Assistant Project Accountant (Shipping) – 12 Month Contract

We have an urgent requirement for an Assistant Accountant offering a background in Shipping and who is available for a 12 month maternity contract for a role that primarily entails taking responsibility for making accounting entries, cash movements, account reconciliations and reporting of underlying projects, vessels and entities as necessary, ensuring all vessel accounts are accurate, relevant and timely.

Primary Job Responsibilities and Measurement:

To undertake accounting and reporting tasks related to projects, vessels or entities that result in robust, timely, accurate and well-informed outcomes (i.e. in-line with contractual and operational business status). Work continuously with and alongside commercial and vessel staff to provide accounting and financial support, either supporting or taking the lead as circumstances and best practice dictate. The main functional areas of responsibility are:

Ensure adherence to required financial controls, reconciliations and processes and manage each vessel’s ship management funds and cost disbursements (inc. cash calls, accruals, ledgers and payments);
Preparing an accurate, consistent and timely owner’s statement / report for review, backed-up with comprehensive and well-maintained filing, reconciliations and documentary evidence, available on request;
Assist with the process of preparing accurate vessel and company budgets, forecasts and reporting results to internal and external stakeholders in a timely and consistent manner;
Continually look to improve working practices to ensure high quality vessel and owner reporting;
Monitor and suggest improvements regarding the maintenance of relevant financial systems and their integrity (including procurement systems);
Assist with business and operational project accounting and compliance and documentation thereof;
Utilise basic knowledge of contractual project arrangements to assist with ensuring that finance and accounting outputs are accurate and reflect the correct position and can be explained;
Helping to review outputs created by third parties that are to be provided to shareholders or owners;
Assist with project cash management, cash waterfall, payments, banking and reconciliations;
Contribute to office-based business continuity planning where necessary.

Specific matters that fall wholly or partially within the role’s remit include (but are not limited to):

Guaranteed timely submission of project results / forecasts in line with Group policies and monthly Group timetable and other stakeholders’ reporting deadlines;
Helping to manage multiple stakeholder positions including owner, manager, ship manager and agent and ensuring documentation and invoices are addressed accordingly;
Develop and maintain close working relationships and processes with ship management procurement staff to manage, control and minimise costs, explain variances and produce cost savings;
Assist with the management of external audits, audit requests, engagements and relationships;
Assist with the financial aspects of existing projects (those both owned and managed by the company) including reporting, forecasting and providing financial input as needed;
Help to maintain close financial controls over operational budgets and the processes by which they are drawn up;
Assist with the development and maintenance of appropriate internal financial controls including implementation of agreed Internal Audit recommendations where applicable;
A basic awareness of Competition and Bribery laws throughout all working practices.

Skills, Qualifications and Expertise required:

Experienced user of computerised accounting systems and very knowledgeable about how accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, reconciliations and general ledger functions are applied in practice;
Some prior shipping experience is essential;
Preference for previous Bass systems experience although not essential;
Strong capability with Microsoft Excel and Word and ability to manage basic I.T. issues;
Experience of owner, manager and / or agent positions from a finance, cash flow and / or accounts perspective and hence an ability to understand the end-to-end business model;
Some knowledge of UK GAAP or IFRS accounting rules and methodologies is highly preferred though formal accounting qualifications are not essential.

Competencies:

Consistent and strong attention to detail, consistent application of processes and the ability to learn about, understand and think through sound accounting practices;
Excellent time management and forward planning skills and the ability to meet deadlines without exception;
Flexible and conscientious approach to work;
Personable and confident communicator (both written and verbal);
Consistently displays commitment to team and pride in doing a good job.

Key Relationships:

Integral part of the company, having interaction with a wide range of staff as well as other group companies and some contact with third party suppliers, partners, auditors, banks and customers;
Strong personal skills capable of forming relationships with both accounting and non-accounting stakeholders both internally and externally.