Project Accountant in Sherborne

Project Accountant

Location: Sherborne (Hybrid Working Available Following Probation)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30 am – 5.15 pm
Salary: c£50,000 negotiable and dependent on experience

Hawk 3 Talent Solutions are delighted to be recruiting on behalf of a highly professional organisation seeking a Project Accountant & Project Lead.

This is a varied opportunity for a qualified accountant who combines strong accounting expertise with proven project management and process improvement experience.

Working across finance, reporting, compliance and wider business improvement initiatives, you’ll take ownership of projects from initial scoping and planning through to implementation and delivery. You’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, external providers and colleagues across the organisation to ensure projects are delivered effectively and improvements are successfully embedded.

The organisation is continuing to explore how technology, automation and AI can support its operations, so an understanding of AI and its practical business applications would be beneficial. However, this is not a technical or AI specialist position – the emphasis is firmly on project delivery, finance and continuous improvement.

This role also offers an excellent career path with the opportunity to progress into a Senior Management position.

The Role

Working closely with senior finance professionals, you’ll support a broad portfolio of accounting, reporting and compliance activities while taking ownership of a range of business improvement and finance-related projects.

You’ll be responsible for coordinating projects, bringing together the right stakeholders, managing timescales and priorities, identifying opportunities for improvement and ensuring agreed changes are successfully implemented.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys combining hands-on accounting responsibilities with project management, problem solving and business improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management & Business Improvement

• Lead and coordinate projects across finance, reporting, compliance and wider business operations.
• Manage projects from initial scoping and planning through to implementation and review.
• Develop clear project plans, objectives, timescales and deliverables.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders, external providers and other project contributors.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks and ensure actions remain on track.
• Review existing processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Support the implementation of new systems, processes and ways of working.
• Coordinate testing, implementation and user adoption of new solutions.
• Provide training and support to colleagues following the introduction of new processes or systems.
• Maintain an awareness of developments in technology, automation and AI and understand where these could practically support the organisation.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement across the business.

Financial Reporting

Support the delivery of high-quality financial and wealth reporting.

Review reporting information before submission.

Prepare loan schedules, asset statements and supporting documentation.

Monitor loan and mortgage repayment schedules.

Assist with investment reporting, reconciliations and asset revaluations.

Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of investment reporting systems and databases.

Company Secretarial & Compliance

Maintain statutory records and corporate registers.

Prepare and submit Companies House filings and other regulatory returns.

Ensure ongoing compliance with corporate governance requirements.

Finance Support

Support the preparation and review of:

• Management accounts
• VAT returns
• Year-end financial statements
• Audit files

Assist with accounting for pension schemes and property investment entities.

Ensure financial reporting complies with relevant tax and governance obligations.

About You

We’re particularly interested in someone who combines a strong finance background with the ability to take ownership of projects and drive them through to completion.

You’ll ideally have:

• Qualified Accountant status (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• A minimum of three years’ relevant finance experience.
• Strong project management or project delivery experience.
• Experience managing projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Experience of process improvement, business change or finance transformation.
• The ability to take a project from initial concept through planning, implementation and completion.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Advanced Microsoft 365 skills.
• An understanding of AI, automation and emerging technologies and how they may be applied within a business environment – technical AI expertise is not required.
• High levels of integrity and discretion when handling confidential information.
• Strong analytical skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.

What’s On Offer?

This is an outstanding opportunity to join a supportive organisation that genuinely invests in its people.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary with annual salary and bonus reviews.
• 10% employer pension contribution.
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Individual BUPA healthcare.
• Life assurance (4x salary).
• Payment of professional membership fees.
• Ongoing CPD and career development.
• Hybrid working following successful probation.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Electric vehicle benefit scheme.
• Free onsite parking.