Assistant Governance Accountant

Job Title: Assistant Governance Accountant

Location: Preston; Lancashire. 2 days a week onsite (Monday &Tuesday) and a team meeting every third Thursday of the month with flexibility required. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £30,000 depending on experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

We are looking for an Assistant Governance Accountant to join our Governance Operations team. This is an excellent opportunity for an aspiring finance professional to develop their career within a governance-focused finance environment. You will support the development of financial controls, governance reporting and assurance activities, while gaining exposure to data analytics, process improvement and business governance. The role offers excellent training and development opportunities, providing a solid foundation for future progression within finance.

Core duties:

• Support the development of standardised financial control metrics and reporting tools
• Provide assurance activities for delegation of authority processes and governance reporting
• Conduct fraud risk analysis investigations and support associated reporting activities
• Assist with business continuity management activities and assurance validations
• Support compliance with the information and records management policy
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives, including controls mapping and data analysis
• Develop process maps and enhance reporting capabilities across the team
• Become a SharePoint Site Owner to maintain a sites metadata and user access
• Provide support to the wider team on key deliverables during peak periods

Essential Skills:

• Part-qualified CIMA, ACCA or ACA, or AAT qualified / working towards an accounting qualification
• Experience working within a finance role
• Understanding of financial accounting principles and accounting processes, including accounts payable, payroll and purchasing
• Excel skills, including the use of Power Query for reporting and analysis
• Comfortable working with digital technologies
• Experience using Power BI and/or Tableau would be highly advantageous

The Governance Operations Team:

The Governance Operations Team sits within the UK and International Governance Capability Centre and plays a key role in supporting governance, financial control and assurance activities. As part of the team, you will gain valuable exposure to financial governance, reporting and data analytics while working on projects that support the wider business. With excellent training, support and career development opportunities available, this role provides an ideal platform for someone looking to build a long-term career in finance and governance.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 4th November 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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