Graduate - Finance & Accounting

Job Description

24-Month Graduate Scheme with Rotations in Financial Planning & Analysis, Accounting & Reporting, Risk & Assurance, and Tax.

The Finance & Accounting Graduate Scheme is designed for ambitious individuals seeking to accelerate their careers while completing their professional accountancy qualifications. As part of the Finance team you will gain hands-on experience across Financial Planning & Analysis, Accounting, Tax, and Compliance supporting multiple entities, including our Human Health and Animal Health businesses.

Our Finance team provides financial insights that enable strategic decision-making through advanced techniques in financial analysis, planning, accounting, reporting, and performance management.

This role will be based in our modern state-of-the-art co-working facilities in Moorgate, London. This site, at the heart of London provides fantastic amenities, support services and collaborative workspaces with convenient transport links.

We are a global biopharmaceutical leader committed to enhancing the lives of individuals through a diverse portfolio of prescription medicines, oncology treatments, life-saving vaccines, and animal health products. Our unwavering dedication to delivering innovative solutions is the driving force behind everything we do.

Responsibilities:

12 months in Accounting to Reporting (AtR) with additional responsibilities in Risk & Assurance / Compliance and FP&A:

You will begin your journey in the Accounting to Reporting function within the Finance team, supporting the delivery of high-quality, accurate, and timely accounting activities across multiple business areas and legal entities. In addition, you will work closely with the Risk and Assurance team to support compliance with corporate and local policies, as well as internal control frameworks.

• Liaise with Regional / Global Delivery teams and support transactional accounting activities (e.g., period-end adjustments, Purchase Order / invoice processing, cash application / collection, cash & investment accounting, intercompany, fixed assets), while ensuring compliance with all quality / control requirements
• Respond to inquiries from key business stakeholders (e.g., Finance Lead, Regional / Divisional Controller) regarding financial results and variances
• Work alongside our team to build awareness on the importance of a strong internal control environment for all reportable/legal entities
• Work alongside our team on internal and external audits and review any findings. Work with the team to provide recommendations for potential internal control impacts

12 months in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) with additional responsibilities in Tax:

You will progress in Year 2 with the Human Health Financial Planning & Analysis team where you will support the preparation of results reporting, financial forecasts and analyses to support corporate objectives. In addition, you will work closely with the local tax team support the preparation and review of Direct and Indirect tax returns, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.

• Build an understanding of the UK Human Health commercial organisation
• Support the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of the month-end close
• Monitor, track, and report business performance to facilitate decision making
• Support the Financial forecast and submission to Regional Finance
• Assist in maintaining an effective internal control environment and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and corporate policies
• Work with the tax team to support the preparation and review of Direct and Indirect tax returns, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
  

Requirements:

• Studying towards a degree (or equivalent qualification) in Mathematics, Economics, Business, or a related discipline, or have graduated within the last two years
• Proficient with all Microsoft productivity applications.
• Able to work effectively in a team environment and possess excellent communication skills.
• Able to work with both on-site and remote teams.
• Attention to detail and ability to work with large datasets.
• You will be expected, and supported, to undertake your professional Finance/Accounting Qualification (CIMA or ACCA) from when you join us, and plan a timeline for completion during the contract.

Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduates:

We are looking for students based in the UK who complete their undergraduate degree between 2025 and 2027.

Important Note:

• We do not provide sponsorship for UK work visas during or after the graduate program.
• To be eligible for the 2-year program, you must have the right to work in the UK for its entire duration (Until August 2029).

How to Apply (Please read):

Please complete the online application form by answering questions within the application and upload your CV and Cover Letter in a combined document in the ‘resume/CV’ section.

Our standard Future Talent recruitment process is: An online application, a virtual conversation and then a final assessment.

Next Steps:

In the event of your successful progression to the next stage, one of our future talent team will contact you within two - three weeks of the application closing date.

Start Date:

September 2027

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

For more Information visit Future Talent page!

#UKFT26

Required Skills:

Account Analysis, Account Analysis, Accounting, Accounting Law, Accounting Management, Annual Accounts, Corporate Finance, Economic Research, Economic Studies, External Audit, Finance, Finance Strategy, Financial Analysis, Financial Controlling, Financial Forecasting, Financial Planning, Financial Statement Review, Flexible Mindset, Internal Control Framework, Internal Control Procedures, Internal Control System, Internal Financial Control, Investments Analysis, Management Reporting, Monthly Close Process {+ 6 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company. No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Project Temps (Fixed Term)

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Not Indicated

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

No

Job Posting End Date:

10/13/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.