Cost Accountant

Cost Accountant

London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our Finance Team as a Cost Accountant, managing shipping costs and supporting month-end tasks.
  • Company: INEOS is a leading global chemical company with a strong presence in trading and shipping.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role in a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and process improvement.
  • Why this job: Be part of a significant expansion, contributing to impactful financial processes in a global company.
  • Qualifications: Ideal candidates have finance experience or are pursuing accounting qualifications, with strong analytical skills.
  • Other info: This role is office-based in Knightsbridge, London, and requires UK work eligibility.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

Business Unit: INEOS Trading & Shipping (ITS)

Location: Knightsbridge, London (office based)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time)

Background

A truly global company, INEOS is one of the largest chemical companies in the world with 65 sites across 16 countries. INEOS Trading & Shipping trades almost 10 million tonnes of physical feedstock every year enabling other businesses within INEOS; in particular the four highly integrated and differentiated crackers of INEOS in Europe, to manufacture chemicals and polymers. We have a growing shipping fleet under our control of 14 vessels, which includes the 27,500 cbm Dragon series of ships capable of transporting shale gas from the US to our cracker sites in Scotland and Norway. The shipping team transports more than 10 million tonnes of products per year for our businesses with around 3,000 movements per year across seaborne and inland routes. At INEOS Trading & Shipping we also look after a large portion of our European sites' exposures to natural gas, power and emissions markets. Natural gas and power help to run several of our sites across Europe – our portfolio extends across Germany, Belgium and Norway while we are active participants within the European Emissions Trading Scheme.

Requirement

We require a Cost Accountant with relevant experience to play a key role in the delivery and support of growth in our business. Reporting to the Business Controller, the successful candidate will be responsible for the reporting of shipping costs and for settlements in the Feedstocks team.

Principal Accountabilities

  • Accountability 1: Assist Finance Team
    As part of the INEOS Trading and Shipping Finance Team, the Cost Accountant will aid in Month End tasks. This includes assisting in managing the Shipping P&L via accounts payable/receivable transactions, as well as posting accruals and prepayments. The Cost Accountant will liaise with external parties to manage both fixed and variable costs associated with Shipping activities and ensure bunker stocks are documented and reconciled on the balance sheet. The Cost Accountant will support in production of final month end deliverables. Perform variance analysis on differences in performance versus forecast and budget. Raise any invoices required and post to Accounts Receivable ledger and ensure internal coding is correct. Monitor the systems for unpaid/overdue items and work with the Trading team to follow-up and resolve these items. Produce monthly forecast of Shipping P&L and weekly forecast of Shipping cashflow.
  • Accountability 2: Process improvement
    A key element of the role will be involvement in Finance process improvement as the business enters a period of significant expansion. This includes streamlining month end processes in conjunction with the Operations, Trading, Shipping, and Risk and Control Teams and improving the interface between SAP and existing Finance related documentation and reconciliations.
  • Accountability 3: Accounts Payable/Receivable for Feedstocks Team
    Raise any invoices required and post to Accounts Receivable ledger in a timely manner as requested by Feedstock Operators and ensure internal coding is correct. Monitor the systems for unpaid/overdue items and work with the Feedstocks team to follow-up and resolve these items. Record and process invoices received by the Feedstocks team for accuracy, ensure all the invoices are appropriately approved under pre-defined Delegation-of-Authority (DoA) limits and then passed to Accounts Payable for posting to AP ledger and subsequent settlement. These invoices will include product purchases, shipping charters, and bunker invoices as well as general services for the team in Hans Crescent. Work with the ship charterers to manage demurrage with the ship brokers.
  • Accountability 4: Preparation and Maintenance of Process Documents
    Prepare and maintain a set of procedures which documents the settlement process for AP & AR covered by this Job Description.

Interested candidates should possess:

  • Knowledge of accounting control procedures and accounting rules
  • At least one year experience in a finance role, or working towards accounting qualification – ACA, ACCA, CIMA equivalent
  • Analytical mindset and problem-solving approach
  • Ideally have system knowledge and experience using SAP and Qlikview
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Word

Behavioural

  • Ability to work productively when under pressure, meet tight deadlines and multi-task
  • Good interpersonal, communication and people management skills
  • Strive for continuous improvement
  • Energetic, enthusiastic, self-motivated and results oriented personality
  • Take responsibility for own performance
  • Ability to prioritise

We are only able to consider candidates who have the right to live and work in the UK, as we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. To apply, please click 'Apply' and submit your cover letter and CV.

Cost Accountant employer: INEOS Belgium

At INEOS Trading & Shipping, we pride ourselves on being a leading global employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture in the heart of Knightsbridge, London. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous training opportunities and a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and process improvement. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team where your contributions directly impact our success in the chemical industry.
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Contact Detail:

INEOS Belgium Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Cost Accountant

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the shipping and trading industry, especially in relation to cost accounting. Understanding the specific challenges and trends in this sector will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to INEOS Trading & Shipping.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the finance and shipping sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with people who work at INEOS or similar companies. This can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals.

✨Tip Number 3

Brush up on your SAP skills, as experience with this system is a plus for the role. Consider taking an online course or tutorial to enhance your proficiency, which will make you a more attractive candidate.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your analytical mindset and problem-solving abilities during the interview. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully tackled financial challenges or improved processes.

We think you need these skills to ace Cost Accountant

Accounting Control Procedures
Financial Reporting
Accounts Payable/Receivable Management
Variance Analysis
Cost Management
Process Improvement
SAP Proficiency
Qlikview Experience
Microsoft Excel Expertise
Attention to Detail
Analytical Mindset
Problem-Solving Skills
Interpersonal Communication
Time Management
Ability to Work Under Pressure

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in finance and accounting. Emphasise any specific roles where you've managed accounts payable/receivable or worked with shipping costs, as these are key responsibilities for the Cost Accountant position.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention your analytical mindset and problem-solving skills, and provide examples of how you've contributed to process improvements in previous roles.

Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, especially if you have any accounting certifications like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA. If you have experience with SAP or Qlikview, make sure to include that as well, as it aligns with the job requirements.

Showcase Your Interpersonal Skills: Since the role requires good communication and people management skills, include examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to work effectively under pressure and collaborate with teams.

How to prepare for a job interview at INEOS Belgium

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Cost Accountant, you'll be dealing with financial data daily. Brush up on your accounting principles and be prepared to discuss how you've managed costs in previous roles. Be ready to provide examples of variance analysis and how you’ve contributed to improving financial processes.

✨Familiarise Yourself with SAP

Since the role requires knowledge of SAP, make sure you understand its functionalities. If you have experience using it, be prepared to share specific instances where you used SAP to streamline processes or improve reporting accuracy.

✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills

The job description highlights the need for an analytical mindset. Prepare to discuss challenges you've faced in previous finance roles and how you approached problem-solving. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

✨Show Enthusiasm for Continuous Improvement

INEOS is looking for someone who strives for continuous improvement. Think of examples where you identified inefficiencies and implemented changes that led to better outcomes. This will show your proactive attitude and alignment with their values.

Cost Accountant
INEOS Belgium
Location: London
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