Finance Manager in Newcastle upon Tyne

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious finance professional with experience of supporting high-profile infrastructure projects. Reporting to the Senior Finance Manager, you will take a leading role in providing financial support to a portfolio of projects within the Northumbrian Water Framework, recently awarded to Costain. The role will require regular communication with key stakeholders in the Framework and is a real opportunity for a driven individual to progress their career. We are keen to identify an individual who is keen to learn, develop and advance their career with a leading construction company.

Key Accountabilities

• You will be responsible for the timely processing of financial transactions, maintaining accurate financial records, and producing high-quality cost and performance reports.
• This role requires a flexible, proactive approach and the ability to work confidently across multiple IT and finance systems.
• Working closely with the Senior Finance Manager and key stakeholders across the framework, you will support the day-to-day delivery of finance activities and contribute to the successful financial management of the overall scheme.
• Project accounting across a diverse portfolio, ensuring accuracy and integrity of financial and cost data.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date timesheet data, investigating and resolving variances.
• Acting as a key member of the finance function, highlighting risks, issues and opportunities.
• Driving efficiency and continuous improvement in financial and operational processes.

Responsibilities

• Staff Reporting, Reconciliation & Forecasting
• Understand and manage staff charging processes and timesheet systems.
• Reconcile monthly staff costs and analyse cost versus value achieved.
• Identify margin generated by individuals to support Route to Margin calculations.
• Support the Commercial Team with staff cost forecasting for the Contract Leaders Report.
• Assist with the production of Applications for Payment (AfP).
• Drive improvements in reporting and forecasting processes.
• Financial Control
• Ensure financial controls operate in line with project and group timetables.
• Ensure all costs are captured accurately, including accruals for missing costs.
• Prepare Monthly Financial Reports as part of the month-end process.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations.
• Maintain an asset register, including depreciation journals and reconciliations.
• Support contract teams with purchase orders, goods receipting, and finance queries.
• Contribute to achieving commercial objectives and value for money.
• Support client audits, minimising disallowed costs and maximising cash flow.
• Assist with external (PwC) and internal audit requirements.
• Month-End Reporting
• Support the Senior Finance Manager in delivering all monthly and month-end reporting requirements.
• Prepare and post journals, accruals, and prepayments in line with accounting policies.
• Review and challenge financial transactions to ensure accuracy of revenues and costs.
• Support project teams in understanding financial performance.
• Ensure compliance with Costain financial procedures and The Costain Way.
• Cash Management
• Prepare and process sales invoices.
• Ensure accurate posting of invoices and cash entries.
• Support timely collection of cash.
• Staff Costs & Head Office Recharges
• Assist with recording and recharging staff and overhead costs, including IT, vehicles, mobile phones, professional services, and training.
• Quality, Health & Safety & Environment (QHSE)
• Comply with all company QHSE procedures at all times.

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar finance or project accounting role.
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency on other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience working with finance and timesheet systems.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Ideally qualified or working towards accounting qualifications.
• Desirable experience with NEC contracts and commercial procedures.

Working Arrangements

Minimum 3 days per week working from the Framework Office in Newcastle or being on site as required.

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.