Senior Project Accountant

Job Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and methodical Senior Project Accountant to join our finance team. The role will provide financial oversight for a portfolio of projects, ensuring accurate project accounting, timely reporting, forecasting and compliance with internal controls and external requirements. The successful candidate will work closely with project managers, commercial teams and central finance to support profitable delivery, manage project financial performance and drive improvements to project accounting processes.

Key Ownership & Accountability

• Own the end‑to‑end project accounting function for assigned projects, ensuring accuracy of project ledgers, revenue recognition, costs, WIP and margins.
• Provide timely, insightful financial information to project managers and stakeholders to support decision making and commercial performance management.
• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies, group reporting requirements and relevant accounting standards (for example IFRS or UK GAAP).
• Act as the primary finance contact for projects, liaising with commercial, procurement, operations and external auditors as required.
  
  

• Prepare and maintain project cost reports, revenue schedules and WIP reconciliations on a monthly basis; identify and explain variances to budgets and forecasts.
• Perform month‑end project accounting activities including accruals, prepayments, deferred income, contract adjustments and journal postings.
• Support project forecasting and re‑forecasts, working with project teams to capture changes to scope, schedule and cost that impact financials.
• Manage contract accounting matters such as milestone billing, percentage of completion calculations, claims, variations and retention accounting.
• Review and validate project invoices, subcontractor invoices and cost allocations; raise and resolve queries with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure appropriate controls around project spend, purchase order compliance and capitalisation versus expense treatments.
• Contribute to the annual audit and interim reviews, producing schedules and supporting documentation for internal and external auditors.
• Drive continuous improvement in project accounting processes, systems and reporting; support system implementations, upgrades and data reconciliations.
• Coach and mentor more junior finance colleagues involved in project accounting tasks and promote best practice across the team.
  
  

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW or equivalent) or part‑qualified with substantial project accounting experience.
• Proven experience in project or contract accounting within construction, engineering, professional services or similar project‑based sectors.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge including revenue recognition, WIP, cost recognition, provisions and contract accounting.
• Excellent Excel skills and experience with ERP/finance systems; experience of project accounting modules or tools is advantageous.
• High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem‑solving skills and the ability to interpret complex financial information.
• Effective communicator with experience working cross‑functionally and presenting financial information to non‑finance stakeholders.
• Proactive, organised and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines with minimal supervision.
  
  

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW) preferred; consideration given to experienced part‑qualified candidates.
• Typically5+ years’ relevant experience in project or contract accounting; sector experience in project‑based industries is desirable.
• Ability to travel occasionally to project sites or other offices as required.
• Willingness to work flexibly to meet month‑end and reporting deadlines when necessary.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and complying with company policies, governance and data protection requirements.