At a Glance
- Tasks: Take ownership of financial processes and deliver accurate reporting in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Join a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer with a strong finance team near Livingston.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to influence key financial processes.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and diverse workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial operations and drive improvements in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Qualified or part-qualified accountant with management accounting experience, ideally in pharma or manufacturing.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Planet Pharma are working with a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing organisation who are seeking a Senior Accountant to join its established finance team near Livingston. This is a key hire within a small, high‑performing team, created to support continued growth and increasing corporate reporting demands. The role offers broad exposure across site operations, manufacturing finance, and global reporting, with the opportunity to influence processes and drive improvements. The successful candidate will play a central role in ensuring the site maintains a strong financial control environment, delivering accurate and timely reporting, and supporting operational teams with high‑quality financial insight. This position suits someone who thrives in a fast‑paced, multinational environment and enjoys taking ownership of end‑to‑end finance processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Ownership of site P&L, including accruals, prepayments, and month‑end close
- Preparation of balance sheet reconciliations and maintenance of financial controls
- Management of manufacturing accounting, including WIP, costing, and cost rolls
- Delivery of management reporting, budget comparisons, sales analysis, and departmental cost reporting
- Preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual corporate reporting packs for global headquarters
- Oversight of Accounts Payable, including coordination with shared service teams
- Completion of bank reconciliations and support for internal and external audits
- Reporting on departmental spend and supporting operational stakeholders
- Contribution to ad hoc finance projects and continuous improvement initiatives
About You
You will be a qualified or part‑qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong experience in management accounting and costing, ideally gained within pharmaceutical, manufacturing, or FMCG environments. You bring a solid understanding of financial controls, WIP and costing processes, and have experience working within a fast‑paced month‑end cycle. You will be confident preparing corporate reporting packs, comfortable working cross‑functionally, and able to manage competing deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail. Advanced Excel skills are essential, and experience with ERP systems or data visualisation tools is advantageous.
We are an equal opportunities Recruitment Business and Agency. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
Accounts Senior / Financial Reporting Accountant in Livingston employer: Planet Pharma
Join a leading pharmaceutical manufacturing organisation near Livingston, where you will be part of a dynamic finance team dedicated to excellence and innovation. The company fosters a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth, offering opportunities for professional development and the chance to influence key financial processes. With a commitment to maintaining a strong financial control environment, this role not only provides meaningful work but also the unique advantage of being at the forefront of corporate reporting in a fast-paced, multinational setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Accounts Senior / Financial Reporting Accountant in Livingston
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and pharmaceutical sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its financial practices. Familiarise yourself with their recent reports and any news related to their growth. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the Senior Accountant role. Highlight your management accounting skills and any relevant projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to drive improvements.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Accounts Senior / Financial Reporting Accountant in Livingston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience in management accounting and costing, especially if you've worked in pharmaceutical or manufacturing environments. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; show us what you’ve achieved! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you’ve improved processes or delivered accurate reporting in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you can bring to our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. We love seeing enthusiasm and a personal touch, so let your personality come through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Planet Pharma
✨Know Your Numbers
As an Accounts Senior, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed P&L, balance sheets, and reconciliations in your previous roles. This shows you’re not just familiar with the numbers but can also drive improvements.
✨Showcase Your Process Ownership
This role requires someone who takes ownership of finance processes. Prepare examples of how you've influenced financial controls or improved reporting processes in past positions. Highlighting your proactive approach will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Think of scenarios where you had to manage competing deadlines or resolve discrepancies in financial reporting. Practising these responses will help you articulate your experience clearly.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Their Systems
If you know what ERP systems or data visualisation tools the company uses, do some research beforehand. Being able to discuss how your advanced Excel skills can integrate with their systems will show that you're prepared and eager to hit the ground running.
