Cost Accounting Manager

You'll be leading our Cost Accounting team which will be responsible for the accounting outcomes of our non-compensation (supplier) cost process. The team will work alongside the purchasing and payables teams to ensure that cost accruals, prepayments and fixed assets are accounted for in accordance with accounting policies. Working with our Head of Purchasing, Payables and Reconciliations and Head of Accounting you will help to establish a centralised capability for this function in our Horsham office. This will include embedding processes in the team and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. About Schroders We're a global investment manager. We help institutions, intermediaries and individuals around the world invest money to meet their goals, fulfil their ambitions, and prepare for the future. We have around 6,000 people on six continents. And we've been around for over 200 years but keep adapting as society and technology changes. What doesn't change is our commitment to helping our clients, and society, prosper. The base At Schroders, we're known for doing things differently. That's why we're building a home for the ambitious in Horsham, West Sussex. You'll get the all the benefits of being part of a world-leading FTSE 100 company. But you'll also get the support of being part of a genuine local community. If you're looking for opportunities that match your ambitions, you'll find them right here in Horsham. What you'll do This role will have responsibility for delivery of the cost accounting service for a number of legal entities in the Schroders group. This will include:

• Establishing a centralised capability for cost accounting.
• Improving cost accounting processes through closer alignment with the Purchasing and Payables team.
• Overseeing the accounting processes for costs so that they are captured in the correct legal entity, cost centre and nominal account and that in each month there is completeness and accuracy for all types of cost.
• Ensuring cost accruals and prepayments are correctly recorded. Booking adjustments to these if required.
• Providing commentary on cost trends at a service and supplier level.
• Operating the fixed assets accounting process. The main responsibilities are (i) capitalisation of fixed assets including ones which are developed as part of a technology or buildings related project, (ii) disposal of fixed assets and (iii) monthly depreciation process.
• Performing balance sheet reconciliations for cost accruals, prepayments and fixed assets accounts.
• Operating processes which allow Schroders to recover certain costs from our funds.
• Ensuring the team meet month end deadlines and provide necessary reporting to other stakeholders.
• Supporting and assisting others in the team so that they develop the necessary skill set to perform the role and service delivery is maintained.
  
  We are looking for an individual that has a proven track record of leading a successful team and demonstrates delivery of change. This person needs to demonstrate how they have taken responsibility for service delivery and display a clear understanding of the accounting principles and processes for end-to-end cost management.
Suitable candidates will have:
• Excellent leadership and people management skills.
• +5 years post qualified accounting experience (or equivalent)
• Proven ability to manage change effectively, continuously improve processes and adopt new technologies / ways of working.
• Strong systems skills including use of an ERP system (general ledger and subledgers).
• A successful record of delivering a finance operations service in a large organisation.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Capable of remaining positive when under pressure.
The knowledge, experience and qualifications that'll help We need someone that can lead the delivery of the cost accounting service and successfully manage this team. You will need to work closely with other managers and teams in our Purchasing and Payables & Reconciliations teams in the Horsham office to ensure efficient and seamless service delivery. It will also be necessary to develop relationships with Finance Business Partners, Financial Control and the Operational Accounting and Control team to enable accurate accounting and reporting of costs. The successful candidate must be able to drive efficiency improvements in processes and be an advocate for change. This includes embracing AI and other new technologies and looking at how the team can scale up processing capabilities.