Strategic Cost Accountant

Rathbones; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Rathbones is seeking a qualified accountant to support the Head of Strategic Costs Insight in Liverpool. The role involves delivering insight-led reporting on cost performance and identifying cost-optimisation opportunities.

Ideal candidates will have strong financial analysis skills and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. You will work collaboratively with the Finance team, driving continuous improvement initiatives and preparing Executive-level reports.

Qualifications

• Experience in synergy tracking and modelling.
• Ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong financial analysis experience in FP&A or strategic finance.
• Ability to interpret complex financial data into actionable insight.

Responsibilities

• Support provision of high-quality reporting on cost performance.
• Challenge cost owners on incurred costs and delivery of savings.
• Identify and communicate cost-optimisation opportunities.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Financial analysis

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Presentation skills

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

About the Role

Support the Head of Strategic Costs Insight (and wider Strategic Finance team) across a range of projects and regular reporting.

Responsibilities

• Support the provision of high‑quality, insight‑led reporting on cost performance, efficiency opportunities, and cost impact of strategic projects
• Cost‑savings target delivery tracked against business cases/plans, with risks and variances flagged
• Identification, quantification, and communication of cost‑optimisation opportunities to decision‑makers
• Opportunities to gain direct exposure to Executive members through ongoing work
• Ability to challenge cost owners on costs incurred and delivery of savings
• Long‑term potential for more autonomous work and development of skillset and profile within the organisation
• Timely delivery of high‑quality Executive‑level cost reporting with positive stakeholder feedback
• Delivery of agreed cost‑savings targets or timely reporting on savings shortfallsClear tracking and explanation of synergy realisation, including early identification and escalation of delivery risks or shortfalls

About you

• Challenging the business on optimisation of the cost base to support strategic decision‑making — ongoing and via special projects
• Strong communication skills with the ability to challenge and influence senior stakeholders
• Ability to work collaboratively across the Finance team and wider business
• Driving continuous cost improvement aligned to corporate strategy
• Experience of synergy tracking and modelling
• Assisting with preparation of Executive‑level reporting on cost base and opportunities
• High level of attention to detail, with strong organisational and prioritisation skills
• Ensuring cost performance, efficiency opportunities, and financial impacts of strategic initiatives are clearly understood by senior leadership
• Strong presentation and report‑writing skills
• Ability to adjust quickly to shifting priorities and organisational change
• Working with the core Accounting team to provide Finance Business Partnering services to the business as required
• Strong financial analysis experience, ideally within FP&A, commercial finance, cost management, or strategic finance
• Ability to interpret complex financial data and turn it into clear, actionable insight
• Involvement in synergy/CTA business cases
• Ability to work on confidential cost‑optimisation projects as required

Professional Experience and Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)