At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage project finances and provide key financial insights for a major rail programme.
- Company: Join a leading engineering firm working on the UK's flagship rail infrastructure project.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, training opportunities, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a collaborative finance environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a high-performing team on a nationally significant engineering project.
- Qualifications: Degree in Finance or Accounting and 2-5 years of relevant experience.
We're recruiting for a Project Accountant to join a flagship rail infrastructure programme delivering the next generation of Piccadilly Line trains as part of the Deep Tube Upgrade Programme (DTUP), on a 14 month fixed term contract. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a high-performing finance team supporting one of the UK's most significant engineering projects. You'll work closely with project managers, commercial teams and finance colleagues, providing accurate financial information that drives key business decisions and supports the successful delivery of a complex, multi-million-pound programme. If you're a proactive, commercially aware finance professional who enjoys working in a project environment, we'd love to hear from you.
The Role
As Project Accountant, you'll take ownership of key financial activities across the project lifecycle, ensuring accurate reporting, forecasting and financial control. Your responsibilities will include:
- Managing month-end financial close activities
- Preparing and posting journals within SAP
- Producing financial reports, including Orders on Hand and DASH reporting
- Analysing month-end financial performance and project results
- Supporting project forecasting and estimate-at-completion (EAC) activities
- Monitoring project costs and maintaining strong financial control
- Managing purchase orders and tracking project expenditure
- Completing balance sheet reconciliations and ensuring financial compliance
- Supporting revenue recognition and contract accounting activities
- Assisting with project cash flow forecasting and financial planning
- Identifying project risks and supporting financial risk management
- Working collaboratively with Project Managers and Commercial teams to improve financial performance and reporting processes
About You
We're looking for a finance professional with strong analytical skills and experience supporting complex projects.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Degree in Finance, Accounting or a related discipline
- Part-qualified accountant (or equivalent experience)
- Approximately 2-5 years' accounting or finance experience
- Experience within a project accounting or project finance environment
- Strong understanding of month-end accounting and financial reporting
- SAP experience
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including working with large datasets
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and take ownership
Desirable
- Power BI experience
- Experience within engineering, manufacturing, construction, infrastructure or other project-based industries
What We're Looking For
This role is centred around project accounting within a complex, high-value programme environment. To be successful, candidates should be able to demonstrate tangible experience managing project finances and contributing to commercial decision-making. When applying, your CV should clearly evidence:
- The size and complexity of projects or project portfolios you've supported
- The financial value or budgets you have managed or reported on
- Quantifiable achievements and the impact your work has had on project or business performance
Candidates with experience across the full project lifecycle will be particularly well suited. We are especially interested in individuals who can demonstrate hands-on experience with:
- Estimate at Completion (EAC) preparation and management
- Project cost control and financial performance monitoring
- Revenue recognition
- Contract accounting
- Project financial risk management
- Cash flow forecasting
These areas will form a key part of the interview process, so applicants should be prepared to discuss specific examples that demonstrate their direct involvement and the outcomes they achieved.
Excel Assessment
Strong Excel skills are essential for this position. As part of the application process, candidates are required to complete three Excel pre-screening questions. Responses should be submitted on a coversheet and included ahead of the CV. These questions are designed to assess practical Excel knowledge relevant to the Project Accountant role and will be reviewed before candidates progress to interview.
What's on Offer
- Opportunity to work on one of the UK's largest rail infrastructure programmes
- Hybrid working (typically three days in the office)
- Collaborative and supportive finance team
- Exposure to complex project accounting within a global engineering business
- Training on internal systems and processes
- Fixed-term opportunity through to September 2027 with genuine responsibility from day one
If you're looking to develop your career in project finance while working on a nationally significant programme, we'd love to hear from you.
Project Accountant employer: Mane Contract Services
Mane Contract Services is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Northern Ireland where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional development, with opportunities to enhance their skills in lean manufacturing and heavy equipment engineering. The company fosters a supportive culture that values teamwork and encourages employees to contribute to meaningful projects that drive efficiency and excellence in manufacturing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Accountant
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Mane Contract Services.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Mane Contract Services might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Project Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Mane Contract Services will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Mane Contract Services. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Mane Contract Services confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mane Contract Services
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Mane Contract Services.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Mane Contract Services that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
