Cost Accountant

Royal London; Alderley Edge; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Royal London is seeking a Cost Accountant to join the Group Finance team in Alderley Park on a permanent full-time basis. The role covers financial integrity of BAU and change costs, month-end reporting, and driving improvements in group-wide cost processes in a hybrid work setting.

You will act as a cost accounting expert, prepare reconciliations, support statutory accounts and audits, and collaborate with finance and non-finance colleagues to embed strong controls and timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Newly qualified accountant with solid accounting principles.
• Experience in cost accounting, management accounting or financial reporting.
• Experience supporting statutory accounts and external audits.
• Good understanding of financial controls and their practical application.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Flexible, self-motivated and proactive, with drive to improve.
• Confident communicator with strong relationship-management skills.
• Well organised with ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Manage the financial integrity of BAU and change costs across appointed areas, working closely with Cost Accounting and Business Finance teams to deliver accurate accounting, fit-for-purpose month-end reporting, and continuous improvement in group-wide processes.
• Act as a subject matter expert in cost accounting, proactively engaging with stakeholders to improve reporting quality and provide clear guidance on cost processes.
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations and provide clear supporting analysis for balance sheet and profit and loss movements, ensuring reported results are complete, accurate, and supported by appropriate evidence.
• Contribute to period-end financial accounting reviews and monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting requirements, maintaining robust financial controls and governance processes.
• Assist with the preparation of statutory accounts and audit deliverables, responding to internal and external auditor requests with clear and timely supporting information.
• Build strong relationships across Group Finance, the Group Programme Office, and supported business areas, directing team resources to deliver improvements, document outcomes, realise benefits, and complete post-implementation reviews.
• Ensure cost-related business risks are understood, controlled, and mitigated, supporting senior leaders to embed effective risk management practices.

Skills

Cost accounting

Management accounting

Financial reporting

Financial controls

Relationship management

Organization

Deadline management

Education

Newly qualified accountant

Tools

Excel

Job description

“It feels good to have a career with real purpose.”

Contract type: Permanent Full Time 35 hours per week
Location: Alderley Park
Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based

Join our Group Finance team as a Cost Accountant, where you’ll play a key role in ensuring the integrity of the UK Trading company’s operating cost position. This is an exciting opportunity to support our business with high-quality cost reporting, drive improvements in group-wide accounting, and act as a key point of contact for finance enquiries. You’ll be at the heart of initiatives to enhance cost reporting quality and support strategic projects that make a real impact across Royal London.

About the role

• Manage the financial integrity of BAU and change costs across appointed areas, working closely with Cost Accounting and Business Finance teams to deliver accurate accounting, fit-for-purpose month-end reporting, and continuous improvement in group-wide processes


• Act as a subject matter expert in cost accounting, proactively engaging with stakeholders to improve reporting quality and provide clear guidance on cost processes


• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations and provide clear supporting analysis for balance sheet and profit and loss movements, ensuring reported results are complete, accurate, and supported by appropriate evidence


• Contribute to period-end financial accounting reviews and monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting requirements, maintaining robust financial controls and governance processes


• Assist with the preparation of statutory accounts and audit deliverables, responding to internal and external auditor requests with clear and timely supporting information


• Build strong relationships across Group Finance, the Group Programme Office, and supported business areas, directing team resources to deliver improvements, document outcomes, realise benefits, and complete post-implementation reviews


• Ensure cost-related business risks are understood, controlled, and mitigated, supporting senior leaders to embed effective risk management practices.

About you

• Newly qualified accountant with a solid understanding of accounting principles


• Experience in cost accounting, management accounting or financial reporting


• Experience supporting the preparation of statutory accounts and external audits


• Good understanding of financial controls and their practical application


• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills


• Flexible, self-motivated, and proactive, with a commitment to challenging the status quo and driving improvements


• Confident communicator with strong relationship-management skills and the ability to work effectively with finance and non-finance colleagues


• Well organised, with the ability to prioritise effectively and meet tight deadlines in a complex environment.

About Royal London

We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.

Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.

We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance.

Inclusion, diversity and belonging

We’re an inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.

Only candidates who have the legal right to work in the UK or Ireland can undertake this role.
Unfortunately, Royal London is unable to provide visa or work permit sponsorship.