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- Tasks: Join us as a Cost Accountant/Financial Analyst, providing financial insights and supporting strategic decisions.
- Company: Hays is a leading recruitment agency, connecting talent with top companies worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, competitive day rates, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, enhance your skills, and make a real impact in the manufacturing sector.
- Qualifications: You need an accounting qualification or significant experience in management accounting, especially in manufacturing.
- Other info: This is a 6-month contract role with a focus on financial performance and operational excellence.
09:00-17:30 Hybrid work 6-month contract Day rate: £500 - £600
Essential: extensive experience working in a manufacturing environment, working with SAP and strong Excel skills (power query, macro writing).
Job Purpose: The Financial Analyst - Global Operations provides financial insight to the division's leadership, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent metrics for manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, and quality activities. The role involves regular communication of financial performance and KPIs, supporting strategic input, identifying business risks, and proposing mitigating actions.
Key Duties:
- Financial Planning: Report monthly finance-related Operations metrics. Consolidate and report monthly metrics. Develop and maintain reporting tools for operations. Prepare finance sections of board reports. Support financial planning processes. Enhance consistency and automation of Operations/Finance processes. Prepare presentations for senior management.
- Cost Control: Implement robust cost-control measures. Harmonise SAP standard costing structures. Track target benefits and understand monthly variances. Identify and query anomalous costs and budget variances. Maintain top global standards for assessment.
- Inventory / Cost Roll: Utilise ERP systems to highlight inventory movements. Improve inventory transparency and decision-making. Ensure SAP compliance and adherence to inventory policy. Maintain standard costs across the network. Administer annual cost roll process and impact analysis.
- Financial Stewardship: Ensure adequate financial controls and compliance. Adhere to financial policies and procedures. Maintain clear communication with stakeholders. Drive efficiencies and continuous improvement. Complete ad-hoc projects and reporting enhancements. Support key finance initiatives. Develop strong relationships with operations and finance teams. Provide focused support to plants during challenges or changes.
- Business Strategy Support: Provide quality navigation, forecasting, and business planning metrics for insightful decision-making.
Technical Knowledge and Skills:
- Recognised accounting qualification or significant experience in operations-focused management accounting.
- Professionally qualified or part-qualified (ACCA, ACMA), degree level education.
- Extensive experience in manufacturing environments with SAP.
- Strong technical skills in Excel, Power Query, and macro writing.
- Experience in variance analysis and large dataset manipulation.
- Comfortable working with different cultures.
Competencies and Abilities:
- Persistent pursuit of effective results.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Effective engagement and collaboration with others.
- Building effective networks and understanding customer needs.
- Independent research and solution identification.
- Support for change and continuous improvement.
- Adaptability to emerging technology.
- Strong documentation and presentation skills.
- Collaboration with cross-functional, multicultural teams.
Planning and Decision-Making: Execute business strategy with respect to Operations. Autonomous decision-making within DoA structure. Initiative-driven work with minimal guidance.
Cost Accountant/Financial Analysis employer: Hays Accountancy and Finance
Contact Detail:
Hays Accountancy and Finance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cost Accountant/Financial Analysis
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with SAP and its functionalities, especially in a manufacturing context. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in SAP during interviews can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your Excel skills, particularly in Power Query and macro writing. Consider creating a portfolio of examples showcasing your ability to manipulate large datasets and automate processes, as this will highlight your technical expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the manufacturing finance sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who may provide insights or referrals for the role you're interested in.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience with financial planning and cost control measures in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've implemented successful strategies in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability to contribute effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Cost Accountant/Financial Analysis
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in manufacturing environments, particularly with SAP and Excel. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills in financial analysis and reporting.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that addresses the key duties mentioned in the job description. Emphasise your ability to implement cost-control measures and your experience with financial planning processes.
Showcase Technical Skills: Clearly outline your technical skills in Excel, Power Query, and macro writing in both your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've used these skills in previous roles to enhance financial reporting or decision-making.
Highlight Soft Skills: In addition to technical expertise, mention your competencies such as collaboration, adaptability, and effective communication. These are crucial for working with cross-functional teams and engaging with stakeholders.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Accountancy and Finance
✨Showcase Your SAP Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience with SAP during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you utilised SAP for financial reporting or cost control, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Excel Skills
Since strong Excel skills are essential, be ready to talk about your proficiency in Power Query and macro writing. You might even want to prepare examples of how you've used these skills to analyse large datasets or automate processes.
✨Prepare for Financial Metrics Discussion
Familiarise yourself with key financial metrics relevant to manufacturing environments. Be prepared to discuss how you have reported on these metrics in the past and how they can impact decision-making.
✨Emphasise Communication Skills
Effective communication is vital for this role. Think of examples where you've successfully communicated financial insights to non-financial stakeholders, and be ready to share how you build relationships across teams.
