Project Accountant

Guidant Global; Chilton; On-site; GBP 88,855,000 - 118,950,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus Helicopters UK is seeking an experienced Project Accountant to lead financial control across defence projects in Oxford, with hybrid working and close collaboration with programme and commercial teams. The role reports to the Financial Controller and supports bidding, budgeting and month-end activities.

You will contribute to EAC reporting, SSRO audits and client offers, ensuring accurate forecasting and robust financial data in SAP, while engaging with senior stakeholders and ensuring

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.
• Experience within financial controlling, project accounting or project reporting environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong reporting, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency across the Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of work package management, forecasting and risk management.
• A structured, methodical approach to planning, reporting and financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Partner with programme and commercial teams to ensure financial integrity across defence projects.
• Review and validate financial information supporting customer offers and business proposals.
• Develop financial work breakdown structures, project plans and cost models for future contract bids.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting and operational planning activities.
• Monitor programme performance, analysing variances and providing meaningful financial insights.
• Lead project financial reviews, including EAC reporting and contract reviews.
• Support SSRO audits and coordinate supplier reporting requirements.

Skills

Accounting principles

Financial controls

Stakeholder management

Excel skills

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Project accounting

Education

Accountancy qualification

Part-qualified welcomed

Tools

SAP

Job description

Project Accountant Airbus Helicopters | Oxford | Hybrid Working
Pay Rate: £33.10 per hour PAYE / £44.28 per hour
Umbrella Contract: 12 Months (with potential extension)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:00
Security Requirements: DBS clearance required. Current SC clearance highly desirable.
Location: Oxford, with a minimum of 3 days per week on site and flexibility required around key month-end activities.
Join Airbus Helicopters UK Airbus Helicopters is the world's leading helicopter manufacturer, and its Oxford site is the UK's principal hub for civil helicopter operations. We are looking for an experienced Project Accountant to join our Finance team, supporting critical defence programmes while partnering closely with operational and commercial teams. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a collaborative environment where your expertise will directly influence project performance, strategic decision-making and future business growth.

About the Role

As Project Accountant, you will provide financial leadership across defence programmes, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate forecasting and insightful reporting. You will be a trusted business partner to programme and commercial teams, helping to drive performance and challenge assumptions where necessary. This position reports to the Financial Controller and offers exposure to high-profile defence projects, senior stakeholders and future bid activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with programme and commercial teams to ensure financial integrity across defence projects.
• Review and validate financial information supporting customer offers and business proposals.
• Develop financial work breakdown structures, project plans and cost models for future contract bids.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting and operational planning activities.
• Monitor programme performance, analysing variances and providing meaningful financial insights.
• Ensure accurate allocation of costs, labour bookings and programme‑related financial data.
• Lead project financial reviews, including Estimate at Completion (EAC) reporting and contract reviews.
• Support month‑end close activities and ensure compliance with accounting standards and company policies.
• Lead SSRO audits from a finance perspective and coordinate annual supplier reporting requirements.
• Support statutory audits and respond to programme‑related financial queries.
• Maintain and improve financial data and reporting within SAP.
• Act as the primary finance contact for programme stakeholders.
• Provide expert financial challenge and support to help drive project success.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.
• Experience within financial controlling, project accounting or project reporting environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong reporting, analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency across the Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Knowledge of work package management, forecasting and risk management.
• A structured, methodical approach to planning, reporting and financial analysis.

Qualifications

• Professional accountancy qualification or part qualification (such as CIMA, ACCA or equivalent).
• Candidates who are part‑qualified with strong relevant experience are encouraged to apply.
• Experience will be considered alongside qualifications.

Desirable Experience

• Project accounting experience.
• SAP experience.
• Knowledge of the Single Source Regulatory framework (SSRO).
• Understanding of MoD commercial and accounting procedures.
• Current Security Clearance (SC).

Why Join Airbus?

• Work on high‑profile defence programmes with national significance.
• Gain exposure to senior leaders and key commercial stakeholders.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunity to broaden your experience across finance, commercial and programme functions.
• Supportive team environment with handover and onboarding support available.
• Excellent prospects for long‑term career development and internal mobility across Airbus.
• Join a small, collaborative team where you can make a real impact.

Additional Information

• Occasional UK travel may be required.
• Travel within Europe may occasionally be necessary.
• Full driving licence is preferred but not essential.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.

If you're a proactive finance professional who enjoys partnering with the business, influencing decision-making and supporting complex projects, we'd love to hear from you. Join Airbus Helicopters UK and help shape the financial success of critical defence programmes while developing your own career within a global aerospace leader.