Job Description

Job Summary

Accountant (Commercial & Forecasting) - Modus Rail

Location: Stratford (Primary)

Reporting to: Director of Operations / Finance Director

Department: Finance & Commercial

Role Purpose

Modus Rail is a rapidly growing railway examinations company operating in a cyclical, data-driven environment where financial accuracy, intelligent forecasting and strong cost control are essential.

The Accountant will play a key role in supporting the financial strength of the business by delivering precise reporting, robust analysis, and clear commercial insight.

The role is central to ensuring Modus Rail maintains high standards of financial governance, predictable cashflow, accurate billing, and strong performance across all frameworks and contracts.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Reporting & Control

- Prepare and maintain accurate monthly management accounts.

- Run all Modus Rail financial reporting through Xero, Dext, WorkflowMax and Timesheet Portal.

- Produce budget vs actuals, cost centre analysis and tracking category reports.

- Maintain balance sheet integrity and reconcile all control accounts.

- Support year-end close and external audit processes.

2. Forecasting & Cashflow Management

- Lead short, medium and long-term financial forecasting.

- Produce rolling 12-month cashflow forecasts.

- Analyse revenue forecasts based on workbanks, exam cycles and delivery programmes.

- Identify trends, variances and future risk areas based on operational performance.

3. Commercial Data & Cost Control

- Own and maintain commercial cost trackers aligned with operational data.

- Analyse labour, vehicle, travel and operational costs.

- Track job-by-job profitability across routes, contracts and periods.

- Support operational teams to optimise cost efficiency and productivity.

4. NEC4 Contract Support

- Interpret contract requirements relating to pricing, cost substantiation and compensation events.

- Support Compensation Event assessments with clean, auditable data.

- Validate costs and ensure alignment with agreed rates and schedules.

- Assist with commercial record keeping and evidencing for contract submissions.

5. Pricing, Quotations & Tender Support

- Support the development of pricing models and cost build-ups for tenders.

- Carry out margin analysis, scenario modelling and sensitivity testing.

- Maintain the Modus Rail internal rate book and ensure it reflects real-time costs.

- Support pricing for additional works, changes and new opportunities.

6. Operational Integration

- Work closely with Planning and Operations to align financial performance with:

Exam volumes and productivity
Schedule changes and baselining
Seasonal peaks and troughs
Overtime and resource planning
- Supply real-time financial insight to ensure delivery remains on target.

7. Systems & Data Improvement

- Improve financial and commercial systems including:

Excel-based trackers
Smartsheet dashboards
Xero customisation
WorkflowMax reporting
- Ensure seamless integration between finance and operational data sources.

8. Compliance & Governance

- Ensure compliance with HMRC, VAT submissions, CIS (if required), payroll and pension reporting.

- Maintain strong financial controls, audit trails and documentation accuracy.

- Ensure all financial information is correct, timely and stored in line with governance requirements.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

- Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (AAT / ACCA / CIMA).

- Strong forecasting, cashflow and analytical abilities.

- Excellent Excel and data modelling skills.

- Experience managing budgets, analysing variances and preparing management accounts.

- High accuracy and attention to detail.

- Strong understanding of Xero or similar accounting software.

Desirable

- Experience in rail, construction or infrastructure environments.

- Knowledge of NEC4 contract principles.

- Familiarity with cyclical delivery models (e.g., P1-P13, workbanks).

- Experience with WorkflowMax or other job-costing platforms.

Behaviours & Culture Fit

- Analytical and methodical approach.

- High attention to detail with a zero-error mindset.

- Proactive in identifying issues and opportunities.

- Strong communicator comfortable advising senior leadership.

- Thrives in a fast-paced, scaling organisation.

- Embodies Modus Rail's values: We Listen, We Deliver, We Care.

Why This Role is Important to Modus Rail

This role provides the financial accuracy, forecasting confidence and commercial insight needed to support continued growth, framework delivery and operational performance. The Accountant ensures that Modus Rail's numbers are clear, predictable and aligned with our long-term strategic goals.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension
Application question(s):

Do you have experience in using Xero? Are you able to remain office based for 5-days per week?
Experience:

Accounting: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person