About the Role

If you are expected to achieve at least a 2:1 in a finance related degree and would like to enhance your employability through relevant work experience, an industrial placement with the NPL gives you the opportunity to provide hands-on support to our excellent team of finance professionals.

This 15-month opportunity offers experience in management information, reporting, supporting the growth of future business and transactional activities; providing a varied yet thorough introduction to the finance function. The National Physical Laboratory has apprentices, students, scientists and professional staff all working towards a common goal. This, coupled with many societies, allows for interactions with a diverse workforce and an easy transition from university life.

The finance team at NPL are responsible for supporting the business by giving advice and guidance on financial queries, managing performance, and processing essential transactions to our customers and suppliers. As you gain experience, you will be given greater responsibility, including ad-hoc projects. The placement is an excellent way to apply your theoretical knowledge and develop within the role.

Working with Excel spreadsheets, PowerBI and the Oracle system, you will develop highly sought-after technical skills. There is also an opportunity to attend NPL training courses such as using Excel, communicating effectively and time management. By the end of the year you will have gained a wealth of experience, giving you the confidence to pursue your finance career.

NPL is following all available Covid-19 regulations and is encouraging a balance between Office and Home working, therefore you will be expected to be able to attend the office a few days a week.

We are now working in a hybrid way, with a mix of remote and office working. We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in. 

About You

We’re looking for three well-organised, driven, ambitious students. The candidate should have strong communication skills, the ability to think and work flexibly and be passionate about working in a collaborative team environment. The opportunities available are in the areas of ‘Financial Planning and Analysis’ and ‘Financial Accounting’

Financial Planning and Analysis Placement:

This opportunity will involve working closely with the Assistant Financial Planning and Analysis Manager, as well as the Commercial and Management Accounting teams. The role provides exposure to financial reporting, data analysis, as well as numerous finance systems, and allows you to refine your Excel, Power BI skills and get involved in many different areas of Finance. You will provide guidance and support on various queries to both scientists and individuals external to the company. To succeed in the role during your placement you will need to demonstrate strong numerical and analytical skills, as well as excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work well collaboratively.

Central Finance Placement:

This opportunity will involve working closely with the Assistant Financial Accountant and Financial Accounting Manager to ensure efficient financial and statutory reporting, the smooth completion of Month end tasks, as well as internal and year end audit tasks. This opportunity will give exposure to VAT, Financial Reporting and Capital Expenditure. Due to the wide breadth of this role, it would appeal to a candidate who possesses good time management, is detail orientated and has an investigative mindset.

Excel experience for the roles is desirable but not essential as training will be provided.

Please note:  Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews will be conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.  

If you are applying for this position and you have been displaced by the Ukrainian crisis, please apply and email careers@npl.co.uk or text 07976873073 highlighting you are applying under the "We support Ukraine" initiative - Ukraine employment support - NPL

About The Company

NPL and BEIS have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and BAME candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

We’re transforming. As a national laboratory, we’re exploring even more commercial routes to market and that’s presenting us with greater opportunity – for you and us. Our success relies on the diversity and talent of our people, we strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued and supported to excel in their chosen field. This value is at the core of our organisation.

We believe in a culture of fairness by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, background or any other factor irrelevant to a person’s work. At NPL we are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits. NPL’s values are at the heart of what we do and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.

As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we signed up to the Institute of Physics' Project Juno in 2015 as a Juno Supporter. NPL were proud to be awarded Juno Practitioner status in 2018. NPL also joined Stonewall as a Diversity champion in 2015, participating in their annual Workplace Equality Index for the equality of LGBT+ community at NPL. In 2018, NPL became a member of the Business Disability Forum and joined the disability confident scheme as level 1 committed employer.

To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.