Contract Accountant

Compass Group UK & Ireland; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food services company is seeking a Contract Accountant in Birmingham. The role involves commercial support, financial analysis, and managing relationships with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have completed the first level of finance qualifications (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) and possess strong analytical and communication skills. This position is based in the Parklands Office and requires at least 3 days of on-site work per week.

Qualifications

• Minimum completed first level of their professional exam qualifications in finance.
• Experience in accounting roles is essential.
• Ability to communicate information concisely and logically.

Responsibilities

• Provide commercial support to stakeholders for decision making.
• Prepare business reporting and assist in training operational teams.
• Monthly balance sheet review and risk management.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Adaptability

Education

Completed first level of CIMA/ACCA/ACA

Tools

SAP

Cognos

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Contract Accountant

Responsible to: Finance Business Partner

Location: Parklands Office, minimum 3 days per week

Department: Finance

Overall Purpose of the Role: As a Contract Accountant at Compass, you will work within a financially focused team in understanding key drivers of the business and to support in driving improved business performance. Through effective business partnering, the role will continually improve service levels, cost effectiveness and add value to any commercial activities undertaken.

Key Accountabilities

Purpose: Commercial Support

• Business Partner key stakeholders (financial and non-financial) ensuring strong commercial and operational decision making, managing financial risks and opportunities
• Attend designated site and client meetings
• Delivering proactive ad-hoc financial analysis to support business unit decision making
• Understand and manage the financial risks and opportunities arising from volumetric and other contract mechanisms - and ongoing business performance
• Understand and highlight the financial risks and opportunities arising from balance sheet maintenance

Performance:

• Help prepare key business reporting such as month end reports, business reviews, client reports, budgets, cash analysis and other ad-hoc analysis to be discussed at monthly review.
• Assist in training of operational teams in the use of business reporting to understand and improve their financial performance
• Monthly balance sheet review for area of responsibility, escalating key risks/ opportunities to senior stakeholders.
• Promote working capital improvements through timely, accurate contract billing, active management of debt ledgers and timely resolution of queries
• Support with the budgeting and forecasting process by consolidating the budget, understanding variances and preparing the budget presentation for senior stakeholders
• Support with completion of documentation for client tenders, negotiations and capital expenditure appraisals
• Support operational teams with understanding actions required on mobilisation and ensure that these are executed in line with timetable
• You will ensure health and safety of all colleagues within the business and report any incidents via the approved company processes

People: Relationship Management

• Working effectively as part of a team
• Building relationships with key stakeholders
• Support the development of junior team members and facilitate in training courses for new team members and operators alike

Qualifications

Candidate Requirements: Key Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential:

• Have at minimum completed the first level of their professional exam qualifications [CIMA/ACCA/ACA] and experience in an accounting role
• Demonstrate passion for Finance and an understanding of management accounting
• Analytical and with a high level of attention to detail
• An effective communicator with the ability to communicate oral and written information concisely and logically
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment

Desirable:

• Experience of SAP and Cognos as analysis and reporting tools
• Experience of management accounting inclusive of accounting adjustments, producing reports/analysis to support commercial decision making
• Experience of business partnering non-finance professionals to support the delivery of sound financial information

Performance Standards

• Excellent communication skills - ability to communicate oral and written information concisely and logically - to both finance and non-finance people
• Pro-active and energetic approach
• Ability to analyse and evaluate information concisely
• Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to influence internal and external parties
• Self-motivated with an ability to effectively plan and organise own work
• Ability to take on a broad spectrum of work under pressure and to deliver in agreed timescales

Leadership behaviours

• Communication - ability to manage, develop and lead peers
• Can Do - Finds new / quicker ways of meeting goals, shows conviction in own judgement and decisions, responds quickly under pressure and overcomes hurdles to achieve targets
• Share Success - Provides task related feedback to do the job effectively and provides excellent service. Delegates tasks to develop others
• Passion for Quality - Sets demanding performance expectations, sets priorities to maximise benefits, tracks the commercial implications of a situation in a step-by-step way
• Win through Teamwork - Pursues friendly relationships with colleagues and clients, contacts colleagues across the organisation and shares own knowledge and insight and displays a high level of energy and commitment to the role and organisation
• Embrace Diversity - Listens to others and values their contributions, receptive to new and builds on ideas and acts in ethical and socially responsible manner