Job Description

What is the job?
As Assistant Accountant, you will be a key member of the Accounts department where you will be involved in a number of processes, such as month end close, monthly management and financial reporting, management information analysis, business partnering, and meeting business compliance needs. This is a 12 month Fixed Term Contract.
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 8.00 am - 4.30 pm (Hybrid working available)
Who we are?
Thorlabs is a global, industry leading optical technologies company. We are experts in the design and manufacture or a range of innovative photonics products. We use these products in manufacturing and research, from fibre optics to piezo motors. We are the gold standard with optics laboratories worldwide. There are now 22 facilities across the world in 9 countries. Here in Ely, we are responsible for the Motion Control and Optical Tables product line.
Where you will be working?
It's a hybrid role, working in our new purpose-built facility in Witchford, Ely as well as your home. Our purpose-built facility is just 12 miles from Cambridge, within the beautiful mediaeval city of Ely. There are train and bus links to Ely from Kings Cross and Liverpool Street London, and our site is within distance of Ely train station and Ely Bus station.
Requirements
What is essential to us...

• A-Level/NVQ level 3 or equivalent experience or qualifications.
• AAT qualification is desirable but not essential.
• Minimum two years experience working in a similar role within a fast-paced Finance team using ERP systems.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, ability to use wide range of formulas and present data effectively
• Experience using Power BI - desirable
• Experience using Microsoft D365 - significant advantage
• An eye for detail with good analytical skills
• Ability to multitask, time manage and work independently as well as a team
• Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly
• Working collaboratively within the finance team to ensure timely processing of documents

What we would like you to do/ to see...
Month end close, monthly management and financial reporting

• Assist with month end tasks such as preparing and posting selected general ledger journals and completing general ledger transactions analysis as scheduled in the month end close calendar.
• Support the maintenance of the ERP system fixed assets register and Construction in Progress GL account by ensuring that new additions are placed in service in the correct period, assets are categorised appropriately, depreciation is calculated correctly and posted to the ledgers during the month end process.
• Prepare selected profit and loss ledger accounts analysis and periodically reconcile all balance sheet accounts.
• Support preparation of monthly Thorlabs Limited standalone and consolidated financial statements.
• Assist Financial Controller with interpretation of the results producing supporting schedules, presentations and other ad hoc analyses.

Management Information analysis, Business Partnering activities

• Compile and release daily/weekly management information reports (Daily Numbers, Weekly Numbers, Items Sales Analysis, Weekly Headcount Report, Lean Reporting, etc.
• Support Financial Controller during the annual budgeting process including collecting input from departmental managers, compiling collected data, raising queries, etc.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders regarding fixed assets additions being deployed, confirming physical location, labelling, etc.
• Prepare functional budget analysis vs. actuals.

Compliance

• Prepare UK VAT returns, audit transactions to ensure VAT rules are correctly applied.
• Complete selected National Statistics reporting requests.
• Support R&D tax credit claim preparation process.

What will you get?
At Thorlabs there are lots of opportunities for inhouse customised training and development that accelerates your career progression. We have free onsite parking, free refreshments, as well as an entertainment area in our large canteen for your enjoyment.
And the benefits are?
Competitive Salary to attract the best, plus an excellent benefits package including pension, health care, 25 days holiday plus public holidays.
Job Reference: THOR-VC-1199
Commitment bonus to be paid at the end of the contract if the relevant criteria has been met. Further information available from
This is a rolling campaign, so we will actively interview applicants. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
We welcome applications from persons who are over 18 years old.
*This is a legal requirement, further information is here
This role does not currently meet the UK Visas and Immigration criteria for obtaining a Skilled Worker Visa we are therefore unable to accept applications that require employer sponsorship in order to obtain a Skilled Worker Visa.
We would encourage all internal applicants to inform their line managers of their interest in this position.
Benefits
-Contributed Pension Scheme -Group Life Cover -Private Health Care -Group Income Protection & more.
Please apply through the Apply for this job button or send a copy of your CV along with a covering letter and your salary expectations to: Human Resources at Thorlabs Ltd, 204 Lancaster Way Business Park, Ely, Cambs, CB6 3NX or e-mail recruitment@thorlabs.com.
We are Disability Confident Committed
In line with the requirements of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, all applicants must have a valid permission to enter or remain in the UK with no condition that prevents them from working in the UK. Documented evidence of such permission will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.