Financial Accountant (Senior)

Overview : CLS is currently going through an unprecedented and exciting period of growth and development and is looking for dynamic, dedicated and solutions driven team members, who want to be part of the company’s continued success.  Founded in 1994, Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) is the highest accredited contract laboratory in Ireland and the leading provider of sampling, analysis, and analysts to the pharmaceutical, medical device, food, and environmental industries. As well as analysis and testing at our commercial laboratories, CLS builds strategic partnerships with its clients to deliver a flexible and managed quality solution (FlexiQ) by supplying organisations with highly skilled, work-ready quality professionals on a temporary, project-specific, or long-term basis.  This service can be provided at a CLS site or directly at the client's location. Job Title, Summary & Reporting Line :   Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Financial Accountant (Senior) will lead the operational aspects of the company’s finance function. This role involves managing the financial transactions, ensuring compliance with regulations, preparing reports, and supporting the CFO with financial insights to guide decision-making. What’s important : Previous experience as a Financial Accountant in an SME environment. Experience using SAP and Microsoft Power BI. Excellent attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines. Strong analytical and reporting skills. The Role : Accounting & Transactions Oversee day-to-day financial operations across the finance team, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, bank reconciliations and general ledger management. Ensure accurate and timely recording of financial transactions in compliance with accounting standards. Coordinate with relevant departments to gather necessary data, ensure compliance with internal processes and systems and completeness and accuracy of financial records. Manage claims processes for funding to ensure that we adhere to procedural requirements and maximise funding opportunities for the business. Process monthly payroll, ensuring timely and accurate payment of salaries, bonuses, and statutory deductions. Financial Reporting Prepare monthly management accounts, ensuring accuracy and adherence to deadlines. Support the CFO in the preparation of group reports, financial summaries, and ad hoc analyses. Ensure all statutory reporting requirements are met, including VAT returns, tax filings, and year-end accounts. Budgeting & Forecasting Assist the CFO in preparing annual budgets and periodic forecasts, working with department heads to ensure alignment with operational objectives. Monitor actual performance against budgets, report on variances with recommended actions and work with department management to track spending and manage cost control. Provide support in financial modeling for new projects, cost analysis, and scenario planning. Monitor and manage cash flow to ensure the company meets its financial obligations. Financial Systems Manage the financial modules in SAP, ensuring proper configuration and usage aligned with accounting standards and internal controls. Ensure accurate coding of transactions and consistency of data entry across departments. Work closely with the IT, commercial and operations teams to improve SAP reporting and process automation. Develop and maintain dynamic dashboards and customized financial reports in Power BI to visualize performance and support data-driven decisions. Integrate financial data from SAP and other systems to create unified reporting platforms. Provide training and guidance to team members and stakeholders on interpreting Power BI dashboards. Compliance & Audits Ensure the company complies with financial regulations and internal policies. Coordinate with external auditors during audits, ensuring accurate and complete information is provided. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant tax and financial regulations. Where you’ve come from : Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent). Proven experience (3+) in a financial accountant role in a commercial business. Who you are : Strong understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, and transaction processing. Experience in using financial software and ERP systems, ideally SAP. Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills. Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines Hands-on approach to financial management. Analytical mindset with the capability to make informed decisions and solve problems. Clear and effective communication, including the ability to explain financial concepts to non-finance staff. Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professional integrity. Ability to work collaboratively across teams and build strong working relationships.