Cost Accounting Analyst

Cost Accounting Analyst

Description

Cost Accounting Analyst in the Cost Accounting Section, Accounting Division, Finance, Planning and Controlling Department, Directorate of Internal Services. Under the direct authority of the Head of Section, you will be responsible for ensuring that the Agency’s cost management and timesheet systems are kept up to date, ensuring accurate and consistent allocation of indirect cost to programmes and projects. You will be actively involved in the technical development and maintenance of accounting systems (ESA-P and TAS) and reporting tools. You will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring monthly and year-end cost accounting closure activities, including reporting, reconciliation and variance analysis.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• managing the Agency’s integrated Timesheet Accounting System (TAS) and its processes, with responsibility for defining and monitoring the implementation of all TAS-related developments and its integration with other corporate applications;
• assisting the Accounting and Finance teams in defining requirements, specifications and test cases for new or enhanced ESA-p functionalities;
• ensuring system readiness for cost accounting operations (Distribution and Assessment cycles);
• contributing to the analysis of the future evolution and maintenance of ESA's Cost Model, processing cost accounting transactions and contributing to the simplification and digitalisation of cost accounting processes, tools and reports;
• guaranteeing consistency of cost accounting data with financial statements; ensuring the accuracy of direct and indirect cost allocation in the context of monthly and yearly accounting closure, including cost variance analysis;
• coordinating all cost accounting periodic closure activities, including reports;
• ensuring the implementation of reorganisation processes in the financial system in liaison with the HR Department, the IT Department and the Directorate concerned;
• supporting cost centre managers, fund and fund centre managers in all aspects of planning and processing secondary costs in line with the Agency’s cost model, providing support to programmes, projects and activities in preparing specific cost reports;
• training and supporting end users of TAS and ESA’s Cost Model;
• contributing to and supporting internal and external audit assignments relating to the Agency’s cost model and cost processes.

Technical competencies

• Proven knowledge of SAP's Financial Accounting and Controlling modules (FI and CO)
• Proven technical knowledge of TAS
• Strong analytical and reporting skills
• Cost and financial/management accounting
• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Power BI

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master's degree in an accounting, economics or financial discipline is required for this post. Applicants with a master's degree in an IT discipline, complemented by at least 10 years of practical experience in financial and cost accounting and in an SAP environment, will be considered.

Additional requirements

• Experience in assessing costs, benefits and the feasibility of potential technical solutions
• Ability to collaborate and drive consensus across a diverse group of stakeholders with differing priorities
• In-depth knowledge of the ESA procurement process, or that of a similar international organisation, and its implementation
• Strong written and oral communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with a willingness to take on demanding tasks in an environment subject to rapid evolution and change.
• Excellent planning and relationship management skills

Good knowledge of IPSAS and/or IFRS accounting standards is an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

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

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

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, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.