Internal Accountant

Our Mission Summary 
Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) is modelled on Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), which undertakes commercial and military contracts to fund scientific Research and Development (R&D). OSC’s founding Director was formerly a scientist at WHOI, hence this approach and pursuit of her core research interests. translating past and current R&D outputs into future goals, we aim to influence OsloPARis Convention (OSPAR) decommissioning legislation, by potentially repurposing offshore anthropogenic infrastructure via Nature-in-Design (NID) techniques into artifcial reefs, readdress methods to collect/analyse survey data more effectively and reduce carbon emissions (e.g. fewer people, vessels, and planes, etc.), promote long-term monitoring campaigns that focus on project lifecycles and not merely construction windows, by introducing high-tech low-power hardware and novel processing, which will progress the blue economy. 
 
Ocean Science Consulting Limited aims to influence decommissioning legislation and promote the blue economy through innovative research and development, focusing on marine mammal detection, artificial reefs, and reducing carbon emissions.Position title: Internal accountant
Type: Full-time, permanent position
Salary: Competitive depending on qualifications and experience 
Holiday: 32 days + birthday, incl. public holidays, increasing with service
Benefits: Health insurance
Location: Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland, UK (potential for remote/flexible working)
Start date: ASAP
 
About OSC
Ocean Science Consulting Limited (OSC) is a technology-focused marine science company involved principally in providing environmental services worldwide. OSC specialises in marine fauna and underwater-sound monitoring, acoustical and statistical modelling, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) surveys, and imagery analyses. OSC has a track record for providing environmental monitoring (mitigation for regulatory compliance) and scientific research (field studies and experiments) for a large clientele and range of marine industries.
 
Role
OSC is seeking an internal accountant to become a member of the team. The internal accountant will have previous experience working in a finance role, including knowledge of UK VAT. Our ideal candidate will have a proactive, hands-on mindset with the ability to self-review their work.
 
Responsibilities:

• Take responsibility for all in-house finance matters;
• Ability to work efficiently in a management accountant role across a wide range of projects, completing analysis as and when required by management;
• Using Xero software (and the associated Hubdocs App to upload receipts) to complete day-to-day bookkeeping, which includes OSC’s storage business (containers and vehicles) within a compound adjacent to our offices, and rental property;
• Using Rentila and managing customer contracts and payments for the storage business;
• Managing debtor and creditor ledgers and completing bank reconciliations;
• Preparation and filing of quarterly VAT returns;
• Completing monthly / quarterly management accounts;
• Preparation of records for R&D tax credits in contact with an external contractor, who provides software and training;
• Filing and naming according to company policy using SharePoint, with training provided;
• Enforcing company-wide adherence to financial policies, including the requirement for all staff to submit VAT receipts where applicable and upload these via Hubdocs;
• Implementing and maintaining ISO procedures with finances;
• Directors’ personal accounting/book-keeping/income tax and VAT returns; and,
• Payroll and associated records of working days and holiday.

 
Required:

• Legally permitted to work in UK prior to employment;
• Degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. accounting or finance) or previous experience working within a finance role; 
• Previous experience preparing and filing VAT returns;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong skills across Microsoft software (excel, word, outlook, teams);
• Able to work on own initiative and prioritise effectively, achieving results against deadlines;
• Genuine interest about the business, and the industry; and,
• Commercially aware, discreet, and able to handle sensitive information.

 
Desirable:

• Experience using Xero accounting software (training can be provided);
• Part qualified, qualified or qualified by experience.
• Experience with foreign currencies and transactions

 
OSC is an Equal Opportunities Employer. The company offers benefits such as health insurance, remote working, and opportunities for career progression. 
 
Please submit your CV and cover letter through OSC’s careers portal here. There will be a written test as part of the interview process. 
 
Kind Regards,
 
OSC Recruitment Team.