We are recruiting a Contract Accountant to support one of our leading defence contracts, which includes both open and closed book elements across Warehousing and Transport operations. This role is ideal for a candidate looking to take their first step into a customer-facing finance role, offering exposure to commercial finance and being the sites key finance contact.
The role reports to the Commercial Finance Manager within the P&I Sector.
The contract accountant will be responsible for the financial insight, analysis, control, and suggesting and implementing improvements.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting
1. Produce internal monthly reporting packs
2. Perform general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations
3. Conduct cost analysis (. purchase orders, payroll, internal recharges)
4. Producing and posting monthly journals – recharges/reallocations/ prepayments/accruals/revenue recognition with appropriate back up
5. Review all balance sheet accounts periodically to ensure reconciliation, SOX compliance, and appropriate provisioning
Budgets & Forecasts
6. Collaborate with operational teams to understand requirements and build corresponding budgets
7. Understanding of open and closed book budgets and where operational costs sit, reallocating costs as appropriate
8. Develop bottom-up budgets and provide variance analysis
9. Support the Finance and Commercial Manager in preparing budgets and forecasts
Customer Focused
10. Prepare monthly customer reporting packs and supporting documentation
11. Raise sales invoices and resolve related queries
12. Assist with customer queries regarding monthly accounts and invoicing on a monthly an ad-hoc
13. Support monthly management meetings and attend customer meetings as required
14. Contribute to the preparation of customer change requests and updating budget/reporting files accordingly
Compliance & Continuous Improvement
15. Monitor and control site purchase ledger spend, ensuring authorisation and budget compliance
16. Prepare journals, accruals, and prepayments for ledger posting
17. Establish and maintain financial controls in line with company guidelines
18. Track and coordinate site continuous improvement and cost-saving initiatives
19. Act as a key partner to the site management team in delivering financial performance and strategic initiatives
20. Understand the operational requirements and how this directly impacts the financials – working closely with operational teams, account management and other members of the finance team
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will:
21. Be self-motivated and proactive and be able to work accurately under pressure
22. Experience in large scale reconciliations
23. Newly qualified/Qualified Accountant or QBE (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)
24. Demonstrate flexibility during key reporting periods
25. Possess strong IT skills (Excel, Oracle,
26. Embrace change with a forward-thinking mindset, actively identifying and proposing improvements to enhance processes and reporting
27. Strong communication skills
28. Willingness to develop customer relationship (but not expected)
29. Work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Our Culture & Benefits
In addition to generous remuneration, company car/allowance, we really value our people and offer a friendly, safety-first working environment, along with other benefits including company pension scheme, generous holidays, cycle to work scheme, employee benefits include, online discount platform, onsite parking and much more.
Our people are at the core of our business and what makes Wincanton great. That’s why we also provide significant opportunities for career development and progression, as well as training enrichment and multi-skilling, in a dynamic working environment.
Be a part of our values; We’re Thoughtful, We’re Aiming High and We’re Prepared.
Our Commitment
We are committed to providing equality of opportunity for all employees. We strive for an environment where all colleagues feel included, supported and valued, whilst feeling they can be their whole selves within our workplaces. We are proud that our colleagues represent us and our successes and we welcome your application.