SKA Observatory is looking for a Project Accountant to lead the integration of our fixed asset financial management into the Unit4 ERP system. Reporting directly to the Finance Manager, you will play a crucial role in maintaining data integrity, overseeing system interactions, and automating reconciliations to streamline asset accounting processes.
Reporting to the Finance Manager, the Project Accountant will be the main Finance representative on the Observatory’s asset management project. Successful delivery of this project would see the financial accounting for fixed assets being migrated into and managed within the ERP System (Unit4 ERP). Owing to the complex nature of SKAO’s fixed assets, it is likely that the ERP System will need to interact with other asset management systems, and the Project Accountant will be responsible for ensuring data integrity and completeness, for example by building and automating any required reconciliations.
The Project Accountant will also work closely with the Project Management Group to ensure data regarding assets delivered to the SKAO from suppliers is accurate, timely and sufficient for Financial Reporting.
With regards to business-as-usual activities, the Project Accountant will be responsible for the maintenance and monthly updates of the Construction Fixed Asset Registers as well as preparing and posting all related journals such as capitalisation, depreciation, reclassification and disposals. The Project Accountant will also review the work performed by other members of the finance team for non-construction assets.
The Project Accountant will also create or redesign complex templates in Microsoft Excel as required by the Finance Manager or Group Financial Controller. Strong Excel skills are therefore vital in this role, as well as experience in working with large data sets.
This role offers the successful candidate the chance to be involved in making an impactful contribution in a cross-functional project to deliver the Observatory’s asset management systems, and to enhance the finance team’s existing processes in a number of areas.
This is a fixed term position with a duration of eighteen months and is based at the SKAO Headquarters at Jodrell Bank, Cheshire, UK.
SKAO is committed to providing an inclusive and flexible working environment, meeting the requests of our Colleagues whilst also fulfilling the needs and objectives of the Observatory.
This role requires the post holder to work across different time zones and, in line with SKAO policy, flexible working hours will be supported in agreement with the line manager.
The post holder will:
1. Collaborate with the Unit4 systems team to deliver the implementation of the Unit4 Fixed Asset module for all of SKAO’s asset accounting, ensuring compliance with international financial reporting standards;
2. Act as the finance lead in the cross-functional asset management working group, ensuring that financial accounting requirements are taken into consideration while working collaboratively to ensure the best long-term solution across all of the Observatory’s asset management procedures;
3. Create and maintain procedure notes and Internal Control Statement documentation for asset accounting and train finance and non-finance staff as required;
4. Maintain the tangible and intangible fixed asset registers;
5. Prepare and post related month-end journals;
6. Business partner SKAO Project Managers and external contractors to ensure sufficient and accurate asset information is received and recorded;
7. Work alongside the ERP System Manager and Finance Manager to continuously improve the ERP system finance processes and controls regarding the fixed asset module;
8. Create or redesign complex Excel templates for use by the global finance team, fostering a consistent global approach to financial reporting;
9. Support the annual external audit and any internal audits of the finance processes;
10. Occasional international travel as required;
11. Undertake any other reasonable duties, such as assisting with other business systems, as directed by the post holder’s line manager.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:
1. Qualified CCAB accountant (CMGA / CIMA / ACCA preferred) with proven experience in management accounting;
2. Significant experience in IFRS accounting for complex fixed assets accounting (including assets-under-construction, Components or Parent/Child Assets);
3. Experience delivering the end-to-end implementation or development of complex fixed asset accounting in an ERP system;
4. Experience in business partnering with non-finance staff;
5. Ability to self-manage projects through to completion;
6. Experience of building and developing highly complex modelling, variance analysis and templates in Microsoft Excel;
7. Experience within a multi-currency ERP system environment;
8. Experience of documenting policies, processes, risks and controls;
9. Effective oral and written communication skill;
10. Problem solver with ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to deadlines;
1. Experience of accounting for inventory, or financial processes involving warehousing;
2. Experience of supporting systems teams with interfaces between ERP and other systems, including performing complex reconciliations;
3. Experience of accounting for an IGO;
4. Knowledge of IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards);
5. Experience of working in a small-medium international group finance function;
6. Proficient in Unit4 ERP / Unit 4 Business World / Agresso;
7. Construction, not-for-profit, or research infrastructure industry experience, and/or a track record in successful collaborative links with industry.
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