Overview
Accountant Jobs in Luton, England, United Kingdom at First Achieve
Title: Accountant
Company: First Achieve
Location: Luton, England, United Kingdom
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.
