At a Glance
- Tasks: Create project-level financial reporting and partner with project managers to drive decisions.
- Company: Join a growing international renewable energy business focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for travel and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Build something impactful from scratch and shape the future of project finance.
- Qualifications: Experience in project accounting and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 66000 £ per year.
Are you a project accountant or commercial finance professional who likes building things from scratch? Do you thrive working shoulder to shoulder with project managers, turning delivery into numbers - and numbers into decisions? We Do Group are hiring a Project Accountant for a growing, international renewable energy business. This is a genuine build role - there's no project-level reporting in place today, so you'll create it. You'll design and stand up project P&Ls, work directly with project managers as their finance partner, and feed real margin data back into how the business bids for work. It sits at the confluence of finance, operational delivery and the bid team. The project managers are strong at getting the job done but haven't traditionally owned the financial side, so as much of this role is business partnering and mentoring as it is technical accounting. The work itself is simple, practical project accounting - the value is in building it well and making it stick. If you like taking a blank page and building something useful, this is that role.
WISH LIST
- Experience building project-level reporting from scratch - project P&Ls, cost tracking, forecast to completion - not just running what already exists
- A natural business partner who can win the trust of operational project teams and talk money in a way that lands with non-finance people
- Comfortable in a project-based environment (construction, infrastructure, engineering or similar) and happy creating structure where none exists
THE ROLE
- Design and build a project-level reporting framework from the ground up - cost codes, budget vs actual, and forecast to completion
- Produce monthly project P&Ls for each work scope, with clear narrative alongside the numbers
- Configure the accounting system to pull reliable, repeatable project-level reporting
- Retrospectively tag historic transactions to project codes to build an accurate baseline
- Monitor project cost performance, flagging variances and risks early enough for management action
- Own project-level cost and revenue recognition, working with the Group FC so group accounts are fully supported
- Business partner with project managers across regions - translating delivery into financial position, and financial data back into operational insight
- Challenge and support project managers on resourcing, cost commitments and scope changes with clear analysis
- Support the bid team with robust cost models and pricing assumptions, bringing rigour and consistency to tenders
- Build a feedback loop between project actuals and bid assumptions so pricing sharpens over time
- Review bid financials before submission, pressure-testing margin assumptions
- Document processes and build simple tools that help non-finance colleagues understand and engage with project finances
YOUR PROFILE
- Strong cost / Project accounting experience - a qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CA) is welcome but not essential; qualified-by-experience and QS backgrounds will be considered
- Effective communicator - written and verbal, credible with senior operational and project leaders
- Good working knowledge of MS Excel, confident with large datasets and building models
- A self-starter who is comfortable with ambiguity and building from a blank page
- Familiar with project-based or time-and-materials environments; construction-adjacent experience an advantage
SALARY & BENEFITS
- Discretionary bonus (group performance scheme in development)
- 4 days in the office / 1 day from home, with some flexibility
- Occasional travel to a second regional office (around an hour away) to meet project teams
Senior Cost Accountant in Chester employer: We Do Group
We Do Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within the education sector. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities and a supportive environment that values organisational change, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in HR transformation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Cost Accountant in Chester
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like We Do Group. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from We Do Group.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like We Do Group. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Cost Accountant in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in We Do Group and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show We Do Group how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at We Do Group
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with We Do Group.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with We Do Group's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
