Cost & Management Accountant

Cost & Management Accountant

Caxton Hill, Hertfordshire

Competitive

The Company

Stephen Austin Printing Group is a well-established provider of security printing and data services to governments and authorities in the UK and worldwide. The group comprises two operating companies – Stephen Austin: security printing and distribution services for examination and electoral bodies and GradeMaker: SAAS assessment software and data services for examination bodies. 

Overall Responsibility

The primary objective of the role is to ensure that the company is costing and billing contracts accurately and profitably, and that management are provided with information that enables good commercial decision-making in respect of these areas.

Areas of Responsibilities

1. Costing
a. Oversee accuracy of standing data on the costing system
b. Provide backup to the Commercial Director on the costing of large contracts
c. Continually review cost allocation and absorption methodology
d. Ensure accurate analysis of purchase invoices

2. Capital justification – prepare justifications for large scale asset purchases

3. Client invoicing – billing is complex, therefore prepare invoices for approval, and in particular liaise with client lead and the Commercial Director to ensure optimal billing for large and complex projects

4. Prepare “trading account” portion of monthly management accounts with specific emphasis on:
a. revised client billing / income forecasts
b. analysis of cost absorption variances
c. analysis of client / project profitability

5. Support the Financial Accountant in the preparation of budgets and cash flow forecasts.

6. Identify areas where procedural improvements could benefit the company.

7. Carry out ad hoc analysis, reporting and investigation as and when required.  

Personal Requirements

Ideal candidates will have experience working in this capacity within manufacturing or industrial organisations and:
•    Hold a finance degree and/or working towards a professional accounting qualification (ACCA, ACA, CIMA).
•    Be IT literate and have experience using production systems.
•    Strong MS office skills, including advance/intermediate Excel.
•    Have effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build strong cross departmental relationships to help embed our business partnering processes.

In return, you will be paid a competitive salary, with excellent benefits in a supportive and progressive environment.