Job Title: Senior Project Accountant/Assistant
Organisation: Rail Infrastructure
Location: Regional Office, York
Contract Duration: 04/07/2021 - TBC
*Outside of IR35*
What are my responsibilities?
Financial Management of major Alliance projects within the Project Delivery Organisation. Reporting to the Finance Project Lead within EL you will be responsible for:
Project Mobilisation -
Undertake a handover from the Tendering and Estimating team of the financial elements of a successful bid, creating the baseline budget, Project Delivery Report (PDR) and Contract Forecast Report (CFR) and full set up in the SAP system.
Project Forecasting and Reporting -
Report project actual and forecast spend to support Work Package Managers (WPM) and the Project Manager (PM) in the financial control and forecasting of their budgets.
Analyse new project forecasts, developing a view on robustness, timing, risk and opportunity. Review and, if necessary, challenge with both WPM and PM before finalising.
Ensuring all change is properly incorporated in cost and value, completing tender templates to determine budgeted cost.
Maintain for each project the P&L, balance sheet, order book and cashflow on behalf of the PM
Working with other parts of the project team as necessary g. Commercial function, prepare project reporting to the client where required
If dealing with cost reimbursable contracts, ensure all project audit requirements are dealt with in a timely and professional manner.
Supporting / advising other Project Accountants within the team regarding process and financial governance
Functional Reporting and Forecasting -
Ensure all project reports and forecasts are submitted to Central Finance on time, accurate, and are understood and approved, where necessary, by the Project and Regional Management teams.
Provide meaningful supporting commentary where required or necessary
Act as the independent conscience of the project ensuring the integrity of the financial status and forecast, escalating issues or concerns where necessary.
Deputising for Finance Manager on occasion to provide consolidated view on portfolio finance performance
Month End -
Calculate and review, where necessary, project accruals related to internal and agency staff, materials and major subcontractors.
Verify periodic costs to ensure month end position accurately reflects the financial position of the project.
Ensure the correct trading margin % and verify the traded position
Provide commentary on traded position and financial status/movement where necessary
Support EL Finance Project Lead in validating month end performance for portfolio as a whole, including projects supported by other Project Accountants within the team.
Accounts Receivable -
Manage or support the setup, submission and processing of Payment Applications, certificates and invoices, including all postings to the ledger.
Actively monitor the payment cycle ensuring any required actions are taken to maximize the cash position, chasing payments with customer where necessary
On Target Cost/Cost reimbursable contracts, ensure timely and accurate provision of all supporting information to enable issuing, approval and payment of all actual costs claimed.
Other Responsibilities -
Potential requirement to manage other Finance members within the team and providing guidance to other Project Accountants in the team
Maintenance of responsible projects within the finance Systems.
Compliance with all Group accounting policies, but in particular with the long term contract accounting policy.
Measures for success
Senior Project Accountant seen as a key partner and team player by Project Manager, Commercial Manager and Finance Team.
All budgets and forecasts, together with key risks, issues and opportunities, are owned, approved and understood by all appropriate parties
All submissions are accurate, robust and on time
What do I need to qualify for this job?
Essential
Fully Qualified Accountant/Exam Finalists (CIMA/ACCA)
Minimum 3-5 years accountancy experience
Strong Mathematically
Advanced Excel skills
Strong communicator with the ability to challenge and influence others
Desire and ability to work closely and develop productive relationships with both Finance staff other project functions
The ability to analyse and use data to add value to a process or activity
Be prepared to travel if required, occasional travel to project sites
Desirable
Relevant Contract accounting experience
Recent Management experience
A high level understanding or core contract terms and conditions which have a financial aspect