Project Controller/Snr Project Controller (Exp in Project Accounting)/MNC Engrg! in London

Our client is seeking a highly analytical and commercially minded Project Controller (or Senior Project Controller depending on experience) to join our finance team. In this critical role, you will act as the "financial co‑pilot" to our Project Managers, ensuring the successful execution of projects from a financial and commercial perspective. You will move beyond simple reporting to provide strategic insights, manage risks, and ensure project profitability and cash flow optimization throughout the project lifecycle.

Take full ownership of the financial health of assigned projects, rigorously monitoring actuals vs. budget/forecast. Prepare high-quality monthly Project Status Reports (PSR), analyzing variances, identifying trends, and highlighting financial risks and opportunities to project leadership and senior management. Conduct deep‑drive analyses into project cost structures to ensure accuracy and identify areas for cost optimization. Partner actively with Proposal Managers during the pre‑contract phase. Critically review tender costings, validate assumptions, and assess the financial implications of commercial terms and contract conditions before offer submission.

Operational Controllership: Drive the daily project controlling mechanism, including validating vendor invoices against project milestones, managing delivery documentation, and ensuring timely customer billing. Proactively manage working capital by driving debt collection efforts and optimizing billing schedules. Administer commercial instruments, including arranging necessary insurance policies, performance bonds, and bank documents.

Forecasting & Month‑End: Drive the project month‑end closing process, ensuring accurate revenue recognition (e.g., Percentage of Completion method) and appropriate cost accruals in compliance with accounting standards. Develop robust and realistic monthly forecasts for revenue, gross margin, and cash flow, minimizing surprises.

Stakeholder Management & Compliance: Act as a trusted business partner to Project Managers and engineering teams, challenging assumptions and providing financial data to support operational decision‑making. Ensure project compliance with internal work instructions, financial processes, and delegation of authority guidelines. Manage commercial aspects of logistics, including inward/outward shipment documentation and Letter of Credit (L/C) compliance where necessary.

Requirements: Degree in Accountancy, Finance, Business Administration, or a related commercial discipline. For Project Controller: Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in project accounting or commercial finance. For Senior Project Controller: Minimum 6+ years of progressive experience, preferably within engineering, construction, manufacturing, or similar project‑based industries. Prior hands‑on experience with Microsoft Business Central (Navision) system is highly preferred.

Technical Skills & Knowledge: Strong grasp of project accounting principles (e.g., revenue recognition standards, WIP analysis, project costing methods). Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel (v‑lookups, pivot tables, managing large datasets). Strong analytical mindset with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights. Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced environment. Possession of strong team spirit combined with the ability to work independently. Assertive communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with both finance and non‑finance stakeholders across all levels.