Senior Project Accountant

Venture Recruitment Partners; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career development

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Venture Recruitment Partners is seeking an experienced Senior Project Accountant/Controller to oversee end-to-end financials across a portfolio of projects. You will partner with project managers and senior stakeholders to ensure profitability and strategic alignment.

The role emphasizes forecasting, reporting, and robust controls across the project lifecycle, with opportunities to influence commercial decisions in a dynamic, growing environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in project controlling, accounting, or financial analysis within complex organisations.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, cost control and performance management capabilities.
• Proficient with ERP systems and advanced financial modelling in Excel.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial management of multiple projects, including budgeting, forecasting and cost tracking.
• Provide financial insight and challenge to project managers and senior stakeholders.
• Prepare monthly project reports with profitability analysis and variance commentary.
• Support project planning, commercial strategy and performance improvement initiatives.
• Maintain robust financial controls and assist with audits.

Skills

Project controlling

Project accounting

Financial analysis

Excel modelling

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Finance or accounting degree

Tools

ERP systems

Advanced Excel

Job description

Our client, a global leader operating within a highly technical and project-driven environment, is seeking an experienced Project Accountant /Analyst to join their Finance team. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional to take ownership of the financial performance of a diverse portfolio of complex projects and work closely with senior operational stakeholders.

The successful candidate will act as a trusted business partner to Project Managers and leadership teams, providing financial insight, challenge, and support to ensure projects are delivered successfully, profitably, and in line with strategic objectives.

The Role

As Senior Project Accountant /Controller, you will be responsible for providing end-to-end financial oversight across multiple projects, ensuring robust controls, accurate forecasting, and clear performance reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the financial management of multiple complex projects, including budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and performance analysis.
• Partner with Project Managers and senior stakeholders to drive financial accountability and commercial awareness.
• Participate in project review meetings, monitoring progress against milestones, identifying risks, and ensuring timely revenue recognition and invoicing.
• Provide financial input into project planning, commercial strategy, investment decisions, and performance improvement initiatives.

Reporting & Commercial Analysis

• Produce and present high-quality monthly project reports, including profitability analysis, variance reporting, risk assessments, and executive-level commentary.
• Translate complex financial information into meaningful business insights to support decision-making.
• Proactively identify and communicate emerging risks and opportunities.
• Support project valuations and month-end/year-end close activities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards and company policies.
• Maintain strong financial controls across projects, ensuring contractual and commercial obligations are effectively managed.
• Act as the key finance contact for project-related internal and external audits.
• Drive continuous improvement of project finance processes, reporting standards, and control frameworks.

About You

We are looking for a confident and initiative-taking finance professional who enjoys working closely with operations and influencing business outcomes. You will be comfortable operating in fast-paced project environments, challenging stakeholders where appropriate, and providing clear financial guidance to support successful project delivery.

Skills & Experience

• Experience within project controlling, project accounting, or financial analysis roles in complex organisations.
• Good knowledge of project accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial performance management.
• Experience working with ERP systems and advanced Excel skills with strong financial modelling and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Proven experience working within cross-functional teams and balancing commercial and operational requirements.
• Comfortable working in a fast changing business undergoing systems implementation.
• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary of circa £60,000
• Hybrid working (2-3 days on site and 2-3 WFH) with flexibility on hours.
• Opportunity to work on large-scale, complex projects within an innovative and growing organisation.
• High levels of stakeholder exposure and influence
• Collaborative and dynamic working environment
• Career development and progression opportunities