Cost Performance Accountant

Job Title: Cost Performance Accountant

Location: Frimley or Leeds, Hybrid – 1-2 days on site depending on business need

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: £40,000 + (depending on experience)

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

As a Cost Performance Accountant, you will play a key role within the Cost Performance team, delivering high-quality financial planning and analysis through reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and insightful cost performance analysis. Working closely with finance and business stakeholders, you will provide timely and accurate information that supports strategy-making and business performance. You will also contribute to Finance Modernisation and ERP developments, helping to embed standardised processes, reporting, and continuous improvement across the finance function.

Core duties:

• Deliver cost performance reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis to support informed business strategy-making
• Partner with Finance Business Partners, Project Accounting teams, and budget holders to provide insight into cost performance, resource utilisation, and financial outcomes
• Support the development of labour rates, recovery reporting, profitability analysis, and other key performance measures
• Contribute to Finance Modernisation and ERP programmes, supporting the implementation of new processes, reporting capabilities, and ways of working
• Drive continuous improvement through enhanced reporting, automation, data analysis, and standardisation of finance processes

Essential Skills:

• Part-qualified accountant, studying towards or interested in pursuing a professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent
• Experience in FP&A, management accounting, cost performance, finance business partnering, or a similar finance environment
• Considerable analytical skills, with the ability to interpret financial data, identify trends, and provide meaningful insights to support business strategies
• Experience supporting forecasting, budgeting, management reporting, and financial planning processes
• Ability to work collaboratively with finance and non-finance stakeholders, communicating financial information clearly and effectively to support performance improvement

The Cost Performance Team:

The Cost Performance team supports BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, partnering with stakeholders across finance and the wider business to deliver financial insight, reporting, and forecasting. The team plays a key role in performance management, profitability analysis, and driving continuous improvement through finance modernisation developments.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 31st August 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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