Project Accountant Manager

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Location: London, UK

Contract type: Fixed term (maternity cover)

About ASI

Adam Smith International is a global advisory company that works locally to transform lives by making economies stronger, societies more stable, and governments more effective. Our clients are governments, international organisations, companies, and foundations. For three decades in almost one hundred countries, they have come to us to develop strategies and to design, deliver and evaluate programmes that address the big challenges facing the world.

As a development consultancy, our work centers on international development management. Our core team of staff and technical experts, in multiple offices around the world, ensures the quality of delivery and high ethical standards that we and our clients require. We bring together a global network of experts, who contribute their experience and knowledge, where and when it is needed. Our core service lines include education, infrastructure and climate change, inclusive markets, governance, justice, security and peacebuilding, public financial management and revenue reform, mining, oil and gas as well as cross cutting services, such as monitoring and evaluation.

As a company that works in countries at all stages of development, we are a certified B-Corp with a triple bottom line of financial, social and environmental accountability. In 2021, B-Corp selected us as one of the Best for the World™ B-Corps for "Workers" and "Customers". We have also set a strategic objective of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 and a net positive contributor to the environment by 2030. By sharing our knowledge and experience, we help to improve learning in our industry, as well as the positive impact we can have on people's lives.

Job Context

The Project Accounting Team (PAT) currently consists of 7 people split between 3 specialist areas of associate support, corporate accounting and project accounting. The Project Account (PA) is responsible for ensuring accuracy of project data held within the central finance systems and for reviewing the monthly billing process, supporting project managers in raising sales invoices and competently completing their financial duties. PA is responsible for financial performance of all projects within their remit and for escalating performance concerns to senior management.

Key Relationships

• Finance Director
• Regional Heads of Finance
• Head of Financial Planning and Reporting
• Project Accountant Team
• All Project Managers (PMs), Team Leaders, and Project Directors (PDs)
• Shared Services Team
• In country staff

Key Tasks

• Deliver spend burn rate analysis to improve forecasting and enhance risk tracking.
• Responsible for budgeting and forecasting process through PA team - engage with PD and PMs to ensure an accurate picture of project profitability and update MA as appropriate.
• Constructively challenge existing budget assumptions.
• Responsible for ensuring strict adherence to team deadlines for all PAT activities.
• Responsible for maintaining the Financial Framework performance of PMs and PAT staff; with monthly reporting.
• Projects' reconciliation: P&L and BS.
• Second line of contact, after FD, in reviewing and approving client contracts before bid submission.
• Data and Variance Analysis, including KPI reporting and preparing regular summary reports for each project for an Executive Team audience.
• Production of Management Accounts project listings and IATI reporting.
• PO support - checking the queue and closing unused POs for projects.
• Technical Support and Policy Adherence for Global PAs under matrix model.
• Ensure timely and accurate client billing.

Key Accountabilities

• Accountable for correct costs recognition, in line with relevant accounting standards, and the appropriate revenue recognition for fixed price projects.
• Accountable for project financial reporting and client invoicing timelines.
• Accountable for MI and MR reporting:
• WIP / WOWB / margin analysis (remedial plans) / performance reporting (training plans), with full narrative write ups for all stakeholders.
• Accountable for holding trouble-shooting training sessions for PMs / local staff as identified with PDs.
• Accountable for accuracy of project data maintained by PAT.
• Accountable for monthly PD meetings directly to discuss project outturn concerns.
• Accountability of UKs Project Accountants' Team line management and development.
• Accountable for their own portfolio of project work.

Key Qualifications

• ACCA/CIMA qualified is essential

Experience Required

• At least 3 years of post-qualified experience
• Experience using SAGE Intacct would be an advantage
• Must have a proven experience of using various ERP systems
• Very high standard excel user
• Proven track record in a corporate, highly professional environment - ideally international consultancy
• Project accounting experience
• Senior stakeholder engagement
• Previous line management experience
• Understanding of corporate taxation is desirable

Competencies

• Planning and delivering results
• Quality and accountability
• Continuous improvement
• Managing complexity
• Innovation and change management
• Communication and knowledge management
• Leadership and direction
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Personal impact and effectiveness
• Data validation

Knowledge

• Understanding of their role and understanding of finance departments functions
• Knowledge of reporting lines
• Understanding of when and how to raise concerns
• Knowledge of team goals and company vision and values
• Understanding of customer expectations and requirements
• Understanding of policies related to their job
• Knowledge of customer expectations and requirements

Skills

• Good verbal, written and numerical skills
• Impeccable attention to detail and focus
• Strong computer literacy
• Data story telling expertise

Attitude

• High level of emotional intelligence in the following areas: self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship management
• Shows empathy and patience.
• Proactive, self-starter, resourceful
• Open-minded, flexible approach to problem-solving.
• Resilient to changing circumstances and challenges.
• Achievement oriented.
• Trustworthy and able to keep information confidential.
• Reliable, professional, contentious and accountable.

How to apply

Interested candidates can submit their CV along with a short cover letter by 17th November.

Due to the high volume of CVs, we receive, we will only be able to contact candidates who are shortlisted.

Adam Smith International is committed to continually improving the diversity of our workforce through the attraction, retention, and development of a diverse range of talented people. We want people to be comfortable bringing their whole self to work and recognise that inclusion brings further opportunities for innovation and creativity.