At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage financial reporting, cost management, and support project teams for business growth.
- Company: Join Costain, a leader in smart infrastructure solutions across the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work in a dynamic team and grow your finance career.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on projects that improve lives and drive innovation.
- Qualifications: Degree qualified or part qualified accountant with strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Finance Manager will work closely with the Head of Finance Manager. The role will support the Project and Commercial Management teams to enable continued growth of the business providing financial insight, strong operational control, timely reporting, and robust management of accounts receivable and payable for the sector. This role will require working 3 days in our Manchester office.
Responsibilities
- Manage the month end close and reporting cycle.
- Ownership of all aspects of cost management projects including the balance sheet accruals and prepayments, monthly forecasting, staff cost recoveries.
- Support financial and management reporting through CLR reports (Contract Leaders Report).
- Project Cash Flow forecast and preparation.
- Management of the PBA Bank account, payments and reconciliations.
- Develop and maintain strong team relationships at all levels of the business, including working collaboratively with our stakeholders.
- Develop strong working relationships with the commercial team.
- Staff Calculator ownership, challenge charges and time charged to the project as well as staff allocation of time across projects.
- Cost analysis, understanding variances to forecasts and Budgets.
- Financial Controls.
- Investigate & respond to queries from Group Finance team as required.
- Compliance reviews of financial controls, in line with company guidelines, ensuring that all applicable requirements can be always met.
- Monitor best practice of PO, GRNI and invoice matching processes and manage the monthly Purchase Card reconciliation and journal reallocations.
- Monitoring of all central recharges, challenging and reconciling.
- Preparing and reviewing the balance sheet reconciliations.
- Effective management of accounts receivables and payables including liaising with clients for timely receipt of cash payments.
- Management and administration of the AMS IT cost for staff to ensure accuracy.
- Administration of staff agency suppliers through the Engage platform.
- Provide financial support, insight and validity for Commercial requirements.
- Provide support for supplying the correct and appropriate information to Internal, External and Client Auditors.
- Other ad hoc duties to support project.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
Essential
- Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and an ethical approach to data including respecting the confidential nature of information and the associated decision making.
- Excellent communication skills, with confidence to present numbers to senior stakeholders.
- Displays strong commercial awareness, vigilant attention to the changing business environment and emerging opportunities and risks.
- Experience of management reporting and variance analysis.
- Experience collaborating with stakeholders and communicating financial insights.
- Budgeting and forecasting experience.
- Ability to think strategically, challenge current processes and introduce improvements.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel, experience with Microsoft Power BI reporting.
- Experience of working with Oracle Enterprise One, or similar ERP system desirable.
- Hands on approach to Operational Finance.
- Demonstrate ability to meet reporting deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively in a virtual team environment and help others to do so.
Desirable
- Experience of working with Oracle Enterprise One, or similar ERP system desirable.
- Experience of working with Complex Projects.
- Knowledge of Project Bank Accounts.
- Knowledge of IFRS15.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree qualified or at least Part Qualified Accountant working towards being qualified.
Desirable
- Project Accounting experience.
- Newly Qualified Accountant.
About Us
Costain helps to improve people's lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK's energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK's leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery.
Our culture and values underpin everything we do. Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase. We do share individual feedback following an interview. A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that disclose they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
Finance Manager in Manchester employer: Costain
Costain is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering a collaborative work culture where finance professionals can thrive. Located in Manchester, the role of Finance Manager provides opportunities to engage with senior stakeholders and contribute to impactful projects within the UK's energy, water, transportation, and defence sectors. With a commitment to innovation and a focus on smart infrastructure solutions, Costain fosters an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and encourages continuous learning.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common finance manager questions. Think about how you can showcase your analytical skills and experience with budgeting and forecasting. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are keen on joining us. Plus, it shows you're serious about the opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your analytical skills, experience with budgeting and forecasting, and any relevant software knowledge like Microsoft Excel or Oracle. We want to see how your background fits with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your experience aligns with our needs. Don't forget to mention your ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders – that's a biggie for us!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since you'll be presenting numbers to senior stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and maybe even include an example of a time you successfully communicated complex financial information.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Costain
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to be comfortable discussing financial data. Brush up on key metrics and reports like the CLR and cash flow forecasts. Be ready to explain how you've used these in past roles to drive decisions.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Highlight your strong analytical skills during the interview. Prepare examples of how you've tackled cost management projects or conducted variance analysis. This will demonstrate your attention to detail and strategic thinking.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Since the role involves collaboration with various teams, think of ways to illustrate your experience in building relationships. Share specific instances where your communication skills helped bridge gaps between finance and commercial teams.
✨Be Ready for Compliance Questions
Expect questions about financial controls and compliance. Familiarise yourself with IFRS15 and other relevant regulations. Showing that you understand the importance of compliance will set you apart as a candidate who values ethical practices.
