At a Glance
- Tasks: Support new product initiatives and provide financial insights to drive business decisions.
- Company: Join Caterpillar, a global leader in building sustainable communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, bonus potential, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while collaborating with engineering teams.
- Qualifications: Degree in Accounting or Finance; strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 49519 - 60000 £ per year.
When you join Caterpillar, you’re joining a global team that cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem‑solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
We’re looking for a Staff Accountant II – Cost / Decision Support to join our Finance team within the BCP Division, supporting Tech Ready Initiatives and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a high-impact, cross-functional environment, where you will act as a key finance partner to engineering and operational teams, helping assess financial feasibility and drive business decisions.
What You Will Do
- Support NPI (New Product Introduction) activities, including future cost, "should cost", and alternative scenario analysis
- Consolidate financial inputs from multiple functions to assess business case viability
- Present financial insights and recommendations during financial reviews and decision forums
- Perform complex cost accounting activities such as:
- Standard cost setting, monitoring, and variance analysis
- Cost system maintenance and issue resolution
- Investment analysis, including IRR calculations
- Capital expenditure forecasting and reporting
- Cost reduction identification and tracking
- Provide decision support and business partnering to engineering and operational teams
- Analyze regional profitability and support budgeting and forecasting processes
- Develop insights into cost drivers and recommend actions to improve financial performance
- Lead or contribute to cross-functional initiatives and continuous improvement projects
- Review financial outputs for accuracy and reasonableness and provide guidance to stakeholders
What You Have
- Financial & Business Acumen
- Strong understanding of cost accounting principles and financial analysis
- Ability to interpret financial data and translate it into actionable business insights
- Confidence in evaluating complex financial scenarios and investment decisions
- Business Partnering & Communication
- Ability to collaborate effectively with both financial and non-financial stakeholders (e.g., engineering teams)
- Strong communication and presentation skills, including experience delivering financial insights to management
- Proactive mindset with the ability to coordinate across multiple functions
- Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Ability to manage and analyze complex datasets
- Skilled in identifying root causes and developing practical solutions
- High level of attention to detail combined with a strategic perspective
- Managing Multiple Priorities
- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Strong organizational and coordination skills
Education / Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- Accounting degree or professional certification is an advantage
- Proficiency in English is required
Top Candidates Will Also Have
- Experience working in cross‑functional or project‑based environments
- Familiarity with financial systems and analytical tools (e.g., SAP, Power BI or similar)
- Strong understanding of manufacturing or product cost structures
What we offer
- Salary: £49,519 - £60,000 (depending on experience)
- 27 days annual leave
- Up to 10% bonus (based on personal and company performance)
- Contributory pension scheme – Caterpillar will match the employee’s contribution up to 6%
- Contributory share scheme – Caterpillar will match 50% of the employee’s contribution
- Optional flexible benefits including access to health and dental care plans, EV car lease, holiday purchase
Additional Information
- The role will require a 5 day a week on-site presence
- 37.5 hr week
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Staff Acct II Cost / DS employer: Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
Caterpillar is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of its employees while driving innovation and sustainability in the finance sector. Located in Desford, the company offers a collaborative work culture with ample opportunities for professional growth, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and a contributory pension scheme. Joining Caterpillar means becoming part of a global team dedicated to building a better world through meaningful work and impactful partnerships.
Contact Details:
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Acct II Cost / DS
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Caterpillar or in similar roles on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising your financial insights presentation. Caterpillar values strong communication skills, so make sure you can clearly explain complex financial scenarios and how they impact business decisions.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your analytical skills! Be ready to discuss how you've tackled cost accounting challenges in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Caterpillar team!
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Acct II Cost / DS
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your financial acumen and any relevant cost accounting experience to show us you’re the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re excited about this opportunity at Caterpillar. Share specific examples of how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Staff Accountant II position, especially in decision support and business partnering.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, don’t forget to mention your analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. We want to see how you’ve tackled complex datasets or financial scenarios in the past, so give us some solid examples!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your cost accounting principles and financial analysis skills. Be ready to discuss how you would approach complex financial scenarios and investment decisions, as this role heavily relies on these competencies.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be collaborating with both financial and non-financial stakeholders, practice explaining financial insights in a clear and engaging way. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex data to management or cross-functional teams.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you've managed and analysed complex datasets in the past. Think of specific instances where you identified root causes of financial issues and developed practical solutions, as this will highlight your problem-solving abilities.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to evaluate business cases and make recommendations. Practice articulating your thought process when analysing financial inputs and presenting insights, as this will showcase your decision support skills.
