Technical Accounting Lead

Competitive salary and benefits apply

Location: Cambridge, UK

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led, patient-focused biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world’s most serious disease.

Finance at AstraZeneca has a clear vision to become trusted partners, connecting and innovating to add value. Our Group Financial Reporting function is continuing its transformation journey with the objective of delivering excellence in financial reporting and control. As this strategy continues to drive the efficiency and performance of the business, to the benefit of millions of patients worldwide, best in class finance reporting and leadership becomes ever more important.

The Technical Accounting Lead provides finance expertise making a significant contribution to the technical accounting conclusions for the AstraZeneca group, providing technical accounting advise and support as necessary across all SET areas and contributing to the delivery of technical accounting training to the AZ finance community.

In this role you will be responsible for:

Technical Accounting support

• Acts as Group Financial Reporting (GFR) representative who provides accounting support to a number of AZ teams including.
• Provides technical accounting advice and support as required to all SET areas, Financial controllers and embedded finance partners.
• Plays a significant role in the implementation of new accounting standards across AZ ensuring timely updates to the Group Accounting Manual and additional application guidance.
• Provides significant input into the preparation and delivery of technical accounting training across the AZ finance community.
• Is a frequent participant in the Pharma Forum, ensuring AZ perspective is represented in discussions with industry peers around the application of IFRS accounting standards in the Pharma industry.

Group Accounting Issues

• Oversee the Co-ordination of individual Accounting Issue Notes.

Annual Report, SEC reporting & Quarterly reporting

• Plays a lead role in the Annual Report process, providing co-ordination with auditors and the rest of the GFR team ensuring the auditors and other internal/external review points on the GFR owned sections of the Annual Report are appropriately addressed.
• Performs technical review of the annual report, including first review of a number of the notes.
• Involvement with projects to further simplify the group external reporting process.
• Support the review of the group Form 20-F and other SEC reporting.
• Ensure backing information is provided to auditors for all items needed to be covered under a comfort letter process with auditors for future bond issuances.
• Perform review of the Quarterly results announcement to ensure appropriate reporting of significant accounting matters.

AZ PLC and holding company statutory entities accounting and reporting

• On a monthly basis reviews the AZ PLC ERH (External Reporting Hub) submission and performance of related SOX controls.
• On a quarterly basis reviews and signs off the AZENCO4 and AZIHL legal entities prepared by the UK reporting Accountant.
• On an annual basis reviews the statutory accounts for AZ PLC published within the Group Annual Report, preparing the papers and statements for approval at the AstraZeneca Board.

Essential skills and experience

• Qualified finance professional e.g. ACA/ACCA
• Significant post-qualification experience particularly in IFRS reporting
• Experience of working across a global organisation
• In-depth understanding of regulatory/statutory requirements and governance principles/SOX across multiple jurisdictions
• Experience of working with senior management in matrix environment
• Energetic and self-motivated
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong numerical and analytical skills

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca, we 're dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and fuel your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

So, what’s next?

Are you already imagining yourself joining our team? Good, because we can’t wait to hear from you! Are you ready to bring new insights and fresh thinking to the table? Brilliant! We have one seat available, and we hope it’s yours

Where can I find out more? Our Social Media:

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Date Posted

Closing Date

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.