Job description
Cost Performance Accountant – Contract (Inside IR35)
Day Rate: £520 per day (Inside IR35)
Clearance: BPSS
Location: Frimley (Hybrid)
Contract Length: 12 months
Overview
A leading organisation within a complex, engineering-led environment is seeking a Cost Performance Accountant to join its Finance Transformation function. You will play a crucial role in delivering high-quality FP&A outputs, accurate forecasting, and insightful cost analysis that supports effective decision-making across the business.
You will work closely with finance stakeholders and operational teams, becoming a trusted partner and a key contributor to financial governance, cost visibility, and process improvement. The role is aligned to a major ERP transformation programme, supporting the design and implementation of standardised processes and best-practice reporting.
Key Responsibilities
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Support delivery of an ERP programme alongside finance, payroll, and operations teams, ensuring optimal system design for Cost Performance and Payroll.
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Collaborate with finance teams across the organisation to develop standardised, SAP-aligned processes.
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Contribute to the implementation of enhanced reporting and forecasting using modern SAP analytics tools.
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Identify opportunities for process improvement to drive efficiency and alignment with finance modernisation initiatives.
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Support teams in the UK and internationally to ensure consistent, high-quality FP&A output.
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Provide financial guidance on budgets, forecasts, cost transformation, and profitability drivers.
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Present complex financial insights clearly to senior stakeholders across multiple business functions.
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Maintain a strong financial controls environment.
What Good Looks Like
Candidates with experience in complex, matrixed organisations—ideally within defence, engineering, aerospace, or large-scale manufacturing—will be well suited to this role.
Essential Skills & Experience
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Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
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Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills.
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Demonstrable understanding of finance best practice.
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Proven ability to build strong cross-functional stakeholder relationships.
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SAP experience is essential; SME or super-user level highly beneficial.
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Payroll accounting experience.
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Demonstrated FP&A and cost management expertise.
Additional Information
Candidates must have permanent and unrestricted right to work in the UK. BPSS clearance is required prior to starting.