Project Accountant - London, UK (Hybrid)

Zinc Network; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Project Accountant to ensure financial integrity and compliance across various projects. This role involves managing project finances, preparing reports, and providing critical insights to support decision-making. You'll work closely with diverse teams, ensuring adherence to donor requirements while maintaining operational efficiency. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that address complex global issues. If you have a strong background in financial management and a passion for impactful work, this could be the perfect fit for you!

Qualifications

• Experience in project accounting with strong financial tracking and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of donor compliance for international development projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project finances ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Prepare monthly invoices and conduct month-end reconciliations.
• Provide financial insights to project teams and support audits.

Skills

Financial Tracking

Budgeting

Reporting

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Education

Part Qualified/Actively studying towards accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA)

3+ years of experience in project accounting

Tools

Advanced Excel

ERP Systems

Job description

Introducing Zinc Network

Zinc Network is a business dedicated to meaningful, measurable change. Zinc conceptualizes and creates programs, interventions, and strategic communications campaigns around some of the world's most complex problems -- from disinformation to extremism, media capture to authoritarianism.

We are headquartered in London with 60+ team members from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Zinc works with a broad range of governmental, NGO, and private sector clients, including the UK Home Office (HO); the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Outline of the job

The Project Accountant is responsible for comprehensive financial tracking, reporting, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements while providing critical financial insights to project teams. This role focuses on maintaining financial integrity across projects and supporting operational efficiency through accurate financial management.

The Project Accountant will be based in the UK and be expected to be in our London office at least 2 days per week. The role will report to the Director of Group Finance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Financial Management & Reporting
• Oversee all aspects of project finances, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Track actual costs against budget and forecast in finance systems and cost trackers
• Prepare and review monthly invoices with operations teams and project managers
• Conduct month-end reconciliations, variance analysis, and burn rate monitoring
• Ensure timely and accurate invoicing to donors
• Process and review complex journal entries, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards
• Manage and reconcile inter-company transactions related to projects
• Oversee foreign currency transactions for international projects when applicable
• Budgeting & Cost Control
• Support the development of project budgets and financial forecasts
• Maintain comprehensive cost trackers to support project teams
• Ensure new resources added to the budget align with budgeted margin
• Work with operations teams to update financial forecasts regularly
• Provide financial insights that enable informed decision-making
• Analyse financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities
• Compliance & Audits
• Ensure project expenses align with donor requirements and contractual terms
• Support financial audits and implement recommendations
• Implement and maintain internal controls for project finances
• Develop and maintain project accounting policies and procedures
• Ensure documentation is complete and compliant with financial regulations
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Work closely with project and operations managers to provide financial insights
• Support BD team in financial aspects of proposal development
• Provide regular financial reports to project managers and senior management
• Act as the main point of contact for project finance-related inquiries
• Represent Zinc at meetings with clients and project partners when needed
  

All while embodying the values of Zinc Network

Requirements


Education:

• Part Qualified/Actively studying towards an accounting qualification preferred (e.g., CPA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Minimum 3 years of experience in project accounting or similar role
• Strong experience with financial tracking, reporting, and forecasting
• Knowledge of donor compliance requirements for international development projects
• Experience with month-end close processes and reconciliations
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial systems
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective communication skills and ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Experience with ERP systems (preferred)
• Knowledge of international accounting standards (preferred)
  
  
  

Area of Selection

We're committed to hiring a diverse workforce from different professional and cultural backgrounds, and to that end we encourage a variety of people to apply to join our company to represent the diverse range of subjects associated with our projects.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates who receive a job offer will be required to:

• Disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking-related activities) or workplace investigation
• Undergo background checks including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting
  
  
  

How To Apply

Please include a cover letter stating how you meet each of the requirements.

If you require an accommodation to be made at any point throughout the recruitment process, please advise us when contacted.