Contract Accountant

Wincanton PLC; Wincanton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company is looking for a Contract Accountant in Wincanton. This role involves financial insight, analysis, and supporting both open and closed book elements across operations. Responsibilities include producing reporting packs, cost analysis, and collaborating with operational teams. Ideal for those looking to step into a customer-facing finance role with strong growth opportunities and a supportive environment.

Benefits

Company car/allowance

Company pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Onsite parking

Qualifications

• Experience in large scale reconciliations.
• Demonstrate flexibility during key reporting periods.
• Willingness to develop customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Produce internal monthly reporting packs.
• Conduct cost analysis for various operations.
• Prepare and monitor site purchase ledger spend.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Excel

Proactive mindset

Cost analysis

Collaborative approach

Education

Newly qualified/Qualified Accountant or QBE (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)

Tools

Oracle

Job description

Job Description: 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 site's 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

• Produce internal monthly reporting packs
• Perform general ledger and balance sheet reconciliations
• Conduct cost analysis (e.g. purchase orders, payroll, internal recharges)
• Producing and posting monthly journals - recharges/reallocations/ prepayments/accruals/revenue recognition with appropriate back up
• Review all balance sheet accounts periodically to ensure reconciliation, SOX compliance, and appropriate provisioning

Budgets & Forecasts

• Collaborate with operational teams to understand requirements and build corresponding budgets
• Understanding of open and closed book budgets and where operational costs sit, reallocating costs as appropriate
• Develop bottom-up budgets and provide variance analysis
• Support the Finance and Commercial Manager in preparing budgets and forecasts

Customer Focused

• Prepare monthly customer reporting packs and supporting documentation
• Raise sales invoices and resolve related queries
• Assist with customer queries regarding monthly accounts and invoicing on a monthly ad-hoc basis
• Support monthly management meetings and attend customer meetings as required
• Contribute to the preparation of customer change requests and updating budget/reporting files accordingly

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor and control site purchase ledger spend, ensuring authorisation and budget compliance
• Prepare journals, accruals, and prepayments for ledger posting
• Establish and maintain financial controls in line with company guidelines
• Track and coordinate site continuous improvement and cost-saving initiatives
• Act as a key partner to the site management team in delivering financial performance and strategic initiatives
• 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
• Be self-motivated and proactive and be able to work accurately under pressure
• Experience in large scale reconciliations
• Newly qualified/Qualified Accountant or QBE (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)
• Demonstrate flexibility during key reporting periods
• Possess strong IT skills (Excel, Oracle, etc.)
• Embrace change with a forward-thinking mindset, actively identifying and proposing improvements to enhance processes and reporting
• Strong communication skills
• Willingness to develop customer relationship (but not expected)
• 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