Project Accountant
Queens Island, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Full-time
Finance
Permanent
Company Description
Navantia UK is a UK incorporated company, subsidiary of Spanish Navantia, created to work with UK industrial partners in shipbuilding, defence and in offshore wind energy. With a history that goes back more than 300 hundred years, Navantia is a world reference in the design, building, integration and life cycle support of state-of-the-art war ships for the Spanish Navy and international customers and has extensive experience in ToT programmes.
Job Description
Project Accountant
Role Overview:
We are seeking a commercially astute Project Accountant with strong cost management capability to act as a key financial partner across major programmes within the Business Unit. This role goes beyond traditional accounting. You will play a pivotal role in financial planning, cost control, forecasting accuracy and performance improvement, ensuring projects are delivered within budget and aligned to strategic objectives.
As a trusted advisor to the Head of BMO and Project Managers, you will provide robust financial insight, challenge assumptions, and drive disciplined cost governance across complex programmes.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Planning & Cost Control:
- Lead the preparation and management of project budgets (POA), forecasts and long-range financial projections.
- Monitor project performance against Budget at Completion (BAC), identifying risks, cost overruns and efficiency opportunities.
- Deliver detailed variance analysis with clear, data-driven recommendations to Project Managers and CAM Leads.
- Lead the financial agenda within Cost Account Management (CAM) meetings, providing challenge and insight.
- Manage and report on contingency usage in line with internal governance procedures.
- Forecasting & Commercial Insight
- Support the development of accurate Estimate at Completion (EAC) and profitability forecasts.
- Analyse key financial metrics including cash flow, margin, cost trends and working capital impact.
- Provide financial modelling to support scenario planning and decision-making.
- Coordinate OPI and OPE cost data and complete indexation calculations.
Governance & Compliance:
- Ensure accurate cost allocation to project codes and cost centres within ERP systems.
- Support financial review of contracts, subcontracts, change orders and risk registers.
- Ensure compliance with internal financial policies, procedures and reporting standards.
- Contribute to month-end reporting and submission of results to Accounting.
Continuous Improvement:
- Implement best practices in project financial management and earned value cost control.
- Identify process improvements to enhance cost predictability, reporting quality and profitability.
- Support budget reallocations and financial re-baselining where required.
What We’re Looking For:
Experience:
- Significant experience in project accounting or cost accounting within complex, project-based environments (marine, construction, engineering or manufacturing preferred).
- Demonstrated success managing financials for large, multi-disciplinary programmes.
- Strong experience in cost control, forecasting, earned value analysis and performance reporting.
- Experience using ERP systems (SAP PS & FICO highly desirable).
Skills & Capabilities:
- Strong analytical capability with advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
- Commercially minded with the confidence to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.
- Ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights.
- High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Strong communication skills, capable of engaging both finance and non-finance colleagues.
Level & Autonomy:
- Operates independently across most aspects of project financial management.
- Manages medium to moderately complex projects.
- Exercises judgement in forecasting, cost analysis and financial risk evaluation.
- Influences decision-making within project and BU leadership teams.
- Coaches’ others on cost management best practice where required.
Working Environment:
- Office-based in Belfast with occasional travel as required.
- May require flexibility during peak reporting periods.
Why This Role?
This is an opportunity to play a strategic role within a high-value programme environment, partnering closely with senior stakeholders and directly influencing financial performance. The successful candidate will gain exposure to complex project structures and contribute meaningfully to commercial success and operational excellence.
Qualifications
Education & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or related discipline.
- Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CMA or equivalent) preferred.
Additional Information:
An immediate start is available for the right candidate, offering a fast-paced and engaging opportunity.