Group Accountant

This role is based at the SKAO Headquarters at Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, UK.

At the SKAO we are coordinating a global effort to deliver one of the largest science facilities on the planet. The SKAO telescopes will be next-generation instruments that will help to answer key questions in astrophysics, drive technological innovation and support human capital development.

More than a dozen partner countries and over a thousand scientists and engineers around the world are already on board, making the SKA project an international collaboration like no other, and one of the most ambitious science and engineering endeavours of the 21st century.

Headquartered in the UK, with telescope sites in Australia and South Africa, the SKAO will be one observatory operating two telescopes, an endeavour spanning three continents. Multinational by design, in early 2021 the SKAO became an intergovernmental organisation, one of only a select handful of science infrastructures to do so worldwide.

Our Global HQ is located near the buzzing city of Manchester at the historic Jodrell Bank Observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Cheshire countryside. It is home to a rapidly expanding international team of more than a hundred, working in a highly collaborative and inclusive way, in coordination with SKAO teams in Australia and South Africa as part of a global astronomy and engineering community.

Being part of Team SKA means contributing to something extraordinary: a uniquely exciting project to advance human knowledge that will last for decades. In return, we offer a diverse multicultural working environment, 30 days annual leave plus public holidays, a generous pension scheme, visa and support with relocation (if applicable), regular social events, a family-friendly environment and much more. Come and join us!

Reporting directly to the Finance Manager, the key responsibilities of the Group Accountant will be the consolidation of key financial reports, including management accounts, budgets and forecasts. The successful candidate will co-ordinate the year end process including our annual external audit as well as managing the business enabling fixed assets and Member Contribution revenue.

The Role

Reporting to the Financial Controller for Construction and Group, the Group Accountant will be responsible for the consolidation of all key financial reports, such as the monthly management accounts and budgets and forecasts. They will be responsible for ensuring that the consolidated monthly management pack has appropriate and sufficient analytical commentary on variances to budget and that accounting treatment is in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and internal accounting policies. The Group Accountant will also be responsible for the financial management of the Observatory (OBS) ledger which contains the business enabling fixed assets, all Member Contribution revenue and accounts receivable as well as our investment accounts.

The post-holder will be the main co-ordinator of the year end process, ensuring that accurate consolidated financial information and reconciliations are prepared and they will co-ordinate external audit requests for information.

The Group Accountant will be responsible for the documentation of accounting processes and provide input to accounting and finance policies for the SKAO. They will also help to re-design any weak processes to ensure that the IGO operates in line with best practice and/or regulatory or legal frameworks, and that processes are followed consistently across the global finance teams. The Group Accountant will create and improve training and guidance on finance processes to the wider business.

The role would suit a candidate with experience of working in a small-medium group finance function, who has a willingness and enthusiasm to continuously improve finance processes, is keen to understand and tackle technical accounting questions, and is able to organise decentralised finance teams to report consistently and on time.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Duties

The post holder will:

• Be responsible for the preparation and reporting of monthly group management accounts, enhance the monthly reporting to SKAO senior management and prepare related governance papers with supporting commentary for SKAO’s governance bodies
• Manage the non-telescope fixed asset register and perform all related month end routines (capitalisation, depreciation, disposal)
• Responsible for the end-to-end process of revenue recognition of SKAO Member contributions, including maintaining the schedules of indexation of Member contributions, updating and distributing Member Contribution Statements, managing the accounts’ receivable function and performing all related month end postings
• Prepare the group consolidated financial statements, and assist the Financial Controller to ensure that presentation and disclosure is in line with IFRS and SKAO accounting policies
• Co-ordinate and be the main point of contact for the annual external audit and any internal audits of the finance processes in the UK, Australia or South Africa, including scheduling the audit and directing requests for information to the relevant team members, and assist the Financial Controller with preparing audit file notes
• Consolidate the group budgets and forecasts and prepare variance analysis of budget submissions compared to budget baseline figures
• Document finance processes, along with key risks and controls, creating Internal Control Statements (ICS); Perform annual walkthrough tests of finance processes and update ICS as required
• Work alongside the ERP System Manager and Finance Manager to continuously improve the ERP system finance processes and controls
• Support the Financial Controller and Head of Finance by monitoring changes in IFRS accounting standards and planning for any necessary accounting changes
• Prepare the tax and customs claims for non-host Member countries and manage these claims through to conclusion;
• Train finance and non-finance staff as required
• Travel as required, noting that travel is expected to be infrequent (1-2 times per year); and
• Undertake any other reasonable duties, such as assisting with other business systems, as directed by the post holder’s line manager

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills and Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:

• CCAB accounting qualified or near-qualified (ACCA / ACA / CIPFA preferred) with at least 1 years’ experience in a similar group finance or management accounting role
• Experience of group consolidation of multi-currency core financial reports, such as, monthly management accounts, financial statements and budgets and forecasts
• Experience of participation in external audits and preparation/review of financial statements reported under IFRS;
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word and Powerpoint
• Excellent written English
• Ability to self-manage projects through to completion;
• Problem solver with ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to deadlines
• A self-motivated team player who is flexible and adaptable to change
• Strong attention to detail, both in preparing own work and reviewing work of others to ensure a high standard of accuracy

Desirable Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge:

• Experience of working in a small-medium international group finance function
• Proficient in Unit4 ERP / Unit 4 Business World / Agresso
• Experience within a multi-currency ERP system environment
• Creation or development of finance reports within an ERP system
• Experience of accounting for an IGO
• Experience of working within a large-scale infrastructure project
• Experience co-ordinating remote steams

Equality Diversity and Inclusion Statement

SKA Observatory recognises that our diversity is a strength. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and diverse perspectives and ideas thrive. As such, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the core of SKA Observatory’s agenda.

Our aim is to recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, nationality or background.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Observatory welcomes and encourages female applicants.

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided.

SKA Observatory welcome all candidates, especially those from member countries.

The “How to Apply” information contained within the SKA Observatory recruitment portal provides more detail regarding our application and selection approach.