Main Purpose of the Job

The financial accountant is responsible for the control of the general ledger. The role looks after the financial control team activity and ensures that month-end process are completed and, in particular, closing the books within 5 working days. The role will ensure the accuracy of the teams journals (accruals, prepayments and fixed assets), and have some involvement in ensuring balance sheet reconciliations are completed.

Key Relationships

This role will interact primarily within the financial function, but will be key in providing a timely, accurate month end.

Main Activities & Responsibilities

Percentage

Other responsibilities
• Prepare recharges of utility costs to NBI and NRP entities  – maintain detailed spreadsheet, reconcile costs to ledgers and coordinate invoicing .
• Co-ordinate with 3rd party advisors, calculate and pay CCL/CPS payments.
• Analysis of Horticulture recharges.
• Update NBI Partnership cost share apportionments.
• Provide support for related companies including QI Partners, including charity commission returns, and KPI reporting.

40

Month-end
• Manage the month end close down routines and ensure timely and complete process maintained
• Close general ledger and prepare trial balance within 5 working days of book month end for all legal entities.

20

Maintaining the Ledgers
• Responsible for the integrity of the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers for all legal entities
• Involvement in the monthly balance sheet reconciliation process
• Review work of team, including but not limited to, prepayments and accruals, fixed assets and sales ledger.

20

Supervision of Financial Control team
• Provide day to day supervision of the FC team.
• Review of current processes

20

As agreed with line manager, any other duties commensurate with the nature of the role.

Education & Qualifications

Requirement

Importance

Part qualification either completing stage 1 or stage 2 in a recognised professional accounting qualification or who is qualified by relevant experience

Essential

Qualified accountant with a recognised professional accounting qualification or equivalent

Desirable

Specialist Knowledge & Skills

Requirement

Importance

Experience of maintaining the integrity of the ledgers, credit control, providing assistance in preparation of statutory accounts / audit as well as statistical reporting for statutory bodies and other stakeholders

Essential

Excellent computer skills, including e-mail, internet, word-processing and spreadsheet knowledge

Essential

Strong numeric analytical skills, with the ability to interrogate and interpret complex financial data

Essential

The ability to work with precision and accuracy within deadlines

Essential

Relevant Experience

Requirement

Importance

Significant experience in working in a financial control team

Essential

Prior experience of financial accounting in a research organisation or University

Desirable

Interpersonal & Communication Skills

Requirement

Importance

Has a strong customer orientation with strong interpersonal skills to develop strong and positive working relationships with internal customers and team members

Essential

Demonstrates the positive attitude and behaviours necessary to be an effective member of a team

Essential

Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

Essential

Additional Requirements

Requirement

Importance

Attention to detail

Essential

Promotes equality and values diversity

Essential

Willingness to embrace the values of the Partnership, ensuring it is a great place to work

Essential

Willingness to work outside standard hours as required

Essential

Able to present a positive image of self and the Partnership

Essential

Ability to maintain confidentiality and security of information where appropriate

Essential

NBI Partnership

The NBI Partnership provides non-scientific services to the John Innes Centre (JIC), Quadram Institute Bioscience (QIB), Earlham Institute (EI) and The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL). All of these organisations carry out scientific research funded by the UK Government, European Union, Charitable and Industrial Sponsors. The Partnership employs around 140 staff to cater for the needs of approximately 1100 Research Staff, Students and Visiting Scientists who are all located in close proximity on the Norwich Research Park.

The John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Earlham Institute and The Sainsbury Laboratory are registered charities (No’s 223852, 1058499, 1136213 and 106550) and are Equal Opportunity Employers.

For more information about working at NBI Partnership, please click here.

Department

Finance

Group Details

The Finance team is within the NBI Partnership and currently has approximately 20 team members. It is grouped into 4 main areas, Accounts Payable, Financial Control, Grant Reporting and Management Accounts.
The team provides key financial services to the 4 onsite institutes - JIC, TSL, QIB and EI. It also looks after subsidiary reporting and NBI Partnership.

Living in Norfolk

• Visit Norfolk
• Schools in Norfolk
• Childcare in Norfolk

Financial Accountant - General Ledger

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes Partnership (NBIP) has an exciting opportunity for a Financial Accountant - General Ledger to join their busy Finance department.

Background:

The Norwich Bioscience Institutes are a cluster of internationally renowned research organisations, working to tackle major challenges of the 21st Century – the sustainability of our environment, our food supplies and healthy ageing. 

The NBI Partnership provides high quality, non-scientific support services for the diverse community of staff, students and visiting workers at the Institutes (the Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory and Quadram Institute Bioscience) and for the NBI Partnership.

Based on the Norwich Research Park amongst 230 hectares of parkland, you will be joining a committed, professional and welcoming team.  In addition, you will enjoy a competitive salary and annual leave, our defined contribution pension scheme, excellent recreational facilities and a range of other employee benefits.

The Finance department provides expert financial support to world-leading science institutes, including the John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Quadram Institute Bioscience and the Earlham Institute. 

The role:

The Financial Accountant is responsible for the control of the general ledger. The role looks after the financial control team activity and ensures that month-end process are completed and closing the ledgers within 5 working days. The role will ensure the accuracy of the teams journals (accruals, prepayments and fixed assets), and have some involvement in ensuring balance sheet reconciliations are completed.

The ideal candidate:

Candidates should be part qualified in accountancy, either completing stage 1 or stage 2 in a recognised professional accounting qualification or qualified by relevant experience.

Candidates should have significant experience in working in a financial control team and prior experience of financial accounting in a research organisation or University is desirable.

They should have experience of maintaining the integrity of the ledgers, credit control, providing assistance in preparation of statutory accounts / audit as well as statistical reporting for statutory bodies and other stakeholders. They should have strong numeric analytical skills, with the ability to interrogate and interpret complex financial data and be able to work within a team.

Additional information:

Salary on appointment will be within the range £36,540 to £40,600 per annum depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time post for a contract of nine months. Although full-time hours are available, part-time hours can be considered.


For further information and details of how to apply, please visit our website http://jobs.nbi.ac.uk/  or contact the Human Resources team on 01603 450814 or nbi.recruitment@nbi.ac.uk quoting reference 1004924.

Please note, this post does not meet UKVI requirements to provide visa sponsorship.

The NBI Partnership is an equal opportunities and disability confident employer. We are committed to attracting, recruiting and retaining the best talent, and welcome all applications.

The closing date for applications will be 4 August 2025