Financial Controller - Cost

As Eurostar Group works towards achieving its strategic goals of expanding service offerings, improving customer experience, and enhancing sustainability, the Financial Controller for Cost for the UK entity will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the Group remains financially robust.

The Financial Controller- Cost will be based in Kings Cross, operating under a flexible hybrid working model, allowing a balance between office presence and remote working arrangements.

Internal Use Only:

Role is based in KP, EIL Grade F

We are looking for someone to...

• Be responsible for all EIL cost accounting matters, whether arising from the Finance team, the wider business, shareholders, external auditors, or other third parties - this covers all associated systems, processes, and technical accounting matters.


• Own the Oracle month end accounting process for the EIL Cost Control team, including approval of journals, balance sheet reconciliations, reporting of variances to budgets and forecasts and support Finance Business Partners and THIF counterparts with analysis and insight.


• Design, develop and optimise cost accounting processes to ensure the reporting of costs is timely, reliable, and transparent to key business users, including pro-active engagement with and influencing the operational business teams in conjunction with the Finance Business Partners.


• Identify and assess the impact on cost accounting and implement business process changes as necessary to ensure continued compliance, from changes in IFRS accounting standards, changes in contractual arrangements with suppliers, and changes to the wider Eurostar business.


• Lead and deliver preliminary and full year external audit and reporting of costs including balance sheet items (accruals, prepayments, fixed assets and payroll liabilities), notes and disclosures including audit evidence and documented procedures.


• Collaborate with the business to ensure that purchase order receipting is progressively improved to minimise manual adjustments.


• Develop models to ensure costs are accurately reported between EIL and THIF as a result of joint operational activities.


• Lead the team to prepare / review month end balance sheet reconciliations.


• Lead on resolving intercompany differences between EIL and THIF.


• Work with the Accounting & Controls and Business Partnering team to ensure that material reconciling items are investigated and cleared.


• Drive control through utilisation of Blackline.


• Evolve existing reconciliations / control processes governing the Cost Control perimeter leveraging, where possible, available technology to improve efficiency and enhance assurance over key cost areas and balance sheet accounts.


• Be accountable for the integrity of the fixed asset register by ensuring that all costs eligible for capitalisation are identified and depreciation commences when assets are ready for use.


• Liaise with Business Partners and the business to identify potential impairments.


• Adopt a continuous improvement approach to all tasks by challenging the current processes and making/suggesting improvements to simplify, and improve efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.


• Continue to support the Senior Cost Accountant to establish the utilisation of Power BI including exploring opportunities for improved insight and analysis as well as process improvements.


• Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives alongside the Finance Business Partners. This entails ensuring the efficient use of resources, and optimise costs across the combined operations where appropriate.
  
  Be a qualifiedACA/ACCA/CA


• To have at least 3 years PQE (Post Qualified Experience)


• Strong experience in cost, stock and contract accounting, ideally in an engineering / travel / infrastructure environment.


• Experience in supporting statutory accounts production and collaborating with auditors (preferably Big 4).


• The ability to communicate effectively and credibly, both verbally and in writing, flexed as appropriate for the target audience (including to non-finance senior management).


• To be skilled at presenting data in powerful, easily understood dashboards and reports.


• The ability to support business owners in the delivery of their cost-related targets, whilst influencing them to ensure robust cost accounting processes and controls.


• To be highly numerate logical thinker with problem-solving attitude, drive, and enthusiasm.


• The ability to prioritise and multi-task effectively to meet deadlines.


• Management experience, empowering you to lead teams, foster innovation, and drive business growth through strategic initiatives and impactful decision-making.
  
  At Eurostar, we're fuelling the future of rail travel - operating in five countries and sparking new opportunities for travellers. But our trains connect much more than just people and places. They're helping us build a greener, more inclusive future for everyone. Join us and you'll be part of a passionate team which always goes the extra mile.
  
  We're constantly working to create a bright future for our company and our colleagues. That's why we offer a wide range of brilliant benefits, including:


For our UK office:

• Travel benefits that can be used for both work and play including 75% off underground network from Day 1


• Competitive defined benefit pension scheme


• Free Eurostar tickets


• Discounted Eurostar tickets for friends and family


• Ongoing training and development


• Lots of other exclusive deals, discounts and perks