Senior Project Accountant

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into. And that’s where you come in.

Job Description:

Job title:
Senior Project Accountant

Location:
London

Salary: £60,000 - £65,000 DOE

Working arrangment:
Hybrid, 2 office days per week

Your new role

We have an exciting opportunity for a qualified Senior Project Accountant to join one of our most strategically important and high-profile contracts. This is a key finance leadership role, working at the heart of a large, complex programme with significant visibility across the senior leadership team.

You'll act as a trusted finance partner to Project Managers and senior stakeholders, providing robust financial control, insightful reporting, and commercial challenge across a substantial contract portfolio. This position offers a genuine opportunity to influence business performance, support critical decision-making, and drive continuous improvement across project finance processes.

The role would suit an experienced Project Accountant looking for their next challenge, or an established Senior Project Accountant seeking greater ownership, exposure and progression. There is potential for direct line management responsibility, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to further develop their leadership capabilities

Some key responsibilities

• Partner with Project Managers and operational stakeholders to provide financial leadership and support across large-scale, complex contracts.
• Own the financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting and month-end activities for assigned projects.
• Ensure accurate application of IFRS 15 revenue recognition principles across project activities.
• Deliver timely, accurate and meaningful management reporting, financial analysis and insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Challenge project assumptions, costs and forecasts to drive improved financial performance and project outcomes.
• Support contract reviews, project governance meetings and leadership discussions.
• Maintain and enhance financial models, reporting tools and processes to improve efficiency and performance.
• Ensure projects are managed in line with agreed accounting policies, controls and governance requirements.
• Monitor contract performance, cash flow and invoicing schedules to maximise commercial outcomes.
• Support bids, variations and new project opportunities with robust financial guidance and commercial input.
• Build effective relationships with customers and external stakeholders where required, acting as a credible and professional finance representative.
• Mentor and support junior finance colleagues and, where applicable, undertake line management responsibilities.

About you

We're looking for a qualified finance professional who thrives in a project-based environment and enjoys partnering with stakeholders to influence commercial and operational decisions.

You'll bring:

• A professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
• Significant Project Accounting experience within large, complex or long-term contract environments.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of IFRS 15.
• Experience partnering with Project Managers and senior business stakeholders.
• Excellent financial planning, forecasting and management reporting capabilities.
• Strong commercial awareness with the confidence to challenge and influence decision-making.
• Customer-facing experience and the ability to build credibility with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capabilities.
• Previous people management experience, or a desire to step into leadership and management responsibilities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate financial information into clear business insights.

Experience with in engineering, infrastructure, transport, rail, defence, manufacturing or other project-led environments would be advantageous.

What We Can Offer

We are committed to helping you be at your best. At Hitachi Rail, we believe in developing our people and offer access to training, development opportunities and the chance to learn from experienced professionals across our global organisation. We also…