Financial Accountant - Contractor in Wood Street Village

Key Purpose of Job

This role focuses on (re)designing financial accounting processes and ensuring they are accurately translated and embedded within SSTL's new SAP S4HANA ERP system. You will represent financial accounting on the project – initially as part of the transition from SAP B1 to S4HANA and subsequently as support to the end users. This role sits inside IR35.

Reports To

ERP Transformation Lead - Finance

Key Tasks

• The role will be part of the S4HANA implementation team, working alongside the project manager, technical product owner and a group of implementation leads from across the business. You will report into the Finance System Implementation Lead.
• Supporting the design, testing and data migration of financial accounting modules within the S4HANA ecosystem, such as general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash book, fixed assets, overhead recoveries and others.
• Reviewing financial accounting processes to ensure they are robust, efficient and fit for purpose.
• Working closely with the system integrator to resolve complex design requirements such as overhead recovery, ensuring alignment with business strategy and system capabilities.
• Collaborating with the finance implementation lead, technical product owner and wider project team to ensure seamless integration of financial workflows.
• Producing clear training materials and deliver training sessions to end users.
• Supporting Hypercare activities immediately after Go-Live, helping users troubleshoot and stabilise new processes.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualified with strong technical financial accounting knowledge (ACCA preferred).
• Recent experience working with S4HANA as an end user in financial accounting (S4HANA Public Cloud preferred).
• Recent experience working in a project-based company.
• Proficient with Microsoft tools (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.).

Desirable Skills

• Solution‐orientated approach with the ability to navigate complexity.
• Strong communication and stakeholder‐management skills.
• Experience in data analysis, process automation and system troubleshooting.
• Comfortable working in a fast‐paced and dynamic environment.
• Experience in implementing an ERP system.
• Experience with SAP B1.

Working Arrangement

Rolling 3-month contract, aligned to the duration of the S4HANA implementation project. Based in Guildford, 37.5 hours per week. Initially office-based with potential to move to hybrid working. Excellent transport links including a shuttle bus from Guildford station and close proximity to the A3.

Role Benefits

• SSTL designs and builds bespoke satellites for commercial, defence and institutional customers, offering a unique and exciting engineering environment.
• Beautiful location on the Surrey Research Park, surrounded by lakes and woodland.
• Supportive and collaborative team culture, with colleagues keen to help and share knowledge.
• Broad exposure and the opportunity to connect data and processes across multiple operational areas.
• High-impact role, shaping the organisation's future financial systems and ways of working.