Assistant Project Accountant

As part of the SNC-Lavalin Group we operate as a global fully integrated professional services and project management company – including capital investment, consulting, design, engineering, construction, sustaining capital and operations and maintenance. Together, SNCL has over 50,000 employees and annual revenues of approximately C$12 billion.

We are looking for an Assistant Project Accountant to join the Project Accounting team within the Middle East Shared Services Function (SSF or more commonly known as Central Finance). The Assistant Project Accountant will report to the Finance Manager – Project Reporting.

The Project Accounting team is responsible for client related finance reports (invoicing, debt, collections), management of our time booking system and utilisation reporting. The department supports our Sector Finance teams with their project accounting and their monthly management accounting. The team also ensures compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures and maintains and evaluates internal controls which govern the core Project Accounting processes.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Project Accountant is a business facing role and excellent communication, combined with a strong sense of high quality, accuracy and responsive delivery is critical to the role.

Core responsibilities will include:

• Provide Project Accounting support to one or more business Sectors across the Middle East and Africa.
• Manage the time bookings for the assigned Sectors and review subsequent utilisation against targets.
• Preparation of periodical reports and reconciliations to be submitted to the business and / or Group.
• Assist in preparation and posting of client invoices, receipts, statements of accounts and debt reports.
• Provide support on project enquiries and bids as required.
• Work closely with Sector Finance to prepare monthly Sector accounts and project budgets/forecasts.
• Assist in the review of individual Project Summary Reports and associated accounting.
• Ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures and use of best project accounting practices.
• Coordinating with, and providing samples to, internal and external auditors.
• Ensure accuracy of workflow and completion within the specified deadlines.
• Develop strong working relationships with team members and key stakeholders.
• Ad-hoc support to relevant business improvement projects.
• Work closely with a number of other team members.
• Seek opportunities to learn new skills and aspire to develop within the team.

Requirements

Technical Competencies

Essential

• Minimum of at least 3 years’ experience in finance/project accounting with a Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline.
• Some of, if not all, project accounting experience should be in a ‘time-charge’ environment.
• Good understanding of a project lifecycle and the different measures of financial performance.
• Has prepared project related financial reports and reconciliations, in particular, relating to; project expenses, billing, debt, provisions and utilisation.
• Has been exposed to project budgets and forecasts and understands the concept of ‘variations’. 
• Experience in preparing General Ledger journal entries.
• Proven track record of producing accurate reports in a timely manner.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel (ability to build custom models is an advantage).
• Working knowledge of other Microsoft Office tools;
• High standard of (numerical) presentation skills;
• Excellent communication in English (both written and oral).
• Experience of interacting with multiple businesses and finance functions;
• Experience of working within a multi-cultural environment;
• Proven ability to develop strong working relationships and communicate effectively at all levels.

  Desirable

• Part / Fully Qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA/CPA or other recognised Accounting qualification;
• Has Finance experience working on a major project or within a Sector Finance department.
• Has relevant industry experience in Construction, Engineering or a relevant Consultancy.
• Working knowledge of JD Edwards, Hyperion Finance Management (HFM), Smart View and other specific IT systems and databases;

  Behavioural

  Essential

• Initiative – Able to work independently with minimum supervision, make suggestions on best practices.
• Problem Solving – Can think of creative solutions to problems.
• Analytical – Able to analyse large volumes of date and clearly communicate findings.
• Teamwork – Willingly cooperate with others towards the same goals and objectives.
• Communication skills – Clear, concise and relevant in both the verbal and written form.
• Time Management – Can prioritise, plan ahead and achieve objectives within strict deadlines.
• Cultural Awareness – Able to work within a diverse team and to engage all colleagues.