Overview
We are seeking a commercially focused and proactive Project Accountant to support the financial delivery of a major, high-profile project over the next 12 months. This role combines hands-on project accounting with business partnering, working closely with non-financial stakeholders to drive financial performance and ensure robust governance. Working closely with Project Partners / Project Directors / Project Managers, the Major Projects Finance Manager will provide value-add support, ensuring adherence to policies and procedures and presenting reports and performance to the Strategic Projects Leadership team. You will take ownership of the project’s P&L, support invoicing and cash flow processes, and act as a key financial contact across the project team. The role requires strong analytical skills, excellent communication, and the ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders. The position requires extensive Project Accounting experience along with broad financial and systems knowledge. The role will be responsible for governance, early warning reporting, ensuring risks and opportunities are captured and EAC are up to date. A commercial understanding of how projects operate, and the ability to act as a business partner to project teams is key.
Key Responsibilities
* Project Financial Management & Governance
* Full P&L ownership for the major project, including forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting.
* Prepare and present monthly project reporting packs with commentary on risks, opportunities, and performance.
* Attend and contribute to project board and governance meetings, providing financial insight and challenge.
* Support the preparation and review of Estimates at Completion (EAC) and ensure changes are tracked and explained.
* Maintain accurate balance sheet reconciliations and project provisions.
Cash Flow, Invoicing & Treasury
* Collaborate with the Cash and Treasury Manager to maintain accurate cash flow forecasts and monitor project-related payments.
* Track and manage subconsultant costs, accruals, and payment schedules.
* Support the Finance Assistant in raising timely and accurate invoices, ensuring alignment with project milestones and client requirements.
* Liaise with our Middle East finance team to monitor and support efficient billing and collections.
Business Partnering & Collaboration
* Act as a financial partner to Project Directors, Project Leaders, and the wider finance and operations teams.
* Review and challenge project financial risks and opportunities.
* Provide financial analysis and KPIs at monthly board meetings to drive value-add decision support.
* Ensure consistent application of internal policies and accounting standards across the project.
* Assist with the production of management accounts, annual budgets, and forecasts.
Operational Support
* Liaise with regional and group finance teams to ensure alignment and consistency.
* Support quarterly WIP reporting and ad hoc financial reporting as required.
Qualifications
* Qualified or part qualified CIMA/ACCA/ACA preferred.
Experience
* Extensive experience in project accounting, ideally within professional services, engineering or construction industries.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to deal with finance and non-finance stakeholders.
* Experience in business partnering with senior stakeholders.
* Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
* Confident, proactive character, with the ability to take the lead in challenging situations; able to work unsupervised and use own initiative.
* Resilient with excellent communication skills and demonstrable attention to detail.
Desirable skills
* Experience of Agresso accounting system would be useful but not essential.
* Experience of Deltek Vision would be an advantage but not essential.
Styles & Behaviours
* Creative thinker and problem solver - able to think strategically and also get into the detail.
* A good communicator and influencer
* Is seen as a role model; strives to behave in a positive and inspiring manner at all times.
* Is able to secure other Buro Happold expertise/resources at the right time and can support cross group meetings and events.
* Develops an open relationship with the team to ensure they have support and direction needed to deliver goals.
* Does not sit on problems, proactively seeks solutions.
* Finds way of solving problems amicably by demonstrating a flexible and lateral approach to business and project situations avoiding confrontation and litigation.
* Takes time to consider how their specialism can impact positively on the business.
What We Offer You
* Hybrid working arrangements
* Attractive salary
* Discretionary bonus
* Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements
* Generous company pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
* Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts
* Enhanced parenthood leave policies
* A strong commitment to continuous development. Whatever stage in your career, we have a learning and development programme that will enable and empower you
* Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions
* A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities
* An opportunity to support your local community and those in society that are most in need, wherever they are located in the world through our Share Our Skills (SOS) programme
* A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring
* An international culture that wherever your career takes you at Buro Happold, you won’t be far from exceptional.
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