Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.
We are looking for an Assistant Project Accountant to join our Finance team in Belfast. In this role, you will support the financial management of key contracts and products through detailed analysis, forecasting and reporting, helping ensure the business has accurate and timely financial information to make informed decisions.
This is a broad and rewarding opportunity, offering the chance to work closely with Finance and Product teams in a complex technical environment. You will have real scope to develop your financial and commercial understanding while making a meaningful contribution to the success of the business. This role would be particularly well suited to a newly qualified accountant looking to develop their career within a leading technology and defence organisation.
About Integrated Airspace Protection Systems
Our purpose is to protect and defend, creating integrated solutions that bring together insight, coordination and decisive action. We respond rapidly with systems that support detection, fire control, engagement and mission sustainment. Our expertise covers three sectors: Surface Attack & Air Defence (UK), Air Defence (International), and Air Operations & Services, as well as Space.
Main Responsibilities
- Prepare project estimates for Multi Year Budget (MYB) and rolling monthly forecast information.
- Prepare monthly CSR packs, reviewing costs, balance sheet areas, and monitoring the forecast and evolution of the project.
- Provide timely and accurate financial data to support the successful management of the business.
- Provide TM1 input support for rolling forecasts and Multi Year Budget activity.
- Prepare balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring balances are understood, accurate and appropriately justified.
Ideal Experience & Skills
- You must be a Qualified Accountant, with CAI, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification.
- You must have really strong IT skills and be highly proficient in MS Excel.
- You must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the challenges of delivering high-quality financial operations.
- You should have a good practical/working understanding of ERP systems, ideally Oracle.
- You must have a track record of being able to quickly assimilate and analyse technical, financial and commercial data/information.
- Significant experience with Oracle would be advantageous.
- Financial experience within a manufacturing environment would be advantageous.
- Understanding and relevant experience of programme, contract or product accounting would be advantageous.
Security Clearance Requirement
Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires Security Clearance (SC). It would be advantageous if currently held; however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment.
To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years’ residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.
Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.
Join Us
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!
#LI-AS1
At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.
If this role isn’t quite right for you, we encourage you to join our talent community where your details will be shared with our recruitment teams for other potential opportunities. Join the Talent Community here.
Join Thales in the UK – Innovate with us and shape the future!
Skills Required
- Qualified Accountant with CAI, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualification
- Strong IT skills and high proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Understanding of delivering high-quality financial operations
- Working understanding of ERP systems, ideally Oracle
- Ability to quickly assimilate and analyse technical, financial, and commercial information
- Significant Oracle experience
- Financial experience within a manufacturing environment
- Understanding and relevant experience of programme, contract, or product accounting
- Ability to undergo, achieve, and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC) before commencing employment
Thales Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Thales and has not been reviewed or approved by Thales.
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Retirement Support — Retirement plans with employer contributions and matches, profit sharing, and share purchase opportunities are emphasized across multiple regions. These elements are positioned as competitive components of total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO that increases with tenure, paid holidays, and paid military, maternity, and paternity leave are described. This breadth supports work–life balance across locations.
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Flexible Benefits — Hybrid work options, flexible schedules, and parental supports such as childcare benefits and leave for sick children are available in several markets. Flexibility is presented as a core part of the employee experience.
Thales Insights
What We Do
Thales is a global high technology leader investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology – to build a future we can all trust, which is vital to the development of our societies. The company provides solutions, services and products that help its customers – businesses, organisations and states – in the defence, aeronautics, space, transportation and digital identity and security markets to fulfil their critical missions, by placing humans at the heart of the decision-making process.
