Project Accountant

Carbon 60; Wytham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbus Helicopters UK, based at Oxford Airport, is seeking a finance professional to lead financial control for defence-related programmes. You will validate offers, develop project plans and forecasts, and ensure correct cost allocation across programmes.

The role requires solid accounting knowledge, MoD procedures awareness and experience with SAP. Travel within UK and Europe is possible; flexible location is offered.

Qualifications

• Essential finance knowledge and ability to validate financial data.
• Strong communication and reporting skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office and Excel.
• Experience with work packages and tracking against budgets.
• Awareness of MoD/regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Validate financial integrity of offers and customer communications.
• Develop project plans, work packages and schedules for proposals.
• Assist with budget planning and forecast updates.
• Ensure accurate cost allocation and hours bookings across programmes.
• Support month-end close and SSRO audits from a finance perspective.
• Prepare annual SSRO supplier report submissions.
• Handle statutory audits and other programme-related financial queries.
• Act as focal point for programme financial queries and ad hoc requests.

Skills

Accountancy principles

Communication skills

Report writing

MS Office/Excel

multitasking/prioritisation

Work package management

Risk management

Planning/tracking

Education

CIMA qualification

Financial controlling/project reporting experience

MoD procedures knowledge

Tools

SAP

Project accounting

Job description

Airbus Helicopters is the world's largest helicopter manufacturer and the company's site at Oxford Airport is Britain's civil helicopter hub.

AHUK offers considerable experience in helicopter sales, bespoke completions, maintenance and spares support. Its in-house engineering capabilities include design, customisation, installation, flight-testing and certification, as well as technical support, maintenance, training and the supply of spares for civil and military applications.

AHUK is the MoD's chosen provider of helicopters and maintenance for its Defence Helicopter Flying school (referred to as MFTS) located in RAF Shawbury (Shropshire) and RAF Valley (Anglesey).

The main responsibilities of the post holder will be:

• Offers: Liaise with the Senior Management Team to validate the financial integrity of offers before sending to customer.
• Develop work breakdown structures to generate project plans, work packages and schedules for future contract proposals.
• Forecast: Assist in the preparation of operating plans and forecast updates to the annual budget. Also reporting deviations to budget.
• Ensure all finance data is accurate ensuring costs are allocated correctly and hours bookings are up to date across the programme.
• Risk management
• Contracts reviews: Prepare Group contract reviews and monthly "Estimate at Completion" (EACs) updates. Ensure labour and sub-contractor costs are correctly booked.
• Support month end closing for financial reporting, ensuring correct accounting treatments on the programme.
• Lead the SSRO Audit from a finance viewpoint
• Complete annual SSRO Supplier report submissions
• Support with statutory audit answering any programme related queries.
• Assist with other finance month end tasks eg Support on Spares/Training activities.
• Focal point for programme related queries
• Actively support the programme with ad hoc financial requests
• Add finance expertise across the programme challenging delivery team where necessary.
• Internal control: monitor adherence to company policies and procedures (such as risk management) and the relevant accounting standards.
• Information system: maintain the defence related financial data in SAP, amend the reports, and address change requests to the IT department if required.

Knowledge and Skills

ESSENTIAL

• Good working knowledge of accountancy principles
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good report and procedure writing skills
• Use of MS office and Excel in particular
• Ability to coordinate a number of tasks simultaneously, and to prioritise and work to tight deadlines
• Solid understanding of work package management and work package control
• Knowledge of risk management principles
• A structured /methodical approach to all planning/tracking tasks

DESIRABLE

• Knowledge of Single Source Regulatory framework
• Knowledge of Single Source Contract Regulations
• Knowledge of MoD Commercial and Accountancy procedures

Education, Qualifications or special training

ESSENTIAL

• Professional accountancy qualification or part qualification - CIMA
• Experience within a financial controlling and or project reporting department

DESIRABLE

• Experience of working with SAP
• Experience of Project accounting
• Experience of MoD Commercial and Accountancy procedures

Other requirements

• Travel within UK and occasional travel within Europe
• Full driving licence preferred but not essential
• Normal working hours (37½ per week), flexible working location available
• Eligible for MoD Security Clearance