Assistant Management Accountant

Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.

Purpose of the role

We have an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Management Accountant to join the team based at our Guilden Sutton depot, CH3 7EX. You will support the Senior Finance Manager in the accurate and timely production of monthly management accounts, while providing valuable financial support to the Commercial and Operational teams. You will play an important role in ensuring financial information is accurate, risks and opportunities are identified early, and the business has the insight it needs to make informed commercial decisions. The role will involve a strong focus on financial reporting, analysis and control, alongside working closely with Commercial Managers to ensure Work in Progress (WIP), valuations, accruals, contract costs and subcontractor payments are accurately recorded and reflected within the accounts. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to improving finance processes and reporting, with genuine progression towards a Management Accountant position for the right candidate.

Main Responsibilities

• Support the month-end close process, including the preparation of journals, reconciliations, management accounts, P&L reporting and variance analysis.
• Provide clear and meaningful financial commentary, investigating variances and challenging unusual transactions where appropriate.
• Work closely with Commercial Managers and operational teams to ensure WIP is accurately captured and reported, valuations are correctly reflected, and subcontractor costs and payments are properly managed and accounted for.
• Support the review and processing of subcontract payments, ensuring costs are accurately recorded and allocated in line with company policy and financial controls.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities, maintain strong financial governance and compliance with Group policies, and identify financial risks and opportunities.
• Build strong relationships across Finance, Commercial and Operational teams, providing proactive financial support and helping to improve financial processes and reporting.
• Produce and continually improve Excel-based reporting using tools such as PivotTables, XLOOKUP and SUMIFS, as well as supporting the business with accurate financial analysis and reporting that enables effective decision-making.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have at least 3-5 years in a relevant finance or accounting experience who has experience supporting month-end processes and management accounting. Experience of WIP, contract accounting and handling subcontractor payments is particularly important for this role, ideally within a construction, contracting, infrastructure or project-based environment. You will ideally be AAT qualified or studying towards CIMA or ACCA, although relevant experience will also be considered. Strong Microsoft Excel skills are essential, including experience using PivotTables, XLOOKUP, SUMIFS and data analysis tools. Experience using JD Edwards or a similar ERP system would also be advantageous. You will be analytical, highly organised and detail-focused, with the confidence to investigate financial variances, identify issues and use your own initiative. Strong communication and business partnering skills are essential, as you will be working closely with Commercial Managers and operational stakeholders. You should be comfortable working independently, managing your workload and escalating issues promptly when required.

Success in this role will mean delivering accurate and timely month-end reporting, providing trusted financial support to Commercial Managers, ensuring WIP and subcontractor costs are accurately managed, identifying and resolving financial issues early, and continually improving finance processes and reporting.

Package Description

Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:

• A salary between £35,000 and £40,000 (dependent on experience)
• Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
• Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
• 25 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays
• Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
• Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
• Family-Friendly Benefits, including Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
• Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
• Ongoing personal / professional development
• Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal

At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect, Commitment, Pioneering, and Sharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe that respect is the foundation of every relationship. By treating others as we wish to be treated, we foster fairness, transparency, and inclusion within our teams and with our clients, communities, and partners. Commitment means dedicating ourselves fully to everything we do. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With a pioneering spirit, we prioritise bold innovation over blind ambition. We welcome new ideas, invest in our people, and work to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions that shape the future. Through sharing, we build trust and solidarity, encouraging collaboration and growth at all levels of the business. Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice.