Royal London
Senior Cost Accountant
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Contract type: Permanent
Location: Alderley Park
Working style: Hybrid 50% home/office based
About the Role
Own and manage the delivery of accurate, timely and well-supported actual cost reporting for assigned business units, cost centres and project portfolios, in line with monthly close and reporting timetables.
- Lead the preparation, review and posting of key journals, accruals, prepayments and cost recharges, ensuring appropriate evidence, approval and audit trail is maintained.
- Review balance sheet reconciliations, cost controls and supporting schedules, ensuring adherence to accounting standards, internal policies and financial control requirements.
- Provide clear and insightful cost analysis, variance commentary and trend reporting to support Finance, budget holders and senior stakeholders in understanding cost performance and key drivers.
- Act as a finance business partner for assigned areas, building effective relationships with Finance and business teams to challenge costs, resolve queries and support informed decision-making.
- Set clear expectations for junior team members, coordinating day-to-day activities, reviewing outputs and providing guidance to ensure high-quality delivery against deadlines.
- Maintain and improve process documentation, control evidence and operating procedures, including FRDCF requirements, ensuring updates are made promptly when processes, systems or responsibilities change.
- Support budgeting, forecasting and planning activities by providing robust cost data, analysis and insight for assigned cost areas and change initiatives.
- Identify and deliver opportunities to improve the quality, control, efficiency and automation of cost accounting processes, supporting wider Finance transformation and continuous improvement activity.
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About You
- A professionally qualified accountant, or qualified by equivalent experience, with a strong understanding of cost accounting, management reporting and financial control.
- Experienced in month-end close, journal preparation and review, accruals, prepayments, reconciliations, cost allocations and variance analysis.
- Confident working with financial systems and data, with strong Excel skills and the ability to produce clear, accurate and insightful analysis.
- A clear and credible communicator, able to explain financial information to both finance and non-finance stakeholders in a practical and accessible way.
- Collaborative and relationship-led, with the confidence to challenge constructively, resolve queries and influence decisions across Finance and the wider business.
- Well organised and delivery-focused, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain high standards of accuracy and control.
- Proactive and improvement-focused, with a commitment to strengthening processes, documentation, controls and ways of working.
- Comfortable supporting change activity and working in a dynamic environment, bringing a practical mindset and attention to detail.
- A supportive team player who is comfortable guiding others, sharing knowledge and contributing to a positive, inclusive and high-performing team culture.
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About Royal London
We’re the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions and investment company, offering protection, long-term savings and asset management products and services.
Our People Promise to our colleagues is that we will all work somewhere inclusive, responsible, enjoyable and fulfilling. This is underpinned by our Spirit of Royal London values; Empowered, Trustworthy, Collaborate, Achieve.
We've always been proud to reward employees by offering great workplace benefits such as 28 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays, an up to 14% employer matching pension scheme and private medical insurance.
Inclusion, Diversity and Belonging
We’re an inclusive employer. We celebrate and value different backgrounds and cultures across Royal London. Our diverse people and perspectives give us a range of skills which are recognised and respected – whatever their background.
Profile Description
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Senior Cost Accountant to join our Cost Accounting Team at Royal London. In this role, you will manage the overall delivery of cost accounting and reporting for specified business units and projects, ensuring stakeholders receive insightful actual cost analysis.
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