Cost Performance Accountant

Stott and May; Frimley; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organisation in the engineering sector is seeking a Cost Performance Accountant to join its Finance Transformation function. This role, set in a hybrid work model, emphasizes delivering high-quality financial outputs using SAP tools. Candidates must be fully qualified accountants (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) and possess strong Excel skills. The successful applicant will collaborate across teams to support an ERP transformation and enhance financial governance. Experience in finance best practices and the ability to communicate insights effectively is vital.

Qualifications

• Must be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
• Strong proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office is required.
• Experience in FP&A and cost management is crucial.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of an ERP programme alongside finance and operations teams.
• Collaborate to develop SAP-aligned processes.
• Implement enhanced reporting and forecasting.
• Identify process improvement opportunities for efficiency.
• Provide financial guidance on budgets and forecasts.
• Present financial insights to senior stakeholders.
• Maintain a strong financial controls environment.

Skills

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills

Understanding of finance best practice

Strong cross-functional stakeholder relationships

SAP experience

Payroll accounting experience

FP&A expertise

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Cost Performance Accountant – Contract (Inside IR35)

Day Rate: £520 per day (Inside IR35)
Clearance: BPSS
Location: Frimley (Hybrid)
Contract Length: 12 months

Overview

A leading organisation within a complex, engineering-led environment is seeking a Cost Performance Accountant to join its Finance Transformation function. You will play a crucial role in delivering high-quality FP&A outputs, accurate forecasting, and insightful cost analysis that supports effective decision-making across the business.

You will work closely with finance stakeholders and operational teams, becoming a trusted partner and a key contributor to financial governance, cost visibility, and process improvement. The role is aligned to a major ERP transformation programme, supporting the design and implementation of standardised processes and best-practice reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Support delivery of an ERP programme alongside finance, payroll, and operations teams, ensuring optimal system design for Cost Performance and Payroll.

• Collaborate with finance teams across the organisation to develop standardised, SAP‑aligned processes.

• Contribute to the implementation of enhanced reporting and forecasting using modern SAP analytics tools.

• Identify opportunities for process improvement to drive efficiency and alignment with finance modernisation initiatives.

• Support teams in the UK and internationally to ensure consistent, high-quality FP&A output.

• Provide financial guidance on budgets, forecasts, cost transformation, and profitability drivers.

• Present complex financial insights clearly to senior stakeholders across multiple business functions.

• Maintain a strong financial controls environment.

What Good Looks Like

Candidates with experience in complex, matrixed organisations—ideally within defence, engineering, aerospace, or large‑scale manufacturing—will be well suited to this role.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA).

• Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills.

• Demonstrable understanding of finance best practice.

• Proven ability to build strong cross‑functional stakeholder relationships.

• SAP experience is essential; SME or super‑user level highly beneficial.

• Payroll accounting experience.

• Demonstrated FP&A and cost management expertise.

Additional Information

Candidates must have permanent and unrestricted right to work in the UK. BPSS clearance is required prior to starting.