At a Glance
- Tasks: Support exciting new product initiatives and drive impactful financial decisions.
- Company: Join a leading finance team in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, bonus potential, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and development in a collaborative setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by partnering with engineering teams on financial insights.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of cost accounting and financial analysis required.
The predicted salary is between 49519 - 60000 £ per year.
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
Qualifications
- 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
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
Benefits
- 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
Staff Acct II Cost / DS in Earl Shilton employer: Caterpillar
Join our dynamic Finance team at Caterpillar, where we foster a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers employees to thrive. As a Staff Accountant II in our BCP Division, you'll enjoy competitive benefits including a generous salary, substantial annual leave, and a contributory pension scheme, all while contributing to impactful projects that drive business decisions. With ample opportunities for professional growth and development, this role offers a meaningful career path in a supportive environment located at the heart of our operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Staff Acct II Cost / DS in Earl Shilton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in cost accounting or decision support. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial analysis skills. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex cost scenarios in the past. We want to see your analytical thinking in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your communication skills! Practice presenting financial insights clearly and confidently. Remember, you’ll be collaborating with engineering teams, so being able to translate numbers into actionable insights is key.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Staff Acct II Cost / DS in Earl Shilton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Staff Accountant II role. Highlight your experience with cost accounting and financial analysis, and don’t forget to mention any relevant tools like SAP or Power BI that you’ve used.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about the role and how your skills align with our needs. Be sure to mention your experience in cross-functional environments and your ability to present financial insights.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, emphasise your analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Share examples of how you've managed complex datasets or identified cost drivers in previous roles to demonstrate your expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us, making it easier for us to review your qualifications!
How to prepare for a job interview at Caterpillar
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you brush up on your cost accounting principles and financial analysis skills. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, especially in relation to NPI activities or cost reduction initiatives.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves collaborating with both financial and non-financial stakeholders, practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated financial insights to management or cross-functional teams.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Be prepared to tackle some analytical scenarios during the interview. Think about how you would approach evaluating complex financial data or investment decisions, and be ready to share your thought process and any tools you’ve used, like SAP or Power BI.
✨Highlight Your Project Management Skills
This position requires managing multiple projects simultaneously, so come equipped with examples of how you've successfully juggled deadlines and priorities in the past. Discuss your organisational strategies and how you ensure accuracy in your financial outputs.