Self Employed Accountant (On Site)

Self-Employed Accountant

Professional Services Engagement

Fee: £200 per day (or equivalent fee agreed for services delivered)

Estimated Effort: Three days per week, as required to deliver the agreed services

Location: Sunderland (On-site attendance)

Initial Statement of Work: Ongoing Engagement

Status: Outside IR35

About Rokshaw Laboratories

Rokshaw Laboratories is a pharmaceutical manufacturing business based in Sunderland. As the business continues to develop its internal finance capability, we require the services of an experienced finance professional to deliver day-to-day transactional accounting services, maintain accurate financial records, and support the smooth running of finance operations.

The Engagement

We are seeking an independent finance professional operating as a sole trader or through their own limited company to provide outsourced transactional finance and accounting services to Rokshaw Laboratories.

The engagement will undertake managing core finance activities, including supplier invoice processing and purchase ledger administration, payment preparation, bank reconciliations, accounting record maintenance and month-end support. The contractor will assist in establishing reliable and efficient finance processes as Rokshaw Laboratories continues to strengthen its in-house finance capability.

Scope of Professional Services

The contractor shall provide finance and accounting services including, but not limited to:

• Processing supplier invoices and maintaining accurate purchase ledger records.
• Managing accounts payable activities, including supplier statement reconciliations and payment preparation.
• Monitoring customer accounts and supporting credit control activities where required.
• Processing banking transactions and completing daily bank reconciliations.
• Preparation of monthly Direct Debit collection files
• Maintaining accurate accounting records within Sage 200.
• Investigating and resolving accounting queries, discrepancies and unmatched transactions.
• Monitoring and ownership of a busy accounting mailbox
• Completing monthly financial close activities, including journals and account reconciliations.
• Maintaining fixed asset and prepayment schedules where required.
• Preparing routine finance reports and reconciliations for management review.
• Supporting and mentoring of Junior Data Analyst
• Production and delivery of monthly management accounts and reporting packs.
• Preparation of profit and loss analysis and financial performance reporting.
• Completion of period-end reconciliations and balance sheet reviews.
• Supporting external accountants with information requests relating to statutory reporting and audits.
• Assisting with the continued transition and development of internal finance processes.
• Identifying opportunities to improve transaction processing efficiency, accuracy and financial controls.

Contractor Requirements

The successful contractor should demonstrate:

• Proven experience delivering bookkeeping, accounts payable, accounts receivable or transactional accounting services.
• Strong knowledge of financial controls, reconciliations and accounting processes.
• Experience working with Sage 200 or similar ERP/accounting systems.
• Experience supporting SMEs, manufacturing businesses or regulated industries.
• AAT qualified, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, QBE or equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to deliver services independently with minimal client direction.
• Professional indemnity insurance (preferred).

Engagement Terms

• Engagement with an independent contractor operating as a sole trader or through their own limited company.
• The contractor shall remain responsible for all taxation, National Insurance, VAT (where applicable), insurance and other statutory obligations arising from their business activities.
• The contractor is free to provide services to other clients during the engagement.
• There is no obligation on Rokshaw Laboratories to provide further work beyond the agreed Statement of Work.
• There is no obligation on the contractor to accept any future work.
• A genuine right of substitution applies, subject only to appropriate qualifications, confidentiality requirements and site access approval where necessary.
• The contractor shall determine how the services are delivered and may use their own processes and working methods to achieve the agreed outputs.
• The contractor may engage employees, associates or subcontractors within their own business to assist in delivering the services, subject to confidentiality and compliance requirements.
• The contractor shall provide and maintain their own equipment wherever reasonably practicable.
• The contractor shall be responsible for correcting, at their own cost where appropriate, any defective work that fails to meet the agreed specification.
• The contractor will not receive holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions or any employee benefits.
• Nothing in this engagement shall create an employment, worker or agency relationship between the parties.

Practical Requirements

• Services are expected to equate to approximately three days per week, although the contractor remains responsible for determining the effort required to fulfil the agreed services.
• Attendance at the Sunderland site may be required to access Sage 200, accounting records and operational information.
• Working times are not prescribed by Rokshaw Laboratories, provided agreed outputs and deadlines are achieved.
• Regular communication with operational managers, suppliers, customers and external accountants may be required to facilitate delivery of the services.

This engagement is intended to establish a professional business-to-business relationship focused on the delivery of defined finance and accounting services and agreed outcomes, rather than the provision of labour under the supervision, direction or control of Rokshaw Laboratories.