Workday Financials Senior Principal Consultant - Accounting Center & Prism in London

Workday Financials Senior Principal Consultant - Accounting Center & Prism in London

London Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Cognizant

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead transformative Workday Financials projects, bridging business and tech teams.
  • Company: Join Cognizant, a forward-thinking company that values innovation and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Enjoy remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Minimal travel required; excellent career advancement opportunities await you.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering data-driven accounting solutions in a dynamic environment.
  • Qualifications: 8-12+ years of ERP consulting experience with strong finance transformation skills.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

The Senior Principal Consultant will act as a strategic bridge between business and technical teams, leading complex Workday Financials engagements with a focus on Accounting Center and Prism Analytics. This role combines deep functional finance expertise with advanced data, reporting, and transformation capabilities to deliver scalable, data-driven accounting solutions. You will guide clients through transformation, implementation, and operational phases, while shaping solution design, driving delivery strategy, and leading high-performing teams.

Key Responsibilities

  • Act as a subject matter expert in Workday Financials, with deep specialization in Accounting Center and Prism Analytics.
  • Lead the end-to-end design and delivery of Accounting Center solutions, including accounting rules, journal generation frameworks, and source data integration.
  • Architect and oversee Prism Analytics data pipelines, datasets, and reporting solutions to support financial insights and decision-making.
  • Drive solution design workshops, translating complex business and data requirements into scalable Workday configurations.
  • Define and lead data strategy, including ingestion, transformation, reconciliation, and auditability of financial data.
  • Provide strategic guidance to clients on data-driven accounting models and reporting transformation.
  • Own and drive delivery across multiple workstreams, ensuring alignment between finance, data, and technical teams.
  • Identify dependencies and manage integration between source systems, Accounting Center, and Prism Analytics.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, including Finance and IT leadership.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop consultants and analysts, fostering both functional and technical capability growth.
  • Oversee testing strategies, validation processes, and issue resolution to ensure high-quality deliverables.
  • Take leadership roles such as Engagement Lead, Solution Architect, or Delivery Assurance Reviewer.
  • Ensure adherence to organisational standards, delivery methodologies, and best practices.
  • Support business development activities, including solution shaping and client proposals where required.

Skills & Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
  • 8-12+ years of ERP consulting experience, with strong exposure to finance transformation and data-led solutions.
  • 5+ years of Workday Financials implementation experience, including Accounting Center and/or Prism Analytics.
  • Proven expertise in Accounting Center design (accounting rules, journal processing, event-driven accounting).
  • Prism Analytics (datasets, pipelines, reporting, and data modelling).
  • Strong understanding of core finance processes, including general ledger, accounting, and financial reporting.
  • Experience delivering data transformation and reporting solutions within ERP or SaaS environments.
  • Experience integrating multiple source systems into financial platforms.
  • Proven ability to lead complex, multi-workstream programmes and make tactical delivery decisions.
  • Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with experience working with senior business leaders.
  • Proven leadership and mentoring experience within consulting teams.
  • Minimal travel required, but must be willing to travel on-site as needed.
  • Eligible for SC Clearance - you must have been a UK resident for the last five years and be legally entitled to work in the UK.

Why choose Cognizant:

  • Entrepreneurial environment that welcomes your ideas.
  • Opportunity to do great work.
  • Outreach programs that support communities and tap into your volunteer spirit.
  • Learning opportunities to help current needs and advancement.
  • Global operations, with opportunities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
  • An abundance of Affinity groups to meet your needs.

Cognizant Core Values:

  • Work as One: We think beyond roles, relying on each other’s strengths to win as a team.
  • Raise the Bar: We always aim for excellence in how we work and what we deliver.
  • Dare to Innovate: We push boundaries and take chances to reimagine what’s possible.
  • Do the Right Thing: We all lead with integrity and always make the ethical choice.
  • Own It: We own the outcomes for our company, colleagues, and community.

Summary

Location: GBR - United Kingdom - Remote; GBR - United Kingdom - London
Type: Full time

Workday Financials Senior Principal Consultant - Accounting Center & Prism in London employer: Cognizant

Cognizant is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the UK Public Sector. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, including training in cutting-edge AI technologies, while contributing to meaningful projects that impact government services. With a commitment to quality and excellence, Cognizant provides a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.

Cognizant

Contact Details:

Cognizant Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Workday Financials Senior Principal Consultant - Accounting Center & Prism in London

Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks

The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!

Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences

Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Cognizant. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!

Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise

Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Cognizant.

Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites

Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Cognizant. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!

We think you need these skills to ace Workday Financials Senior Principal Consultant - Accounting Center & Prism in London

Workday Financials
Accounting Center
Prism Analytics
Data Transformation
Reporting Solutions
Financial Data Integration
Stakeholder Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.

Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Cognizant and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!

Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.

Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Cognizant how you can be a team player!

How to prepare for a job interview at Cognizant

Brush Up on Technical Skills

Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!

Showcase Your Financial Acumen

If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Cognizant.

Know Your Numbers

In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.

Connect with Company Goals

Familiarise yourself with Cognizant's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!