Interim Commercial Accountant

Job Description

Location - Milton Keynes or London (minimum of two days a week in the office. You can do more than two days if preferable) plus some ad hoc travel to other CPC offices

Reporting to - Director of Finance

Band - 4.3

Salary - £80,000 - £85,000 (depending on location and proven ability)

Working hours - Full time (9 day fortnight companywide)

Contract type/duration - Fixed term contract until 31/03/25 (PAYE)

Closing date - 8th September 2024

If successful you will be contacted by a member of the recruitment team for an informal discussion ahead of formal interviews taking place 16th and 17th September on Teams

Connected Places Catapult (CPC) is the UK’s innovation accelerator for cities, transport, and places. We provide impartial ‘innovation as a service’ for public bodies, businesses, and infrastructure providers to catalyse step-change improvements in the way people live, work and travel. We connect businesses and public sector leaders to cutting-edge research to spark innovation and grow new markets. We run technology demonstrators and SME accelerators to scale new solutions that drive growth, spread prosperity, and eliminate carbon.

Requirements

We are seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Commercial Accountant to join our finance team on a fixed term basis. This is a key role in the team and is pivotal in driving organisational financial performance by working with key internal stakeholders and providing strategic decision-making support.

This role will oversee the development and continuous improvement of finance business partnering with colleagues in the Project Management team, PMO team, and other key teams in the organisation. Excellent interpersonal skills, analytical skills, and an in-depth understanding of excel are key.

Our organisation is going through a period of change, and this role is required to backfill the secondment of an existing team member.

Main responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing production of performance-related project finance information for Project Managers and Senior Leadership.
• Manage a team of 4 across the London and Milton Keynes offices whose main focus is to provide financial information and assistance to the Project Management and PMO teams.
• Provide quality assurance over our month end integrated excel project reporting schedules.
• Act as a trusted advisor to non-financial managers, helping them understand financial data and its implications.
• Develop, implement and continuously improve project finance reports with explanatory commentary for Project Managers so that they can make informed decisions.
• Manage the programme of project grant audits.
• Report on other relevant business performance metrics as may be required.
• Attend project governance meetings as a senior finance representative to report on any trends, variances, and recommending actions.
• Develop the team to help them grow and to provide a professionalised, continuously improving service.
• Coach and guide colleagues across the business to help improve their financial acumen and decision making, in particular the interpretation of financial information included in management reports.
• Liaise with key people in the business to provide ad hoc advice and assistance as necessary.
• Analyse financial project performance and provide actionable insights to management.
• Manage month-end and year-end closing activities, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Prepare and review reconciliations, accruals, and journal entries.
• Ensuring an ethos of equity, inclusivity and diversity underpin your work activity, contributing to inclusive innovation across all Catapult activities.
• You may be required to undertake any other reasonable duties to support the Catapult in achieving its strategic outcomes and ensure effective business operations

Qualifications and Skills

• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
• Significant experience in a similar role.
• Project accounting experience is desirable, as is experience of grant funding, commercial pricing and a professional services or consultancy business model.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Strong people management experience.
• Familiarity with financial regulations and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Proactive and results-oriented mindset.

Benefits

• 9 day fortnight for everyone, we have a full company shutdown every other Friday.
• 23.5 holiday entitlement for everyone, with pro-rata calculations for part-time employees, along with a Christmas shutdown period for additional days off.
• Competitive pension, up to 10% company contribution to help you save for your future.
• Two paid days of volunteering leave per year (pro-rata for part-time employees) to support charitable activities.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providing 24/7 confidential work/life support services to you and your immediate family members.
• Cycle to Work Scheme with bike racks and showers available, encouraging a healthy and sustainable commute.
• Cash Health Plan, offering reimbursement for a wide range of essential and everyday healthcare expenses, promoting your well-being.
• Payroll Giving scheme, allowing regular charitable contributions from pre-tax income, maximizing the impact of your donations.
• Discounts and offers from a wide variety of retailers, enhancing your purchasing power and providing savings opportunities.

Employment here is based solely upon individual merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. We strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law. We also make all reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under laws protecting the rights of the disabled.