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.
Primary Purpose and key responsibilities of the Role:
Thales is a leading force both in the UK and globally, operating in several markets - aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space.
Integrated Airspace-protection Systems (IAS) operates primarily within the defence market delivering equipment & services, but also has a presence in the space market building satellite propulsion systems. The IAS business is predominantly based in Belfast and Templecombe. With the finance team at the Belfast site, this role will be Belfast based.
IAS finance is now searching for a talented individual to join the team an Assistant Product Cost Specialist. As a Assistantg Product Cost Specialist you will be responsible for supporting the correct financials across key contracts via detailed analysis & support to a portfolio of products along with other financial responsibilities. The role is broad and will be a challenging & rewarding opportunity where your contribution to the team will have a real impact on the success of the business as a whole.
Main responsibilities:
- Assist Finance function, analysis and support across the team.
- Assist product accountants and product manager’s in the preparation of monthly review packs
- Prepare product analysis & cost variance reports and propose corrective action(s)
- Liaise with/deputise for finance project accountant(s) to ensure contract reporting is timely, accurate and risks & opportunities are presented for consideration at MPS/QPRs
- Providing timely and accurate financial data to support successful management of the business
- Prepare product estimates for Multi Year Budget & rolling monthly forecast information
- Prepare analysis to support product UPC
- Work closely with the wider IAS finance team providing advice & support, assisting with invoicing.
- Assist in the development of IT tools, reporting techniques and skills
- Ensure financial integrity and adherence to process (UK GAAP, Chorus 2.0)
- Pro-actively supporting the product teams
- Provide TM1 Input support for rolling forecast/ MYB
- Provide key inputs for the production of internal and external audit requirements
- Carrying out month end processing activities, completing product analysis, monthly accruals and reports
- Providing timely and accurate financial data to support successful management of the business, including production of monthly and ad-hoc financial reports
- Suggest continuous governance improvement
Skills and Experience
Essential
- You must be highly motivated and passionate about your ability to bring value
- You must have ability to interact & communicate complex issues
- You have track record of being able to quickly assimilate and analyse technical, financial & commercial data/information
- You have two years’ experience in providing financial/technical analysis in a moving technical environment
- You must be highly proficient in MS Excel or other data management tools
- ICAI, ACCA, CIMA or ACCA (or equivalent) or, proven relevant experience in a financial/accounting background providing leadership with evidence of establishing continuous improvement and delivery.
- You must have strong IT skills, highly proficient in MS Excel
- Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the potential along with the challenges of delivering high quality financial operations
- Or, proven relevant experience in a financial/accounting/manufacturing environment.
Desirable
- You should be a keen team player, energetic self-starter with a pro-active and challenging approach to issues
- You might have good practical/working understanding of ERP systems (ideally Oracle),
- You have understanding and relevant experience of programme/contract/product accounting
#LI-CA1
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
- Two years' experience in providing financial/technical analysis in a moving technical environment
- Highly proficient in MS Excel or other data management tools
- ICAI, ACCA, CIMA or ACCA (or equivalent) or relevant experience in financial/accounting background
- Strong IT skills and understanding of ERP systems (ideally Oracle)
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
