Senior Project Accountant

Venture Recruitment Partners; Southampton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Venture Recruitment Partners are recruiting a Senior Project Controller in Southampton with a hybrid working pattern. The role is to oversee end-to-end project finances and partner with project managers to ensure profitability and strategic alignment.

You will manage budgeting, forecasting, and cost control across a portfolio of complex projects, deliver robust reporting, and support audits. The successful candidate will combine technical accounting expertise with strong stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• 5-7 years' experience in project controlling, project accounting, or financial analysis in complex projects.
• Strong knowledge of project accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• ERP experience; NetSuite is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end financial oversight across multiple projects, ensuring robust controls and accurate forecasting.
• Produce monthly project reports with profitability analysis and executive commentary.
• Support audits and maintain strong financial controls across projects.
• Collaborate with project managers and senior stakeholders to drive commercial accountability.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder management

Forecasting

Cross-functional teams

Education

Degree in Finance/Accounting/Business Administration

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Senior Project Controller

Southampton / hybrid
Salary: £55,000 - £60,000

Our client, a global leader operating within a highly technical and project-driven environment, is seeking an experienced Project Accountant 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 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

Project Financial Management

• 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.

Financial Controls & Governance

• 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

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 5-7 years' experience within project controlling, project accounting, or financial analysis roles in complex project-based organisations.
• Strong knowledge of project accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial performance management.
• Experience working with ERP systems; NetSuite experience would be advantageous.
• 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.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary of £55,000 - £60,000
• 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