Project Accountant - Havant Thicket Reservoir

Portsmouth Water; Langstone; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme (up to 15%)

Non-contractual bonus up to 6% of base

Family leave and pay enhancements

Private medical insurance (Bupa)

Wellbeing support and Employee Assist.

Job summary

Portsmouth Water is seeking a Project Accountant to support the Finance Manager on the Havant Thicket Reservoir programme. You’ll provide financial insight, control, and reporting across CRA and AWA workstreams to help deliver compliant, value-focused outcomes.

You will lead budgeting, forecasting, monthly accounts and investor reporting, while maintaining robust controls and timely cashflow reporting. Flexible working arrangements and a strong benefits package are available.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills demanded.
• Analytical ability to review cost reports and provide decision support.
• Knowledge of accounting regulations, capital allowances and tax.
• Excellent Excel; proficient with PowerPoint, Word and Teams.
• Understanding of construction industry and project team activities.
• Experience with large construction projects and contract management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain robust financial controls for the project.
• Ensure financial controls are adequate, adhered to, and reviewed periodically.
• Develop and maintain the project budget, spend and forecasting through to completion.
• Ensure supplier costs are reflected in monthly management accounts.
• Liaise with the project team to prepare programme costs for reporting.
• Produce monthly accounts and reports for investors, Southern Water and Portsmouth Water.
• Provide ad hoc decision support reports as required.
• Support regulatory reporting and engagement with stakeholders.
• Manage spend control processes and cashflow reporting with contractors.
• Support year-end financial reporting procedures.
• Assist in producing monthly Steerco and JPAG reports and Sub Group Pack.
• Assist in Finance month end and reporting packs.

Skills

Strong communication

Analytical skills

Excel

ERP software

Contract management

Project accounting

Construction industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in mathematics, accounting or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Teams

Contract Management ERP software

Job description

We’re making a difference: Together, we can ensure that there is enough water for everyone, now and in the future.

The Project Accountant will play a pivotal role in supporting the Finance Manager and driving the financial success of the Havant Thicket Reservoir project. Working across both the CRA and AWA workstreams, you’ll provide essential financial insight, control, and reporting to help ensure this major infrastructure programme delivers strong, compliant, and value-focused outcomes. This is a chance to contribute to a landmark project shaping the future of water resilience for the region.

What will you be doing?

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain robust financial controls for the project

• Ensure that financial controls are adequate, adhered to and are periodically reviewed

• Develop and maintain the project budget, spend and forecasting for the project through to completion

• Ensuring that supplier costs are reflected accurately in the monthly management accounts

• Liaise closely with the project team to prepare programme costs for reporting

• Produce the project’s monthly accounts and generate monthly reports for the investors, Southern Water and Portsmouth Water

• Provide ad hoc decision support reports as required, for example to aid dispute resolution or evaluate impact of change

• Support regulatory reporting and engagement with Key stakeholders

• Manage the spend control processes, ensuring that invoices are paid to contractors and raised to Southern Water in accordance with contractual commitments and with appropriate cashflow reporting

• Support the year-end financial reporting procedures

• Support in producing the monthly Steerco and JPAG reports together with any additional papers

• Support in producing the Finance month end and Sub Group Pack

What do you need?

Skills, Qualifications & Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Good analytical skills with the ability to review cost consultant and project managers reports in order to generate meaningful financial reports and provide decision support

• Appreciation of accounting regulations, management of capital allowances and tax

• Excellent Excel skills. Proficient in the use of Powerpoint, Word and Teams

• An understanding of the construction industry and professional services

• Good knowledge of the roles and activities of project teams, encompassing, quantity surveyors, project managers, programme and risk management

• Appreciation of contract management methodology, with experience of managing accounts for large construction projects

• Bachelors degree in mathematics, accounting or a related field of study

• More than 5 years of experience of project accounting for large or complex construction programmes

• Professionally qualified or qualified by experience

• Experience of using Contract Management and ERP software would be an advantage

• Ideally, the successful candidate will have a recognised supervisory qualification or be able to give a commitment to obtain such a qualification

If you are successful for the role, you will be required to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) pre-employment checks that will include a basic disclosure check. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the national security vetting process for either a CTC or SC clearance check. Any offer of employment is conditional upon completion and receipt of satisfactory checks.

We recognise people want to work in a variety of different ways, and that’s why we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Please feel free to talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may be looking for.

Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications — so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society.

Please be aware, the Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Due to the high volume of applications we may receive, we’re unable to respond to every applicant individually. If your application is of interest, we’ll usually be in touch within 4 weeks of receiving it.

What can Portsmouth Water offer you?

At Portsmouth Water, we believe in rewarding our people. Here’s just a taste of what’s waiting for you when you join the team:

Holidays Made Better

Enjoy 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays.

A Pension That Works for You

We’ll help secure your future with a generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15%

Performance Pays Off

You could earn a non-contractual bonus of up to 6% of your basic salary, linked to company performance.

Family Comes First

Whether you’re welcoming a new arrival through birth or adoption, we’ve got your back with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay.

Social Events

All expenses covered summer and winter social events.

Peace of Mind, Always

Our life assurance scheme gives your loved ones extra security, with a 4x salary lump sum benefit in case the unexpected happens.

Comprehensive Wellbeing Support

Whether you need confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme, or physical health support via our Virtual GP service (available 8am-10pm, 7 days a week for you and your immediate family), help is always close at hand with the HealthHero app.

Additional Support When You Need It

We know life has its ups and downs. That’s why we offer Private Medical Insurance – provided by Bupa giving you access to expert healthcare and 24/7 confidential support.

PW Perks – Treat Yourself!

Enjoy exclusive discounts at thousands of retailers, plus exciting benefits like:

• Electric Vehicle Scheme (after 1 year)

• Cycle to Work Scheme

• Health Cash Plan…and so much more!