Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.
Purpose of the role
We have a great opportunity for a Management Accountant to join the Area 9 team based at our Bescot office, WS1 4NL, this is an excellent opportunity to join a dynamic Traffic Management business unit, supporting Area 9 operations. Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Management Accountant will play a key role in delivering accurate and timely financial information while partnering closely with operational and commercial teams across traffic management contracts.
Main Responsibilities
As a Management Accountant, you will take ownership of the production of monthly management accounts, including detailed Profit & Loss reporting, variance analysis, and clear, insightful commentary to support decision-making. You will ensure all costs are accurately captured and allocated across contracts, maintaining strict adherence to company governance and financial protocols. Working in a contract-driven environment, you will liaise regularly with commercial managers to monitor performance, manage risks, and provide visibility of key financial issues impacting traffic management operations. You will also be responsible for managing working capital reporting, including debt and work in progress, ensuring that invoicing is completed promptly and purchase ledger activities are handled efficiently. Your input will be essential in the preparation of budgets, covering labour, plant and equipment, and overheads, as well as supporting the wider budget-setting process for the business unit. Beyond reporting, you will actively contribute to improving finance systems and processes, helping to drive efficiencies and strengthen financial controls. Building strong relationships across the business will be key, as you promote best practice and add value through meaningful financial insight tailored to the operational realities of traffic management contracts.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be nearly or fully qualified (such as CIMA or AAT), and bring at least five years of relevant experience within a equivalent experience within a construction, contracting, or infrastructure environment, with a strong emphasis on data analysis and financial insight. You will be highly analytical, comfortable working with large datasets, and able to interpret complex financial information to identify trends, risks, and opportunities that support operational decision-making. Strong Excel skills will be essential, alongside the ability to translate data into clear, actionable recommendations for both finance and non-finance stakeholders. A proactive, detail-oriented approach, combined with strong commercial awareness and problem-solving ability, will enable you to thrive in this role.
Package Description
Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:
* A salary between £45,000 and £52,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications)
* Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
* Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
* 25 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays
* Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
* Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
* Family-Friendly Benefits, including Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay
* Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
* Ongoing personal / professional development
* Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal
At Colas, our culture is guided by four core values: Respect, Commitment, Pioneering, and Sharing. These values shape how we work, collaborate, and grow together. We believe that respect is the foundation of every relationship. By treating others as we wish to be treated, we foster fairness, transparency, and inclusion within our teams and with our clients, communities, and partners. Commitment means dedicating ourselves fully to everything we do. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. With a pioneering spirit, we prioritise bold innovation over blind ambition. We welcome new ideas, invest in our people, and work to deliver sustainable infrastructure solutions that shape the future. Through sharing, we build trust and solidarity, encouraging collaboration and growth at all levels of the business.
Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice.
Note to Recruitment Agencies
In line with our Company Policy, Colas Ltd has a preference for direct hiring and we will reach out to our PSL (Preferred Suppliers List) agencies if the role is eligible for release. We do not accept speculative CVs from agencies. If a speculative CV is sent, no fee will be applicable.