At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide financial insight, manage reporting, and support planning cycles for National Laboratories.
- Company: LGC Assure & NLS is part of the LGC Group, focused on science for global safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: This is a 9-month fixed-term contract based in Guildford or Twickenham.
- Why this job: Join a mission-led organisation making a tangible impact on global food safety.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in financial reporting and business partnering.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
LGC Assure & NLS is part of the LGC Group, united by our purpose: Science for a Safer World. We provide assurance and scientific expertise across global food, healthcare, and regulated markets through:
- BRCGS – supply chain assurance solutions (London)
- INFORMED – testing and certification programmes (Cambridge)
- National Laboratories & Science (NLS) – scientific services supporting UK Government, industry, and academia (Guildford & Twickenham)
The NLS Finance Manager will report to the Finance Director (Assure & NLS) and act as a key finance business partner to National Laboratories for the duration of the fixed term contract. This is a hands‑on role in a fast‑paced environment, ideal for someone who enjoys taking ownership, improving processes, and delivering meaningful insight to support better decision‑making. You’ll work closely with business and Group Finance teams to strengthen reporting, drive performance visibility, and support key planning cycles.
What the role involves:
- Business partnering & insight – working closely with stakeholders to provide clear, actionable financial insight and support decision‑making
- Performance reporting – owning weekly and monthly reporting, improving accuracy, quality and depth of analysis
- Planning cycles – supporting the strategic plan, annual budget, and quarterly forecasts end‑to‑end
- Project & resource tracking – overseeing project accounting, utilisation metrics, and cost performance
- Financial control – managing overhead cost centres, P&L reviews, and balance sheet processes
- Commercial & funding support – contributing to pricing, tenders, and R&D claims
- Driving improvement – enhancing reporting tools and dashboards (e.g. Tableau) to deliver better business insight
You’ll also support wider NLS and Group Finance initiatives where needed.
Qualifications - What you’ll bring:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) - Essential.
- Proven experience in financial reporting, FP&A or business partnering roles
- Strong commercial awareness; able to translate financial data into clear business insight
- Confident stakeholder management, able to work effectively across finance and operational teams
- Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and capable of managing multiple priorities
- Advanced Excel skills (e.g. modelling, reporting, data analysis)
- A proactive, self‑starting approach with the ability to quickly get up to speed and deliver in a fast‑paced environment
Nice to have:
- Experience in project or cost accounting environments
- Exposure to systems such as IFS, SAP Business Objects or Tableau
Additional Information - Why Join Us?
Work in a mission‑led organisation making a tangible impact on global food and consumer safety. Be part of a collaborative, purposeful team that recognises and celebrates contribution. Enjoy varied, high-visibility work with room to develop your skills and progress your career. Hybrid working, competitive salary and benefits, and opportunities for professional development across the wider LGC Group.
Equal opportunities:
At LGC, we foster a culture of inclusion and collaboration. We believe that diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We are an equal opportunity employer and offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know.
For more information about us, please visit www.lgcassure.com.
NLS Finance Manager – 9 month FTC in Twickenham employer: LGC
LGC Assure & NLS operates within a mission-driven environment, focusing on global food and consumer safety. Employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements and a collaborative team culture. The company values diverse perspectives and offers professional development opportunities across the LGC Group.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land NLS Finance Manager – 9 month FTC in Twickenham
✨Get Involved in Financial Networks
Join local financial associations or forums where you can connect with professionals in financial-controlling. Networking events often lead to temporary positions, as companies look for quick hires when they need extra hands.
✨Showcase Your Skills on Temporary Job Boards
Focus on platforms that specifically cater to temporary roles in finance. Sites like Reed or Totaljobs often list short-term gigs that are perfect for getting your foot in the door, and you can apply directly through our website for roles at LGC.
✨Leverage Your Uni's Career Services
If you're still in university, tap into your career services for internship or temporary job placements. They often have insider info on companies like LGC looking for temporary financial support, and they might help you polish your pitch.
✨Flexible Availability is Key
For temporary positions in financial-controlling, your availability can make a huge difference. Highlight your willingness to start immediately or work irregular hours when speaking to employers. This flexibility can land you that sought-after role!
We think you need these skills to ace NLS Finance Manager – 9 month FTC in Twickenham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Aces:In the financial controlling game, grades and relevant certifications can make a significant difference. Be sure to highlight your academic achievements, like finance-related coursework and any professional certifications you’ve got on your CV that show you’re clued up in this area. It’s all about demonstrating that you’re not just good at numbers but also know your stuff!
Quantify Your Achievements:When applying for a temporary role in financial controlling, make sure your CV reflects any previous experience with real, measurable outcomes. Use numbers to showcase your past successes, like percentage improvements in budgeting or cost savings you’ve achieved in previous roles. This not only gives us insights into your capabilities but also tells us you're results-driven.
Personalise Your Application:We love seeing applicants who take the time to tailor their applications! In your cover letter, mention why you’re particularly interested in the temporary role with LGC and how your specific skills and experiences align with the job. Show us that you see this role as an opportunity to contribute, even if it's for a short stint!
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to highlight your availability in your application. We’re interested in knowing how soon you can start and if you’re open to working flexible hours. This shows us your eagerness to jump right in and adapt to the dynamic needs of our team at LGC.
How to prepare for a job interview at LGC
✨Get Hands-On with Financial Tools
Being in financial controlling means you’ll likely be working with various software like Excel, Power BI, or even SAP. Make sure you brush up on these tools and prepare to discuss your experience using them. Being able to reference specific projects or analyses where you employed these programs will definitely give you an edge.
✨Prepare for Technical Financial Questions
Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to analyse financial statements or suggest budgetary strategies during the interview. Practising common financial concepts like variance analysis or cost control measures will not only boost your confidence but also prove your suitability for the role.
✨Show Your Flexibility and Adaptability
As this is a temporary position, the interviewers will want to see that you can hit the ground running. Be sure to highlight any previous short-term roles or projects where you successfully adapted to new environments quickly – this will showcase your readiness to tackle challenges head-on.
✨Highlight Your Commitment to Precision
In financial controlling, attention to detail is absolutely crucial. Be ready to provide examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to spot discrepancies and ensure accuracy in financial reporting. Your precision could be the factor that sets you apart in a temporary role like this one!