At a Glance
- Tasks: Support innovative businesses by preparing financial aspects of R&D tax relief claims.
- Company: Join Sumer Ni's dynamic Innovation Tax team with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Gain specialist expertise, career progression, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diversity and supports your unique journey.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping businesses access valuable R&D tax incentives.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, strong Excel skills, and attention to detail required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Join Sumer Ni’s growing Innovation Tax team and play a key role in helping innovative businesses access valuable R&D Tax incentives. As part of a collaborative and highly experienced team, you will support clients across a diverse range of industries by preparing the financial aspects of R&D tax relief claims, contributing to work that helps businesses invest in innovation and growth.
Working closely with our R&D Managers, you will be responsible for the financial preparation of RDEC, ERIS and NI-ERIS R&D Tax Relief claims, focusing on the collation, analysis, reconciliation and presentation of qualifying expenditure. This is an excellent opportunity to develop specialist expertise in a niche and growing area of tax, with ongoing support, exposure to a broad client portfolio, and clear opportunities for career progression within the Innovation Tax team. This is a specialist finance support role and is not study-related or academic in nature. It is ideally suited to someone with experience managing financial data, preparing claim schedules and supporting evidence for R&D tax claims.
Key Responsibilities
- Collating financial information from client companies, including payroll reports, general ledger data, purchase ledger reports, invoices, contractor schedules and project cost records.
- Preparing R&D claim cost schedules across relevant expenditure categories, including staff costs, externally provided workers, subcontractors where applicable, consumables, software, cloud computing and data costs.
- Reconciling claim figures to the client company’s accounting records, including management accounts, payroll records, nominal ledger and Corporation Tax schedules.
- Supporting apportionment calculations where costs relate partly to qualifying R&D activities and partly to non-qualifying activities.
- Documenting assumptions, methodologies and evidence used to support the financial values included in each claim.
- Identifying gaps, inconsistencies or unsupported costs in client data and raising queries with R&D Managers or client finance teams.
- Supporting the preparation of financial inputs for the R&D additional information form and claim reports.
- Maintaining clear working papers and evidence packs to support internal review and potential HMRC enquiry responses.
- Working across multiple client files, ensuring claim costings are accurate, consistent and completed within agreed deadlines.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
- Proven experience in finance, accounting, audit, tax, R&D tax support or financial analysis.
- Strong Excel skills, including reconciliations, pivot tables, data analysis and structured working papers.
- Ability to interpret payroll, ledger, invoice and project cost data.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify anomalies in financial information.
- Understanding of R&D Tax Relief qualifying cost categories, or the ability to develop this knowledge quickly.
- Ability to work with internal R&D Managers and client finance teams.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
- Clear written communication for documenting assumptions, queries and claim methodologies.
- Awareness of the importance of evidence, audit trails and HMRC compliance in R&D claims.
- Proactive and inquisitive approach, with the confidence to question and challenge financial data.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work with incomplete or ambiguous information.
- Ability to communicate financial concepts clearly to non-specialist stakeholders.
Belong @ Sumer
At Sumer, we know everyone’s journey is different. That’s why we’re committed to fairness, removing barriers, and giving people the support they need to do their best work. If you need any support during the hiring process, just let us know. Our values represent what matters most to us and guide how we work every day:
- We Shine Together
- We Do the Right Thing
- We Make It Count
We know diverse teams make us stronger. That’s why we’re creating an inclusive workplace where everyone belongs and differences are valued and celebrated.
R&D Financial Analyst in Belfast employer: Pinpoint
Pinpoint is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, empowering employees to thrive in a fast-paced environment. With a strong focus on professional development and growth opportunities, team members are encouraged to innovate and lead within their roles. Working remotely from the UK or US, employees enjoy the flexibility of a modern workplace while contributing to a cutting-edge HR tech solution that is transforming recruitment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Financial Analyst in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Pinpoint. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Pinpoint.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Pinpoint. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace R&D Financial Analyst in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Pinpoint and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Pinpoint how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pinpoint
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Pinpoint.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Pinpoint's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
