Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Assistant Financial Accountant - £34,183 p.a. + benefits
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Canary Wharf
Job Summary
We are currently looking for an Assistant Financial Accountant to join our Finance Function within the Finance & Commercial group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, E14 4PU.
Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.
We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
This role sits within the Finance and Commercial Group, which provides financial, commercial and procurement leadership that enables the MHRA to deliver its mission of protecting public health through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices. The Group ensures strong stewardship of public resources, supports strategic decision-making, delivers value for money, and maintains robust governance, financial management and commercial frameworks across the Agency.
The Finance Function is responsible for financial accounting, reporting, planning, control and assurance activities across MHRA. The function delivers accurate financial information, maintains compliance with statutory and government requirements, and supports the Agency in achieving its objectives through effective financial management and stewardship.
Job Description
The Assistant Financial Accountant supports the production of accurate financial information and helps ensure compliance with financial controls and reporting requirements. The role contributes to month-end and year-end processes, reconciliations and audit activities, playing an important part in maintaining the integrity of the Agency's financial records. It provides a strong foundation for developing a professional career in financial accounting.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support Financial Accounting and Reporting by assisting with the preparation of quarterly financial reports, statutory accounts working papers, audit schedules and supporting documentation to ensure accurate and compliant financial reporting.
- Deliver Month-End and Year-End Activities through the preparation and posting of journals, balance sheet reconciliations, and the investigation and resolution of financial discrepancies.
- Maintain Financial Controls and Compliance by adhering to financial procedures, maintaining robust audit trails, and supporting internal control reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Provide Audit and Assurance Support by responding to audit requests, preparing evidence and documentation, and assisting with the implementation of recommendations to strengthen financial governance and control
Who are we looking for?
Our Successful Candidate Will Have The Following:
- AAT Level 4 qualified or working towards a professional accounting qualification (such as CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA or CFA), demonstrating commitment to a career in finance.
- Experience working within a finance environment, with the ability to apply financial knowledge and analytical skills to support financial reporting and improve performance.
- Strong attention to detail and numerical skills, with the ability to produce accurate financial information, identify discrepancies and maintain high-quality financial records.
- Knowledge of financial systems and reporting tools, including ERP platforms such as SAP or Oracle Fusion, together with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent organisational, communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, build effective working relationships and contribute to the delivery of a high-quality finance service
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Person specification
Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation
Behaviour Criteria:
- Communicating and Influencing (A, I)
- Delivering at Pace (A, I)
- Working Together (A, I)
- Managing a Quality Service (A, I)
Experience Criteria:
- Experience of Financial teams with a demonstrable track record of improving performance through technical know-how and analytical skills. (A, I)
- Strong decision-making skills able to demonstrate when and how to change or alter procedures and processes to achieve greater efficiencies and effectiveness (A, I)
- Attention to detail – able to spot errors and correct as required in order to produce reports with high accuracy that stakeholders can trust (A, I)
- Good numerical skills (A, I)
Technical Criteria:
- Completed AAT Level 4 or working towards a Professional qualification (CIPFA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA) (A, I)
- Proven experience of delivering value added financial reporting that provides insight and supports decision making
- Financial accounting experience gained preferably in the public sector (A, I)
- Knowledge of ERP platforms e.g. (SAP / Oracle Fusion) to process transactions and generate reports (A, I)
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications (A, I)
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £34,183, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £9,902 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
- Privilege Leave: 1 day
- Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
- Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
- Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
- Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
- Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
- Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
- Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
- Eligibility to join Motoring, Boundless by CSMA
- Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
- On-going learning and development
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Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here.
- Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application.
- Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of Technical Criteria.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Important Dates:
- Closing date: 28 August 2026
- Shortlisting date: w/c 31 August 2026
- Interview date: w/c 14 September 2026
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
Additional Information
Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.
Certain Roles Within The MHRA Will Require Post Holders To Have Vaccinations, And In Some Circumstances, Routine Health Surveillance. These Roles Include:
- Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
- Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
- Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
- Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD
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