Commercial Accountant - 1 Year FTC

Dahlia Recruitment - Life Sciences is partnered with a rapidly growing global Medical Device to recruit for a Commercial Accountant on a 1 year FTC. The Commercial Accountant is a key regional finance role supporting the financial performance, commercial planning, and payroll operations. Based in Greater Manchester, this role partners with Sales, Marketing, and Operations teams across the EMEA region, providing financial insights and decision support to drive profitable growth.

In addition to supporting our EMEA-wide operation, this role will also link with Global Finance colleagues based in APAC. A flexible approach to work, a collegiate working style and an ability to manage and maintain relationships is vital.

The role oversees outsourced payroll operations for employees located in the UK, Ireland, Germany, and France, ensuring accurate and compliant payroll processing in coordination with People & Culture and third-party providers.

The role will also support employee-queries which should be dealt with to the highest professional standard and in confidence, ensuring a positive employee experience of dealing with the Finance function (e.g., timely and accurate responses, provision of support on information relating to pensions, payroll queries etc.).

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

• Qualified or Part-Qualified Accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA).
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related discipline.
• 5-7+ years’ experience in a commercial or management accounting role within an international environment.
• Experience managing or coordinating payroll operations, preferably in partnership with external providers.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills, with knowledge of ERP (Microsoft Dynamics 365) and BI tools (e.g., Power BI).
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, and variance analysis.

Desirable:

• Experience in the medical device, healthcare, or life sciences sector.
• Familiarity with payroll legislation and employment compliance in UK, Ireland, Germany, and France.
• Experience working in a matrixed, multinational environment

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Strong analytical and commercial acumen.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities across regions.
• Confident communicator with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-finance colleagues.
• Proactive, collaborative, and solution-focused mindset.
• High standards of integrity and confidentiality, especially in handling payroll and employee data.
• Willingness to drive change and continuous improvements

PERFORMANCE MEASURES:

• Accuracy and timeliness of payroll processing and reporting across all four countries.
• Quality and insightfulness of commercial reporting and analysis.
• Budget and forecast accuracy at the regional and country level.
• Payroll compliance and audit readiness.
• Stakeholder satisfaction (finance, HR, external providers, employees).

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree qualification with minimum Accounting
• CA/ACCA qualified

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES & WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to build rapport with a broad range of people.
• Show high level of integrity and work ethic.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.
• Occasional travel across EMEA may be required (e.g., France, Germany, Ireland).
• Must have the right to work in the UK.