Cost Accountant (Fixed-Term, 12 Months)

AXA; Redhill; Remote; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

25 days annual leave

Employee discounts

Company Shareplan / Scheme & Loan

Cycle2Work Scheme

Discounted Home Insurance

Assistance Scheme

Gym membership discounts

Financial education seminars

Job summary

AXA Partners in the United Kingdom is seeking a newly qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA Cost Accountant for a 12-month fixed-term contract. You will lead month-end closing within a tight five-day window, post journals, analyse cost reports, and manage payroll accounting with a focus on accuracy and compliance.

You'll explain variances between P&L and Balance Sheet and support audit readiness while collaborating with the FP&A team on budgets and forecasts. Eligibility to work in the UK is required.

Qualifications

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA with relevant experience.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret financial data.
• Attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Confidential and professional handling of sensitive data.
• Effective communication of complex financial information.
• Collaborative team player with proactive mindset.
• Adaptability to dynamic priorities and FCA/SM&CR frameworks.
• Knowledge of FCA reporting, SM&CR and Consumer Duty is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate month-end close within a 5-day window.
• Prepare, review and post journals; reconcile accounts for accuracy.
• Analyze quarterly cost reports to support management decisions within a 10-day window.
• Manage payroll accounting including wages, deductions and benefits.
• Explain variances between P&L and Balance Sheet and cost base.
• Handle large datasets with auditable transaction trails.
• Support audit readiness with transparent, compliant financial results.
• Prepare board packs for CFOs and collaborate on budgets and forecasts.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Effective communicator

Team player

Adaptability

Integrity

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Join Our Finance Team as a Cost Accountant - Drive Accuracy and Insight in Financial Reporting!

(12-month fixed-term contract)

What you'll be doing:

• Lead and coordinate the month-end closing process, ensuring completion within a 5-day timeframe.
• Prepare, review, and post journal entries; reconcile accounts to maintain data accuracy.
• Analyze quarterly cost reports, providing insights to support management decision-making within a 10-day window.
• Manage payroll accounting, including wages, deductions, and benefits, ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Develop a strong understanding of the cost base, explaining variances between P&L and Balance Sheet.
• Handle large datasets with meticulous attention to detail, maintaining an auditable trail of transactions.
• Support audit readiness by producing transparent, compliant, and auditable financial results.
• Prepare board packs for CFO presentations and collaborate with the FP&A team on budgets and forecasts.

What you'll bring: (6-8 bullet points max)

• Newly qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA accountant with relevant experience.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality in handling sensitive data.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial data and identify discrepancies.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills to meet tight deadlines.
• Effective communicator who can translate complex financial information clearly.
• Proactive team player with a collaborative approach and a willingness to challenge and improve.
• Adaptability to work efficiently in a dynamic environment with multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks such as FCA reporting, SM&CR, and Consumer Duty is a plus.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

What we offer

At AXA Partners, we're appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

• Competitive Salary
• 25 days rising to a maximum of 27 days (based on a 5 day week)
• Retail Discounts
• Company Shareplan /Scheme & Loan
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Discounted Home Insurance
• Employee Assistance Scheme
• Dr@Hand
• Discounted Gym Membership
• Free Financial Education/Pension Seminars

We're proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don't discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics.

If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, please send an email to AXA Partners Global HR Response - [e-mail]

Who we are

We're AXA Partners, experts at designing and delivering assistance solutions and specialised insurance, credit, and lifestyle protection - with and for our partners worldwide. What sets us apart? The expertise and passion of our 8,500+ people, and a strong network of over 55,000 professionals all over the world. Powered by them and our sector-leading technology, we continuously evolve, adapt and thrive - offering solutions and services that make sure we're always at people's side, no matter what. Helping others is our passion. Combining the best digital technology with our warm, human touch, we're always looking at new ways to offer seamless and reassuring experiences when it really matters.

Join a company that helps protect the forests! At AXA Partners, we plant a tree for every new recruit (with a permanent contract)