Industrial Cost Auditor (2 Posts)

Reporting to the Head of the Industrial Audit Services Office, you will be responsible for general industrial cost analysis and auditing-related activities in support of the ESA procurement process.

The industrial cost audit function is of vital importance for ESA. The Agency dispenses a large proportion of its annual budget in placing contracts with the space industry, and thus it is important to ensure a proper return for its Member States in terms of value for money. The audit activity is an essential part of this process.

Description

In the Industrial Audit Services Office, Industrial Policy and Auditing Department, Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness, you will work as an Industrial Cost Auditor reporting to the Head of the Industrial Audit Services Office.

Duties

In direct contact with industry:

• Audit, analysis and negotiation of industrial hourly labour rates and overheads, unit rates such as facility charges, and other overheads on the basis of detailed reviews carried out on the company’s cost structure
• Audit of direct expenditure on contracts, including compliance with ESA rules
• Financial viability audits on the basis of detailed reviews carried out on the company’s financial data
• Nationality audits on the basis of established processes and criteria for nationality attribution
• Audits in support of the verification of geo-return data
• Audits carried out in direct support to programmes, including a detailed analysis and review of industrial contractual documents
• Verification of company cost accounting systems in order to ascertain compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and with ESA rules

In direct contact with ESA internal stakeholders and other support activities:

• Participation in Tender Evaluation Boards and cost panels for the analysis of financial and cost-related matters, as well as support to ESA programme directorates in direct negotiations with industry
• Provision of advice on financial matters, such as currency exchange, price variation formulas, productivity, inflation, hourly rates and business case assessments
• Collaboration and coordination of cost and audit activities with other national and international organisations
• Supporting the day-to-day audit activities, including preparing concise and accurate documentation, such as audit reports, policies and processes, analysis of data and collection of information
• Other audit tasks/projects as requested of the Office

In the execution of these duties, you will interface closely with senior industry representatives, ESA and industry project management teams, ESA contracts officers, other ESA finance and cost engineering functions and auditors from national audit authorities.

Technical competencies

• Expertise in cost accounting: comprehensive understanding of cost accounting principles, including methodologies for calculating labour, facility and overhead rates
• Financial and management accounting: proficiency in interpreting and analysing financial statements, management reports and complex cost structures
• Auditing techniques: in-depth knowledge of audit standards, processes and best practices, with experience in applying auditing methodologies to industrial environments
• Familiarity with accounting systems and tools: hands-on experience with ERP and accounting software, as well as data analysis tools used in financial evaluations and audits
• Understanding of international and national standards: awareness of relevant financial regulations and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP or IFRS)
• Risk assessment and internal controls: capacity to identify, assess and mitigate financial risks, including the evaluation of internal control systems and compliance checks
• Communication and advisory skills: aptitude for conveying complex financial data to non-experts, supporting negotiations, and providing sound advice on financial and cost matters

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education

A master's degree in the domain of business administration, corporate finance and accounting, auditing or economics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• A minimum of three years’ cumulative experience in auditing activities
• Analytical skills
• Negotiation skills
• Readiness to travel frequently
• Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations

Important Information and Disclaimer

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.