Project Cost Specialist

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Primary Purpose and key responsibilities of the Role:

Thales is a leading force both in the UK and globally, operating in several markets - aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space.

Integrated Airspace-protection Systems (IAS) operates primarily within the defence market delivering equipment & services, but also has a presence in the space market building satellite propulsion systems. The IAS business is predominantly based in Belfast and Templecombe. With the finance team based at the Belfast site, as such this role will be Belfast based.

IAS finance is now searching for a talented individual to join the team as a Project Accountant.  As such, you will be responsible for supporting the finances across a portfolio of key projects and functions across the IAS UK footprint. The role is broad and will be a challenging & rewarding opportunity where your contribution to the team will have a real impact on the success of the business as a whole.

Main responsibilities:

• Preparation of monthly review packs for portfolio and project managers
• Prepare project analysis & cost reports and propose corrective action(s).
• Prepare Consolidated Project Reports
• Completing rolling forecasts
• Preparing Monthly Finance Project Reviews
• Liaise with Project Managers/ Product Accountants/Industry Managers
• Providing timely and accurate financial data to support successful management of the business.
• Ensure requirements SSRO reporting are fulfilled, highlighting any controls weakness and understanding the commercial environment.
• Liaising closely with the manufacturing function and understand the evolution of the product.
• Supporting the manufacturing integration within products
• Justifying project work in progress
• Contributing to the mitigation of project risk
• Prepare contract estimates for Multi Year Budget & rolling monthly forecast information o
• Work closely with the wider IAS finance team providing analysis & support.
• Ensure portfolio of projects meets all audit demands
• Advance the development of IT tools, reporting techniques and skills through Oracle, digi dashboards and BI portals
• Ensure financial integrity and adherence to process (UK GAAP, Chorus 2.0) including IFRS 15.
• Highlight control weakness and escalate governance issues to Head of Finance
• Provide financial guidance to project control team
• Provide key inputs for the production of internal and external audit requirements
• Carrying out month end processing activities,
• Adhering to month end timetable
• Review cost certificates
• Continually improving data conception and accounting

Essential

• You must be highly motivated and passionate about your ability to bring value
• You must have proven ability to interact & communicate complex issues, across a wide range of stakeholders.
• You must have a strong understanding of ERP systems (ideally Oracle), TM1 experience, Power BI
• You have track record of being able to quickly assimilate and analyse technical, financial  data & information
• You must have five years’ experience in proven relevant experience in a financial/accounting/manufacturing environment.
• You have clear experience in providing financial analysis in a moving technical environment, decision making and risk analysis in a continually changing environment.
• ICAI, ACCA, CIMA or ACCA (or equivalent) or, proven relevant experience in a financial/accounting background providing leadership with evidence of establishing continuous improvement and delivery.
• You must have strong IT skills, highly proficient in MS Excel
• Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the potential along with the challenges of delivering high quality financial operations

Desirable

• You should be a keen team player, energetic self-starter with a pro-active and challenging approach to issues
• Three years’ experience Manufacturing background
• Two years’ experience as a Project Accountant
• Experience providing strategic leadership within a large complex environment
• Experience in SSRO reporting and commercial sensitives within Defence industry

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At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.

If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.

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