Lead Management Accountant

UNITED UTILITIES GROUP PLC; England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK utility provider is seeking a Lead Management Accountant to drive financial performance and budgeting processes. This hybrid role requires a fully qualified accountant with strong analytical and data skills to contribute to impactful financial decisions. Key responsibilities include cost analysis, performance measurement, and providing actionable insights. The position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Annual leave package of 26 days

Up to 14% employer pension contribution

10.5% performance-related bonus scheme

Comprehensive healthcare plan

Gym discounts and wellness benefits

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and able to translate them into actionable insights.
• High levels of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to explain complex financial issues clearly.

Responsibilities

• Champion budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Track and provide insights against financial metrics.
• Conduct variance analysis on key discretionary spend areas.
• Assist in evaluating financial implications of business initiatives.

Skills

Strong systems and data skills (SAP, Advanced Excel)

Analytical skills

Ability to create clear reports

Cost analysis and optimisation

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Alteryx

Job description

Salary - Competitive
Work Type - Hybrid
Job Location - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities' (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We've got a lot to offer. You'll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Join us as Lead Management Accountant! Drive Impact, Innovation & Commercial Sustainability!

Are you ready to take the lead in shaping the future of finance within a forward-thinking organisation? We're looking for a Lead Management Accountant to champion our investment program (known as AMP8 in the water sector) owning budgeting, forecasting, and delivering insightful, data-driven strategies.

This is your chance to dive deep into data, collaborate with passionate stakeholders, and unlock powerful cost optimisation initiatives that fuel our mission for a Stronger, Greener, Healthier North West. If you have a sharp commercial mindset and thrive in a fast-paced, purpose driven environment, this role is your platform to make a real difference.

Step into a role where innovation meets impact and your expertise drives the transformation our region deserves.

Planning, Budget, Forecasting

• Working closely with relevant stakeholders and central Finance to input on cost assumptions used in budgeting process

Performance measurement & reporting

• Tracking and providing insights against financial/operational metrics to evaluate business performance
• Support the provision of regular, quantitative and qualitative insight to support the Finance Business Partnering team in driving the performance agenda
• Performance measurement: Providing meaningful, regular reports to stakeholders, highlighting areas for improvement and recommending appropriate actions for course correcting
• Financial analysis: Analysing financial performance against budget and providing insights such as historical and forward-looking analysis, improvement opportunities and potential risks (including support for regulatory reporting)
• Cost analysis and optimisation: Analysing cost data to identify cost drivers, trends and opportunities for cost savings
• Spend control reporting: Provide challenge and conduct variance analysis on key discretionary spend areas ahead of Executive meetings
• Assisting in evaluating the financial implications of business initiatives, investments and projects and ensuring compliance with internal governance

Record to Report

• Period-end close: Reviewing month-end reports and control accounts

• Strong systems and data skills (SAP, Advanced Excel, Powerpoint and BPC). Preferable (PowerBi, Alteryx or Tableau skills)
• Able to create clear and compelling reports that effectively convey financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Ability to use data visualisation to interpret complex financial information in a clear and concise manner
• Strong analytical skills, and able to translate into actionable insights and support decision-making processes
• Ability to explain complex financial issues clearly & concisely and make recommendations for improvement
• High levels of attention to detail and accuracy
• Able to move at pace, to proactively identify and drive creative solutions and remove barriers where necessary

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.