Cost Accountant/Financial Analysis

Hays Accountancy and Finance; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Cost Accountant/Financial Analyst to provide critical financial insights and support for their operations. This role involves working closely with manufacturing and procurement teams to ensure accurate reporting and cost control. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in a manufacturing environment, strong SAP and Excel skills, and a recognized accounting qualification. Join a dynamic team where your contributions will help drive efficiencies and improve financial processes in a collaborative and innovative atmosphere. If you are ready to take on new challenges and make a significant impact, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• Recognised accounting qualification or significant experience in management accounting.
• Extensive experience in manufacturing environments with SAP.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial insight and metrics for manufacturing and procurement.
• Implement cost-control measures and track variances.
• Support business strategy with forecasting and planning metrics.

Skills

SAP

Excel (Power Query, Macro Writing)

Variance Analysis

Data Manipulation

Accounting Qualification

Education

Degree Level Education

ACCA or ACMA Qualification

Tools

ERP Systems

Job description

Cost Accountant/Financial Analyst
09:00-17:30
Hybrid work
6-month contract
Day rate: £500 - £600

Essential: extensive experience working in a manufacturing environment, working with SAP and strong excel skills (power query, macro writing).

Job Purpose: The Financial Analyst - Global Operations provides financial insight to the division's leadership, ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent metrics for manufacturing, procurement, supply chain, and quality activities. The role involves regular communication of financial performance and KPIs, supporting strategic input, identifying business risks, and proposing mitigating actions.

Key Duties:

Financial Planning:

• Report monthly finance-related Operations metrics.
• Consolidate and report monthly metrics.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools for operations.
• Prepare finance sections of board reports.
• Enhance consistency and automation of Operations/Finance processes.
• Prepare presentations for senior management.

Cost Control:

• Implement robust cost-control measures.
• Track target benefits and understand monthly variances.
• Identify and query anomalous costs and budget variances.
• Maintain top global standards for assessment.

Inventory / Cost Roll:

• Utilise ERP systems to highlight inventory movements.
• Improve inventory transparency and decision-making.
• Ensure SAP compliance and adherence to inventory policy.
• Maintain standard costs across the network.
• Administer annual cost roll process and impact analysis.
• Ensure adequate financial controls and compliance.
• Adhere to financial policies and procedures.
• Maintain clear communication with stakeholders.
• Drive efficiencies and continuous improvement.
• Complete ad-hoc projects and reporting enhancements.
• Support key finance initiatives.
• Develop strong relationships with operations and finance teams.
• Provide focused support to plants during challenges or changes.

Business Strategy Support:

• Provide quality navigation, forecasting, and business planning metrics for insightful decision-making.

Technical Knowledge and Skills: Essential:

• Recognised accounting qualification or significant experience in operations-focused management accounting.
• Professionally qualified or part-qualified (ACCA, ACMA), degree level education.
• Extensive experience in manufacturing environments with SAP.
• Strong technical skills in Excel, Power Query, and macro writing.
• Experience in variance analysis and large dataset manipulation.
• Comfortable working with different cultures.

Competencies and Abilities:

• Persistent pursuit of effective results.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Effective engagement and collaboration with others.
• Building effective networks and understanding customer needs.
• Independent research and solution identification.
• Support for change and continuous improvement.
• Adaptability to emerging technology.
• Strong documentation and presentation skills.
• Collaboration with cross-functional, multicultural teams.

Planning and Decision-Making:

• Execute business strategy with respect to Operations.
• Autonomous decision-making within DoA structure.
• Initiative-driven work with minimal guidance.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.