Reconciliation Specialist

FTC – End date Dec 2024

Location – Manchester, UK.

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across three continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.

We are currently looking for a Operational Excellence Specialist for our Manchester Shared Service Centre. The Role will report to the Head of Operational Excellence at the Manchester Shared Services Centre.

The reconciliation expert will be responsible for performing and improving targeted balance sheet accounts and ad-hoc quality reviews of all balance sheet categories to ensure accuracy and compliance with relevant accounting standards.

The RCoE will play a critical role in identifying and driving areas for process enhancements, driving efficiency, and implementing best practices within the reconciliation process to achieve operational excellence.

Key Accountabilities:

Balance Sheet Reconciliation: Assist RTR Accountants in performing monthly, quarterly, and annual balance sheet reconciliations. Analyse, document and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner, ensure reconciliations are completed accurately and compliant with internal policies and external regulatory standards.

Continuous Improvement: Actively identify, recommend, and implement improvements to the reconciliation process and the associated upstream processes to increase efficiency, accuracy, and compliance. Recommend leveraging best practice account structures, financial systems and tools to harmonise, automate and streamline processes where possible.

Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams, including finance, audit and internal control teams, and operations, to improve financial controls and reporting accuracy. Communicate effectively with management regarding balance sheet discrepancies and improvement opportunities.

Embed a Robust Quality Review Framework: Define the key quality indicators / best practice / process requirements of key target accounts, reviewing and communicating requirements to gaps to internal stakeholders.

Policy and Procedure Recommendations: Recommend development areas to  financial policies and procedures to reflect best practices and continuous improvement initiatives.

Training and Development: Provide training and guidance to Accounting Staff on reconciliation procedures and lean continuous improvement techniques. Foster a culture of learning and process excellence within the team.

Project Management / Coordination: Lead or participate in financial projects that impact the reconciliation process.

Key requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA) is preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in accounting with a focus on balance sheet reconciliations.
• Demonstrated experience in process improvement  / LSS / process mining within finance or accounting.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, standards (GAAP or IFRS), and regulatory requirements.
• Proficient in SAP FI, with a knack for leveraging technology to improve processes.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Key Desired Areas of Expertise:

• Payroll
• Inventory
• GR/IR
• Asset under Construction

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.

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