FirstAchieve are currently seeking a skilled Overheads & Operational Accountant to join our global engineering parnter.

The Overheads & Operational Accountant role plays a key part in supporting the effective day to day running of the finance function. It is a hands on role with responsibility for overhead accounting, month end support, operational finance processes, and maintaining strong financial controls.

What you will do:

Overheads & Cost Centre Accounting

• Own monthly overhead cost centre accounting

• Prepare and post monthly overhead journals (accruals, prepayments, reallocations).

• Ensure overhead costs are accurately coded, reviewed, and controlled.

• Produce monthly overhead variance analysis versus budget and forecast.

• Support budget holders with cost understanding and challenge where appropriate.

Month End Close & Balance Sheet Control

• Support the month end close process, ensuring overhead areas are closed accurately and on time.

• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations for overhead related accounts (e.g. accruals, prepayments, expenses).

• Ensure reconciliations are complete, well evidenced, and review ready for Financial Controller sign off.

• Maintain strong audit trails in line with finance governance requirements.

Operational Finance & Day to Day Support

• Act as first line finance support for operational and functional teams on overhead and cost queries.

• Support purchase to pay processes, ensuring spend is recorded in line with policy and approvals.

• Monitor open purchase orders and cost commitments relating to overhead spend.

• Promote disciplined, system based finance processes and controls.

Compliance, Logistics & Administrative Finance Support

• Provide cover and support for basic logistics and customs compliance administration, including:

o Maintaining customs documentation and supporting audit files.

o Supporting periodic submissions (e.g. bills of discharge) under Financial Controller direction.

• Support routine finance compliance activities (expense policy, supporting schedules, controls).

• Act as a dependable cover point across operational finance activities during absence.

Audit & Year End Support

• Support preparation of audit schedules and working papers relating to overhead and operational areas.

• Respond to audit queries efficiently and in a structured manner.

• Ensure overhead and operational finance areas are audit ready throughout the year.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, consistency, and control within overhead and operational finance processes.

• Support system and process improvements within Epicor and related finance tools.

• Work collaboratively across the finance team to ensure clear ownership and smooth hand offs.

What you will need:

Essential:

• Part qualified accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA) AAT Technician or qualified by experience.

• Experience in overhead accounting, management accounting, or operational finance roles.

• Strong attention to detail and a control focused mindset.

• Reliable delivery against recurring deadlines.

Desirable:

• Experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment.

• Exposure to logistics, customs, or operational compliance activity.

• Experience supporting audits or year end processes.

All candidates must be able to prove that they have the right to work in the UK.

Why work for us?

• Competitive compensation and benefits packages

• Flexible working scheme

• Excellent training and development opportunities

• Generous annual leave and option to purchase additional holidays

• Contributory pension plan with associated life assurance

• Hybrid working policy for select roles

• Recognition reward schemes

• Healthcare scheme offering cash back on medical services (optician/dental etc.)

• Virtual GP surgery and employee assistance programme

• Cycle-to-work scheme

• Range of employee discounts (including gyms, high street and online retailers)

If you are looking for your next Accounting opportunity, we'd love to hear from you.