Project Accountant

Catalyst is seeking a Project Accountant to play a central role in our Finance Team. You will help manage the financial delivery of a diverse portfolio of funded projects, ensuring budgets, claims, reporting and funding income are accurate, compliant and delivered on time.

Key Information

• Contract- Full- time, fixed-Term 2029, with opportunity to be extended
• Competitive salary – up to £50,000 depending on experience
• Based at the Innovation Centre, Queen’s Road, Belfast (hybrid working arrangement available)

• Private medical insurance for you and your dependents
• Generous life assurance policy
• Enhanced parental leave packages
• Free open access to company organised events
• Free parking onsite

Responsibilities

• Manage project budgets, ensuring expenditure is accurately recorded, monitored and reported against approved funding allocations.
• Review and submit project claims prepared by the Project Finance Assistant.
• Monitor project income, costs and cashflow, identifying variances, risks or underspends and escalating these to relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure project expenditure complies with funder rules, procurement requirements, contractual obligations and internal financial controls.
• Maintain accurate project financial records within the finance system, including budgets, cost codes, journals, income and expenditure allocations.
• Complete regular reconciliations of project expenditure, income and claims, investigating and resolving discrepancies promptly.
• Support month-end and year-end reporting by preparing project reconciliations, schedules, accruals and financial information.
• Produce clear and timely financial reports for project managers, funders and internal stakeholders, highlighting financial performance and key issues.
• Work closely with project managers to support budget management, forecasting, financial planning and informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support the review, approval and submission of procurement documentation and supplier costs in line with funder requirements.
• Maintain organised, audit-ready project files and provide supporting documentation for internal audits, external audits and funder verification checks.
• Build positive working relationships with internal teams, funders, suppliers and external partners, providing clear and timely advice on project finance matters.
• Support continuous improvement of project finance processes, controls and reporting, including the effective use of the finance system.
• Significant experience in a project accounting, management accounting, finance business partnering, or similar finance role.
• Demonstrable experience of preparing and monitoring project budgets, forecasts, financial claims, and management reports.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, reconciliations, and reporting processes.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using financial systems.
• Ability to analyse financial information and communicate findings to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience of grant-funded, capital, or externally funded projects.
• Experience preparing financial claims, budget monitoring, forecasting, and project financial reporting.

Special Requirements

• Proof of right to work in the UK.

Criteria may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. Exceptional candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered where relevant skills and experience are demonstrated.

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