Assistant Project Accountant

Portsmouth Water; Havant; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility provider is seeking an Assistant Project Accountant to support the finance team in Havant. This role involves managing project governance, tracking costs, and preparing financial reports for effective project delivery in large construction programs. Candidates must possess strong communication skills and have a minimum of 2 years' experience in project accounting. The position promotes flexible working arrangements and commitment to equality and diversity.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• More than 2 years of project accounting experience in large or complex construction programmes.
• Good knowledge of project team roles, including quantity surveyors and project managers.
• Understanding of accounting regulations.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain robust financial controls for the project.
• Ensure that financial controls are adhered to and reviewed periodically.
• Manage the spend control processes, ensuring that invoices are paid on time.

Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Understanding of the construction industry

Good analytical skills

Excellent Excel skills

Finance experience or qualifications

More than 2 years of project accounting experience

Education

AAT qualification or equivalent

Tools

ERP software

Job description

We’re making a difference: Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future.

Portsmouth Water is seeking an Assistant Project Accountant to join the Havant Thicket Reservoir project team. In this role, you will support the Finance Manager by helping manage project governance, track costs, and prepare financial reports to assist Project Managers in delivering the HTR project effectively.

What will you be doing?

Key Responsibilities

• Support and maintain robust financial controls for the project
• Ensure that financial controls are adequate, adhered to, and are periodically reviewed
• Support and maintain the project budget, spend, and forecasting reporting
• Ensure that supplier costs are reflected accurately in the monthly management accounts
• Processing Purchase Orders
• Support the project team to prepare programme costs for reporting
• Support in producing the project’s monthly accounts and generate monthly reports
• Manage the spend control processes, ensuring that invoices are paid on time
• Support the year-end financial reporting procedures
• Support in producing the monthly Steerco and JPAG reports
• Support in producing the Finance Sub Group reports
• Support managing IFS (Finance System)
• Ensure that invoices are appropriately authorised and processed
• Resolve outstanding queries
• Prepare monthly reports and ad hoc reporting

What do you need?

Skills, Qualifications & Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• An understanding of the construction industry and professional services
• Good knowledge of project team roles, including quantity surveyors, project managers, programme and risk management
• Appreciation of contract management methodology, with experience managing accounts for large construction projects
• Good analytical skills to review cost reports and generate meaningful financial reports for decision support
• Understanding of accounting regulations
• Excellent Excel skills; proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, and Teams
• Finance experience or qualifications in accounting or related field
• More than 2 years of project accounting experience in large or complex construction programmes
• AAT qualification or equivalent experience
• Experience with Contract Management and ERP software is an advantage

We value flexible working arrangements. Feel free to discuss your needs during the interview.

Please note, this advert may close early if we receive many applications. We encourage you to apply promptly.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from all sections of society.

Eligibility to work in the UK is a requirement for employment.

We may not respond to every application individually. If interested, we will contact you within 4 weeks.