Assistant Management Accountant – St Albans

Month End & Management Accounting

• Prepare and post monthly journals, including project recharges, intercompany recharges, allocations and other routine journals.
• Complete month-end balance sheet reconciliations and prepare supporting information, including fixed assets, director loan accounts and other key balance sheet accounts.
• Support the preparation of month-end management accounts and associated reporting.
• Review financial information for completeness, accuracy and unusual movements.
• Investigate variances and follow up queries with relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain appropriate supporting schedules and audit trails for month-end processes.
• Take responsibility for the day-to-day accounting requirements of smaller Group entities

Project Accounting & WIP

• Maintain accurate project data within Sage Intacct.
• Support the preparation and distribution of project cost reports.
• Assist Project and Commercial teams with queries relating to project cost reporting.
• Review project forecasts and assist with the preparation of WIP calculations and supporting workings.
• Support regular project financial reporting and analysis.
• Work with the AP team to help clear down the creditors schedule and ensure project costs are appropriately captured.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Produce and distribute regular monthly and quarterly analysis and reporting packs.
• Prepare regular reports and dashboards for the Finance and wider business teams.
• Assist with analysis of P&L performance, including review of key cost categories such as client and team entertainment and other overheads.
• Interrogate financial outputs to identify trends, anomalies and items requiring further investigation.
• Support the Finance team in providing clear and timely financial information to operational and senior management.

Forecasting & Planning

• Assist with the preparation of overhead forecasts.
• Support the review of project forecasts and identification of movements against budget or previous forecasts.
• Assist with cash forecasting and preparation of cash-by-project reporting.
• Provide analysis and supporting information for forecasting and planning processes.

Credit, Tax & Compliance

• Prepare weekly credit monitoring reports and highlight key issues for review.
• Assist with CIS and VAT return preparation.
• Perform tax control testing and maintain appropriate supporting evidence.
• Assist with other financial control and compliance activities as required.

Process Improvement & Wider Finance Support

• Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency, accuracy and automation of finance processes.
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of finance systems and reporting.
• Work collaboratively with AP, Project Finance, Commercial and operational teams.
• Assist with internal and external audit requirements.
• Undertake ad hoc analysis and finance projects as required.

Other

• To work to the Company’s Quality, Environmental and Safety Management System standards and performance criteria including delivering the objectives set

• To co-operate on matters of health and safety and follow the training provided. To take reasonable care of personal and other’s health and safety at all times

• Any other duties consistent with the role of Assistant Management Accountant as may be required from time to time.

• Essential:
  • Previous experience in a finance or accounting role with exposure to management accounting.
  • Good understanding of double-entry bookkeeping and core accounting principles.
  • Experience of preparing journals and balance sheet reconciliations.
  • Strong Excel skills, including the ability to analyse and manipulate financial data.
  • Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach.
  • Ability to investigate variances and discrepancies and identify the underlying cause.
  • Good communication skills and confidence working with non-finance stakeholders.
  • Ability to manage deadlines and prioritise workload, particularly around month end.

   

  Desirable:

  • AAT qualified or part-qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA, or actively studying towards a relevant qualification.
  • Experience of project or contract accounting.
  • Experience within the construction or another project-based industry.
  • Experience with Sage Intacct or another cloud-based accounting system.
  • Experience with WIP, project forecasting or cost-value reporting.
  • Experience preparing management information and reporting packs.

   

  Personal Attributes

  • Analytical and naturally curious, with an interest in understanding what the numbers are telling you.
  • Proactive and willing to investigate issues rather than simply identify them.
  • Comfortable working with both detailed financial information and wider business requirements.
  • Well organised and able to meet tight month-end deadlines.
  • Confident communicating financial information to non-finance colleagues.
  • Positive attitude towards systems, automation and process improvement.
  • Keen to develop technically and take on increasing responsibility within the Finance team.