Project Accountant - Client Side

Project Accountant - Client-Side Location: London Contract type: Permanent Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum + excellent package Working in partnership with the most prestigious client-side organisation, we are looking to recruit an exceptional Project Accountant. Joining an established in-house team, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing project accounting expertise to the PMO, including regular reporting on expenditure against budget and approved business cases, and ensuring all financial and commercial aspects of the project are documented in line with NAO requirements. The post holder will work with the Commercial Director provide robust forecasting for the Senior Responsible Officer and the Accounting Officer and oversee all transactions on the project account. Principal Accountabilities: Financial, Contract and Systems Management To maintain the project accounts for the purposes of recording all costs and transactions relating to the delivery of the Reservicing Programme. Prepare annual and 3 year rolling, and long term project budgets to include all costs of design, works and staffing of the projects which will make up the Reservicing Programme. Prepare monthly financial reporting illustrating financial progress against budget, preparing detailed variance analysis both numerically and graphically. This includes the production of financial reports for review at various governance boards and by the NAO. Prepare lead schedules for consolidation in Annual Report and Account of Sovereign Grant, provide evidence for NAO and respond to queries. Act as a key liaison point between NAO, Client Finance team and PMO on audit matters. Lead on all matters relating to accounts payable, liaising with the PMO Project Manager or contract lead, to the value and validity of invoices submitted by contractors and consultants. Support the procurement process working with the Cost Consultant (Gleeds) to ensure that project budgets are maintained and that all members of the team are aware of budgets, and any inclusions or exclusions from the project budget. Manage the process with the Client Procurement Team to ensure that all relevant Standing Financial Instructions are observed. To act as the key interface with the Client Finance Team, ensuring that the finance systems of the Client are kept up to date and accurately reflect the costs and transactions relating to the project, working closely with the purchase ledger team and the Finance Manager. To work alongside finance colleagues and the PMO Commercial Director, to develop and manage financial control and protocols to be applied to the project, ensuring that these align with existing process and financial rules. People Management To work with all stakeholders involved in the project(s), including the design team, cost consultants, procurement and finance staff to ensure that all parties aware fully aware of the financial performance of the project and are made aware of any challenges or issues. Work in close liaison with the PMO Commercial Director, providing support and guidance to the PMO Directors on all financial matters relating to the projects providing briefings and reports as required, establishing a process of early warnings. To work closely with the PMO Cost Co-ordinator and the PMO Controls & Reporting Manager, ensuring all costs are captured accurately and reported effectively for review at the relevant governance boards. Project Management To liaise closely with the PMO team to agree project budgets, cashflows, contractual retentions and contractor payment schedules. Work with the Cost Consultant and client Procurement team to assist in the production of tender analysis, ensuring that tender returns align with project budgets and advising were these may exceed budget and therefore require value engineering to be undertaken. Undertake regular reviews of resources being utilised on the project, maintaining the resource schedule and updating the associated cash flows. To attend monthly Project Status Report (PSR) meetings, alongside the Commercial Director and provide updates on each individual project's financial status. Compliance and Risk Management To ensure that all relevant statutory compliance and legislative requirements are met; that associated policies and procedures (internal and external) are known and adhered to; to ensure that corrective measures are taken when necessary to address any issues of non-compliance. Assist the Commercial Director in quantifying risks and assessing their financial impact and making provisions in the project account as required and agreeing action plans to reduce cost impacts and produce exception reports. Provide data and financial information as required for Project Assessment and Gateway reviews and agree timetables for the production and dissemination of information. To ensure all financial documents and information is kept up to date and processes are correctly applied, in line with NAO requirements. This role will act as the key liaison point for the Client Finance Team in the annual audit process, making sure all requested documents are provided by the PMO in a timely manner and accurately reflect the information required. Stakeholder Management To pro-actively manage stakeholder relationships and communicate regularly to internal and external stakeholders (including the client and all those affected by the works) on the progress and impact of works so as to minimise disruption. To attend the Financial Review Group (FRG), alongside the Commercial Director and provide updates on the project accounts. To liaise closely with customers to ensure the service provided meets their needs and expectations and that the highest levels of customer service are delivered. Person Specification Ideally educated to degree level and a fully qualified accountant with a good understanding of IFRS/IAS. Familiarity with FReM would be beneficial. Preferably with experience of managing financial transactions on large capital programmes in the public sector, including a thorough understanding of public sector governance and audit requirements. First-rate project/programme management skills. Able to manage a varied portfolio of work, tight programmes, adapt to changing circumstances and prioritise work/resources. Demonstrable experience in relation to statutory compliance and risk management. Proven experience to deliver a portfolio of projects, with detailed programme management of works in an occupied and live environment. Adept at managing complex stakeholder relationships, with a diplomatic and collaborative approach, natural interpersonal skills and the ability to influence at all levels. The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across functional and geographical boundaries, where flexibility and a 'can do' approach to teamwork is essential. Proven experience of budget management, cost control and contract management, ideally gained within a value for money environment. Good people management and contractor relationship management skills. A logical problem solver with good judgement and decision making capability. Able to remain level-headed under pressure. Genuinely passionate about and familiar with a customer-driven approach to the delivery of property services, with a rigorous approach to standards of internal customer service and continuous improvement. IT literate with a good working knowledge of MS Office, and ideally experience of programme management software. If you are interested in the role, and fit the above criteria, please get in touch with Sam Lee on email: s.lee@capstone-recruitment.com or via phone 020 3757 5000. Transparency Notice to Prospective Candidates We process certain personal information about you for our legitimate business interests in order to identify and contact suitable candidates about positions that may be relevant to them. At Capstone Property Recruitment Ltd we respect your Privacy details all of which are set out in our Privacy Policy on our website at www.capstone-recruitment.com .If you don't want to be contacted by us about potential positions that may be of interest to you in the future, then please email our Data Protection Officer at dpo@capstone-recruitment.com