Senior Accountant

About the role

Astex Pharmaceuticals, a world‑leader in innovative drug discovery, is looking for a Senior Accountant to join its busy finance department in Cambridge. The role supports the Head of Finance, oversees all financial activities and ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial information. You will also manage a Finance Assistant and a Purchase Ledger Controller.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare month‑end accounts up to trial‑balance level in GBP and handle journal preparation/approval.
• Manage general accruals, pre‑payments and balance‑sheet reconciliations.
• Produce monthly recharge invoices for the Japanese parent company.
• Post and reconcile payroll journals and calculate IFRS16 work‑ings.
• Assist with multi‑currency reporting, budgeting, forecasting and cash‑flow forecasting.
• Control detailed month‑end processes, including reconciliations and check‑lists.
• Support year‑end statutory reporting and liaise with auditors.
• Maintain the fixed‑asset ledger and oversee banking, payment processing and company credit‑card controls.
• Run multi‑currency BACS payments, perform electronic bank reconciliations and raise sales invoices in GBP, EUR and USD using Access.
• Prepare monthly VAT reclaim returns and assist with corporation tax calculations.

Required profile

• Accountancy qualification (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience in a similar senior accounting role.
• Strong IT aptitude and interest in personal growth.

Required skills

• Microsoft Access
• IFRS16 calculations
• Multi‑currency reporting
• VAT return preparation
• Payroll journal processing
• Fixed‑asset ledger management
• Bank reconciliation
• Cash‑flow forecasting