Assistant Management Accountant Robert Half

Notjustlabcoats; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing biotech start-up in Cambridge is seeking an Assistant Management Accountant to support their expanding finance team. This newly created role involves preparing monthly management accounts, assisting with financial controls, and collaborating with various teams. Candidates should be actively studying for an accounting qualification and possess strong Excel skills. This position offers a competitive salary and operates on a hybrid work model, requiring around two days per week in the office.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Strong benefits package

Hybrid working model

Qualifications

• Studying for professional accounting qualifications.
• Experience with month-end processes preferred.
• Strong Excel skills for data analysis required.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts for review.
• Assist with financial controls and payroll processes.
• Support project budget tracking and cashflow forecasting.
• Contribute to compliance and handle ad hoc tasks.

Skills

Actively studying ACCA / CIMA / ACA

Strong grounding in accounting principles

Confident user of Excel (lookups, PivotTables)

Comfortable working with scientific and non-financial teams

High attention to detail

Job description

Robert Half are delighted to be partnering with a rapidly growing, next-generation start-up based in Cambridge, as they look to hire an Assistant Management Accountant to join their expanding finance team.

This is a newly created role due to growth, reporting directly into the Financial Controller, and will play a key part in strengthening their financial foundations as they scale their R&D, manufacturing, and operational capabilities.

If you're looking for a role that offers true variety, exposure across the business, and the opportunity to develop your management accounting skills in a complex, high-growth environment - this provides exactly that.

Key Responsibilities

Month-End & Management Accounts

• Support preparation of monthly management accounts to review stage.
• Prepare accruals, prepayments and journals with clear audit trails.
• Reconcile key balance sheet accounts, ensuring accuracy and control.
• Assist with monthly reporting packs and variance analysis across scientific and operational departments.

Financial Controls & Processes

• Contribute to an efficient month-end close timetable.
• Process monthly payroll to review stage for UK employees.
• Complete bank reconciliations, purchasing card reconciliations and project spend analysis.
• Support cashflow forecasting by maintaining robust cash schedules.

Project & Operational Support

• Assist with project-level budget tracking across R&D and operational teams.
• Partner with scientific and non-financial stakeholders to improve cost visibility and strengthen financial understanding.
• Ensure accuracy of financial information relating to grants and external reporting requirements.

Compliance & Other Duties

• Support VAT returns, payroll reconciliations and external audit requests.
• Assist with process improvements, system developments and automation initiatives.
• Handle ad hoc finance tasks as required within a fast-moving environment.

Skills & Qualifications

• Actively studying ACCA / CIMA / ACA.
• Strong grounding in accounting principles and exposure to month-end processes.
• Confident user of Excel (lookups, PivotTables, data analysis).
• Comfortable working with both scientific and non-financial teams.
• High attention to detail, strong organisational skills and a proactive mindset.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within biotech, pharma, life sciences or other regulated industries.
• Understanding of project accounting, CAPEX, or R&D cost categories.
• Exposure to process improvements, finance system rollouts or automation.

Salary & Benefits

The role of Assistant Management Accountant is offered with a competitive salary (dependent on experience) plus a strong benefits package. This company operates a hybrid model, with around two days a week in their Cambridge office.

Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: gb/en/privacy-notice.