Level 2 Contract Accountant

Compass Group UK; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food service sector is seeking a Level 2 Contract Accountant to join their finance team in Birmingham. The role involves providing commercial support, preparing financial reports, and managing relationships with stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a professional accounting qualification and strong analytical skills, contributing to improved business performance and decision-making.

Qualifications

• First-level professional qualification (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) completed.
• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.

Responsibilities

• Assist business partners in making strong commercial and operational decisions.
• Prepare key reports such as monthly management reports and budgets.
• Support the closing of monthly accounts, ensuring accurate recognition of sales and costs.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Education

CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualification

Tools

Excel

SAP

Cognos

Quick Sights

Job description

Job Title

Level 2 Contract Accountant

Responsible to

Finance Business Partner

Location

Parklands

Department

Finance

This role profile serves as a guide to the initial work requirements and may be updated due to changing circumstances. It does not form part of your contract of employment.

Overall Purpose of the Role

As an Accountant at Compass, you will work within a financially focused team to understand key business drivers and support improved business performance. The role aims to continually enhance service levels, cost efficiency, and add value to commercial activities.

Key Accountabilities

PURPOSE: Commercial Support

• Assist business partners (financial and non-financial) in making strong commercial and operational decisions, managing financial risks and opportunities.
• Provide proactive ad-hoc financial analysis to support business unit decision-making.
• Understand and manage financial risks and opportunities from volumetric and other contract mechanisms and ongoing business performance.
• Identify and highlight financial risks and opportunities from balance sheet management.

PERFORMANCE

• Prepare key reports such as monthly management reports, business reviews, client reports, budgets, cash analysis, and other ad-hoc analyses for monthly review discussions.
• Conduct monthly balance sheet reviews, escalating risks and opportunities to senior stakeholders.
• Support the closing of monthly accounts, ensuring sales and costs are accurately recognized.
• Promote working capital improvements through timely billing, active debt management, and prompt query resolution.
• Assist with budgeting and forecasting, consolidating budgets, analyzing variances, and preparing presentations for senior management.
• Support documentation for client tenders, negotiations, and capital expenditure evaluations.
• Assist operational teams with mobilization actions, ensuring adherence to timelines.
• Ensure health and safety of all colleagues, reporting incidents via company processes.

PEOPLE: Relationship Management

• Work effectively within a team.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.

Candidate Requirements: Key Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• First-level professional qualification (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) completed.
• Passion for finance and understanding of management accounting.
• Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written.

Desirable

• Adaptability to changing environments.
• Proficiency in Excel.
• Experience with SAP, Cognos, and Quick Sights for analysis and reporting.

Performance Standards

• Excellent communication skills for conveying information clearly to both finance and non-finance audiences.
• Proactive and energetic approach.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate information concisely.
• Self-motivated with effective planning and organizational skills.
• Capability to handle diverse tasks under pressure within deadlines.

Leadership Behaviors

• Effective communication with peers.
• Innovative and responsive in achieving goals.
• Providing constructive feedback and excellent service.
• Commitment to quality and understanding performance expectations.
• Teamwork, relationship building, and knowledge sharing.
• Valuing diversity, ethical conduct, and social responsibility.