At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial accounting and ensure compliance across the Institute.
- Company: Join a pioneering organisation dedicated to improving human health.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional growth and a diverse, inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in life-changing science while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial accounting experience.
The predicted salary is between 65265 - 88000 £ per year.
Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life‑changing science to solve some of humanity's greatest challenges.
About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Senior Financial Accountant to lead the Institute's Financial Accounting and Transactional Finance Control Service. This key leadership role is responsible for delivering accurate, timely and compliant financial accounting across the Institute and its group entities, including statutory reporting, month‑and‑year‑end close, balance sheet assurance, VAT compliance, audit readiness and transactional finance controls. You will work closely with Finance leadership and stakeholders across the organisation to provide technical expertise, strengthen financial governance and shape the future direction of the Institute's financial accounting service.
About You
You are a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with significant experience in financial accounting within a complex organisation. You have strong technical knowledge of statutory reporting, financial controls, FRS 102 and IFRS; experience managing month‑and‑year‑end close, supporting audits and leading financial compliance activities; and you are an effective people leader with excellent stakeholder management skills and a passion for improving processes and developing teams. Experience within the charity, research or higher education sectors, together with knowledge of Unit4 Business World (Agresso) or similar finance systems, would be advantageous.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Institute's Financial Accounting and Transactional Finance Control Service.
- Deliver statutory accounts, financial reporting, month‑ and year‑end close activities.
- Oversee balance sheet control, reconciliations, VAT compliance and audit readiness.
- Provide technical accounting leadership and maintain robust financial controls.
- Lead the transactional finance function, including accounts payable, payments and banking.
- Drive continuous improvement across financial processes, systems and controls.
- Lead, coach and develop members of the Financial Accounting team.
- Build strong relationships across the Institute, providing expert financial advice and support to senior stakeholders.
Essential Knowledge, Experience and Skills
- Strong technical knowledge of financial accounting, statutory accounts preparation, month‑ and year‑end close, balance sheet control and financial reporting.
- Extensive experience independently preparing statutory accounts and owning the process of coordinating with internal stakeholders and external auditors from planning to signing.
- People leadership and team development – able to support, coordinate and develop operational finance staff while maintaining strong financial controls, service quality and collaborative team working.
- Experience identifying control weaknesses and process inefficiencies and leading process improvements or contributing to finance systems, procurement, HR or operational change projects.
- Advanced Excel skills and confidence extracting, manipulating and analysing data from finance systems, combined with an understanding of how to maximise automation capabilities of a modern finance system.
Application Process
Please submit a CV and Suitability Statement. Before submitting your application, please refer to the suitability statement guidance for details on what to include.
Other Information
Salary: In the region of £65,265 to £88,000.
Close Date: 31st July 2026.
Contract Type: Permanent.
Note: The Senior Financial Accountant role is currently proposed as part of organisational changes within Operations and is subject to consultation. Any appointment will be subject to the completion of the consultation process.
Hybrid Working at Wellcome Sanger
We recognise that there are many benefits to Hybrid Working – improved work‑life balance, focused time and the ability to organise working time for collaborative opportunities and team discussions on campus. The hybrid working arrangement will vary for different roles and teams. The nature of your role and the type of work you do will determine if a hybrid working arrangement is possible.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We aim to attract, recruit, retain and develop talent from the widest possible talent pool, thereby gaining insight and access to different markets and generating greater impact on the world. We have a supportive culture with staff networks for LGBTQ+, Parents and Carers, Disability, Gender Equity and Race Equity. These networks bring people together to share experiences, offer specific support and development opportunities, and raise awareness. Allies may provide support to others.
Senior Financial Accountant employer: PVH (Tommy Hilfiger/Calvin Klein)
Intapp is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration within the accounting and consulting sectors across EMEA. With a strong commitment to employee growth, Intapp provides ample opportunities for professional development and leadership coaching, ensuring that team members thrive in their careers while contributing to the company's strategic vision. The culture is built on accountability and high performance, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a significant impact in a rapidly evolving industry.
Contact Details:
PVH (Tommy Hilfiger/Calvin Klein) Recruitment Team
