Financial Accountant in Cambridge

Based in Melbourn, near Cambridge, UK, SPT Labtech makes products that transform the way scientists work. For nearly two decades, our expert scientists, engineers and business innovators have provided scientists with world‑leading, innovative solutions for liquid handling, sample preparation, and sample management that help accelerate research and make a real difference to human health. We work collaboratively with our customers, building trusted relationships that enable us to deliver exceptional, personalised experiences designed for real‑world challenges in the lab.

This Financial Accountant role is a key part of SPT Labtech’s UK head office finance function and is far more than a box‑ticking exercise in debits and credits. Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will play a key role in maintaining the financial integrity of a £90m, EQT‑backed international life sciences group, with exposure across tax, balance sheet control, intercompany accounting and month‑end delivery. It’s a broad, hands‑on position suited to a technically strong accountant who enjoys improving processes, supporting the wider business and quietly keeping everything on the right side of accurate, compliant and on time.

The successful candidate will report directly to the Finance Manager and work closely with our finance team, as well as supporting across the wider business to deliver high‑quality reconciliations, data analysis, and support to the business.

Key responsibilities:

• Tax support
• VAT returns across multiple EU countries
• GST, HST and PST returns in Canada
• Sales Tax submissions in relevant US states
• R&D tax credit calculations
• PSA Submissions
• Prepayments
• Fixed asset management
• Intercompany accounting and reconciliations
• Payroll
• Input monthly journals
• Quarterly sales commission calculations
• Support the month end and balance sheet process for the above accounts
• Ensure the process is robust, efficient and that the balance sheet accounts are reconciled
• All reports are to be submitted in line with reporting deadlines
• Drive for efficiency and process improvements throughout Finance and the business
• Support the annual external statutory audit
• Provide cover for the Management Accountant

About you, your knowledge and technical skills:

• ACCA, CIMA, ACA Qualified / Finalist
• Technically strong with a good understanding of financial reporting in a manufacturing environment
• Experience of working in a similar role with significant exposure to taxation
• A clear and credible communicator
• Naturally proactive and quietly tenacious, spotting issues early and seeing them through
• Comfortable working independently, with the good sense to ask the right questions at the right time
• Highly organised and deadline‑driven, able to juggle competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and control
• Process‑minded and improvement‑focused, with the curiosity to challenge how things are done and the pragmatism to make them better
• Quick to get up to speed, able to absorb new information, systems and regulations
• Methodical with a sharp eye for detail
• Strong systems and IT capability, including advanced Excel skills and the confidence to work with ERP systems
• Resilient under pressure, consistently delivering high‑quality work to tight reporting deadlines

Desirable knowledge, experience, and technical skills:

• Relevant industry background, ideally within life sciences, biotechnology, medical devices, advanced manufacturing, or other regulated, technically complex environments
• Experience in PE‑backed or international groups would be particularly welcome
• Multi‑currency exposure
• ERP system experience, ideally Infor Syteline, though exposure to other mid‑to‑large ERP platforms (such as SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics or similar) will be equally valuable

We offer a competitive salary package and comprehensive, valued benefits, including private medical insurance, a generous pension plan, and an annual discretionary bonus. We embrace diversity and inclusivity, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, or family status. We prioritise supporting our employees' diverse needs as we strive for excellence together. If the above resonates with you, apply with an up‑to‑date CV and be a part of our journey to reshape the future of science.