Project Accountant in Luton

We have a great opportunity for a Project Accountant to provide financial leadership across a variety of projects within our Corporate Division. The Project Accountant would work directly for the VP Financial Control & Group Reporting and provide strategic planning, financial control, advice and support to the corporate functional leads and their integrated project teams on investment projects.

This would involve owning and maintaining the financial plan of all projects demands, interdependencies, ensuring that the efficiencies are measured and managed across the business (multiyear £120m+). This role would manage and be responsible for all financial and project reporting requirements associated with Investment projects, monitoring and appraisals, providing accurate, timely and relevant management information to support the corporate Division.

Support the development, maintaining of the charging operating model as well as providing advice and guidance. The Financial Controller/Project Accountant would also have responsibility for ensuring compliance with internal and external financial Policies and currently adopted accounting standards. As an integral part of the functional team, this role is a business accounting role and therefore financial leadership is crucial.

What you will do as a Project Accountant:

• Responsibility for the delivery of high quality management information and financial reporting to functional leads & VP Finance at monthly Finance / Quarterly Business Reviews.
• Responsible for forecasts, risks & opportunities and business case submission information to be presented to VP Finance and CFO.
• Full accountability for the financial input to the business plan for project delivery activity.
• Provision of the strategic Plan, annual budget and growth options for investment projects prior to VP Finance and CFO review. This includes financial scenario planning & sensitivity analysis.
• Influence and provide objective challenge to functional leads and project teams with the aim to control cost & deliver Investment benefits in line with agreed business cases.
• Objectively review the business cases / Capital / Opex associated with investment requests for strategic opportunities.
• Support the Finance transformation team with project delivery activity.
• Provide robust challenge to senior leadership and project teams, also give recommendations and feedback as required.
• Continual process improvements implemented to make more efficient and effective use of resources.
• Lead the financial education of non-finance staff operating within each Functional area, to ensure an appropriate level of financial awareness and that leads sound financial decision-making.
• Responsibility for effective business governance & compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards, Leonardo Directives and Leonardo Ltd Finance Policies Manual.

What we'll need from you:

• Fully qualified accountant (part qualified may be considered).
• Excellent interpersonal & strong communication skills, with a challenging mind-set and is able to build good partnerships across multi disciplined teams.
• Ideally have experience in project / contract accounting.
• Be proficient in MS Excel and preferably experience in SAP.
• Proactive in approach.
• Ability to re-prioritise to meet key deadlines.
• Focus on high quality, accurate output and support.
• You will be an enthusiastic individual, eager to do the job and excited about the projects / contracts you will be working with.

There will be the ability for hybrid working, involving some working from home dependent upon the requirements of the functional team and the integrated project teams that are being supported by this role.

Security Clearance: You must be eligible for full security clearance.

Life at Leonardo:

• With a company funded benefits package, a commitment to learning and development, and a flexible approach to working hours focused on the needs of both our employees and customers, a career with Leonardo has never offered as many opportunities or been more accessible to as many people.
• Flexible Working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options.
• Company funded flexible benefits: Access to private healthcare, dental schemes, Workplace ISA, Go Green Car Scheme, technology and lifestyle options (£500 annual allowance).
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, option to buy/sell leave and to accrue up to 12 additional flexi leave days per year.
• Pension: Award winning pension scheme (up to 15% employer contribution).
• Wellbeing: Employee Assistance Programme with access to free mental health support, financial wellbeing support and network groups to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to diversity & inclusion.
• Lifestyle: Discounted Gym membership, Cycle to work scheme.
• Training: Free access to more than 4000 online courses via Coursera and Linkedin Learning.
• Referral Incentive: You can earn a reward for successfully referring a friend or family member.
• Bonus: Scheme in place for all employees at management level and below.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company and one of the key players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. Headquartered in Italy, Leonardo has over 45,000 employees, of which 8,000 are based at 8 sites throughout the UK.

At Leonardo UK, we believe that a diverse and inclusive work environment unlocks our people's full potential and drives innovation and creativity. We work hard to offer a welcoming, accessible and inclusive place to work for all of our people, creating a culture where everyone can thrive, feel safe and have a sense of belonging and connection.

Primary Location: GB - Luton - Cap. Green 300

Additional Locations: GB - Basildon, GB - Bristol Building, GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid