extracts and process evidence.

Variance Reporting and Analytics

• Design and build monthly P&L reporting packs covering month‑on‑month actuals movements by cost centre and GFS process tower (RTR, PTP, OTC), with exception commentary frameworks to support accountant review.
• Design and build monthly Balance Sheet packs covering month‑on‑month movements by entity, with ageing analysis and reconciliation status where relevant.
• Design and build quarterly packs covering quarter‑on‑quarter and year‑on‑year P&L and Balance Sheet movements, with trend analysis and narrative support for GFS leadership reporting.
• Build all reports to be self‑refreshing or one‑click refreshable by GFS accountants using Power BI, Power Query or equivalent, with no dependency on manual data manipulation by the Data Accountant.
• Produce clear data dictionaries and refresh guides so accountants can operate, interpret and present packs without technical support.
• Own the underlying data model: ensure source data connections from Oracle Fusion and Maconomy are stable, documented and version‑controlled.
• Set and enforce data standards for the reporting suite: naming conventions, hierarchy alignment, currency treatment and intercompany eliminations.
• Iterate packs in response to business change: new entities, restructuring, changes to the GFS operating model or chart of accounts.
• Develop exception and threshold alerting within the reporting suite to flag material movements automatically, reducing manual review time for accountants.

GFS Performance Reporting

• Develop and maintain GFS operational KPI dashboards covering reconciliation completion rates, SLA performance, open items ageing and process tower throughput.
• Track and report on GFS optimisation and improvement initiatives.
• Use SQL and AI‑assisted tools to interrogate financial data sets, surface anomalies and support ad hoc analysis requests from GFS leadership.
• Maintain SOPs and process maps for all reporting outputs owned by this role.

Continuous Improvement

• Support the design and implementation of automation and process improvement initiatives across GFS.
• Contribute to the adoption of AI tools in day‑to‑day finance operations, identifying use cases and supporting change.
• Manage ServiceNow task queues during month‑end to drive efficient execution across the team.
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within GFS.

Cross‑functional Working

• Work closely with the Master Data Lead on data quality issues at the intersection of financial controls and master data, including supplier and customer records that affect reconciliations, payment runs or revenue reporting.
• Liaise with divisional finance teams to resolve data queries and communicate process changes.

What Do You Bring to the Role

• Part qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or a finance degree with strong practical experience.
• Strong understanding of Record‑to‑Report processes and financial controls in a shared services environment.
• Hands‑on experience with P&L and Balance Sheet variance analysis and period‑end close processes.
• Familiarity with SOX requirements and reconciliation governance.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion and/or Maconomy; broader ERP experience (SAP, Workday, Dynamics 365) also relevant.
• Proficiency in Power BI, Tableau, Qlik or equivalent, including data model design and building self‑service reports for non‑technical users.
• Advanced Excel: Power Query, Pivot Tables and complex formulas.
• SQL skills sufficient to query and interrogate financial data sets independently.
• Demonstrable AI data fluency: practical use of AI tools to accelerate analysis, automate routine tasks and improve data quality.

Technical / Functional / Behavioural

• Deep understanding of RTR close processes, control frameworks and audit requirements.
• Ability to design and build self‑service reporting infrastructure that non‑technical finance users can operate independently.
• Practical, working fluency with AI tools (e.g. Copilot, ChatGPT, Gemini) applied to finance tasks: reconciliations, variance commentary, exception identification and report drafting.
• Sound judgement about when AI output requires human review, particularly in a controls environment where accuracy is non‑negotiable.
• Experience with automation tooling (Power Automate, Alteryx, UiPath, Python or similar) is advantageous.
• Familiarity with master data structures, including supplier and customer records, and their impact on financial integrity.
• Clear, confident communication at Finance leadership level.
• High attention to detail and self‑directed approach to managing competing priorities across month‑end and quarter‑end cycles.

AboutiNIZIO

AtInizio, we're a global team driven by a shared purpose: to reimagine health. Formed in 2022 through the coming together of Ashfield and Huntsworth , we unite decades of experience with cutting‑edge capabilities to deliver impactful solutions across the commercialization journey – from discovery to post‑launch. Our global network of over 10,000 experts operates across 50 countries, supporting clients with strategic insight, medical excellence, creative engagement, and real‑world delivery. We work with the world's leading health and life sciences businesses to solve complex challenges and drive meaningful outcomes for our clients and patients.

Our Pledge

AtInizio, we value inclusivity, recognize the power ofdiversityand inspire the next generation of change‑makers. We are an equal opportunities employer. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity,equityand inclusion. We aim to recruit from a diverse slate of candidates and foster an environment that provides the right conditions for long‑term success. We welcome all applications regardless of race,color, religion or belief, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, military veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation and physical or mental disability.

Hybrid

HYBRID