Senior Cost Accountant

We are recruiting a highly analytical and commercially minded Senior Cost Accountant to lead the design and ownership of our new cost allocation framework (product allocations and Intra group allocations.

This is the first dedicated role in the department focused solely on cost allocations, offering a rare opportunity to build a brand‑new process from the ground up.

It will help shape how the business understands and manages cost allocations, develop robust forecast/planning (in Anaplan), and partner with teams across Finance to drive data‑driven decision making. With high visibility and significant autonomy, this role suits someone who thrives in an environment where they can influence, innovate, and deliver meaningful change.

What you’ll be doing

• Lead design and build of a new cost allocation methodology, including consolidating the numerous current allocation models into one consistent model.
• Integrate allocation logic into the wider planning ecosystem (e.g., Anaplan), connecting cost centres, drivers, and outputs across Finance.
• Develop the first complete set of allocation governance principles, documentation, and frameworks.
• Build intuitive dashboards and reporting views to help stakeholders understand allocation outcomes and cost impacts.
• Key part of the wider finance function effort in making wholesale methodology changes (e.g from direct to waterfall).
• Own the rule change process, including updates to allocation governance.
• Actively engage with stakeholders and be the key point of contact for Finance BPs and business teams regarding allocation principles and governance.
• Lead builder of allocation models in Anaplan, enhancing budgeting, forecasting, and reporting capability for allocations.
• Drive best practice modelling standards and ensure alignment across teams .
• Act as a decision-maker in shaping and improving the allocations in the planning tool landscape.
• Partner with teams across Finance (including IT, FP&A, Motor, PaTH) to understand key cost drivers and support strategic objectives.
• Translate complex technical logic into clear insights for non financial stakeholders.
• Create new detailed cost allocation reports, including variance and impact analysis, and present back to senior management and key stakeholders.
• Identify and implement opportunities to enhance allocation methodologies, planning processes, reporting and financial systems—driving efficiency, clarity, and transparency.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Modelling and data manipulation experience is essential, with the ability to build robust financial models and confidently work with complex datasets to support planning and allocation processes.
• Accountant with the relevant professional qualifications (CIMA / ACCA / ACA)
• Highly motivated, proactive, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient in financial systems (Anaplan ideally), Excel/VBA and Power BI
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey financial insights to non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Desireable Skills & Experience

• Previous business partnering experience
• Understanding and previous experience of Anaplan

Please note - we may close this vacancy early if we receive lots of applications or business priorities change.

Admiral: Where You Can

We take pride in being a diverse and inclusive business. It's a place where you can Be You, and show up as you are. We’re committed to fostering a people-first culture where everyone is accepted, supported, and empowered to be brilliant. You can, Grow And Progress at a pace and direction that suits you, Make A Difference for our customers and each other, and Share in Our Future with all colleagues eligible for up to £3,600 of free shares each year after one year of service.

Everyone receives 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) when they join us, increasing the longer you stay with us, up to a maximum of 38 days (including bank holidays). You also have the option to buy or sell up to an additional five days of annual leave.

We’re proud of our people-first culture. In fact, we've been recognised as a Great Place to Work for Women, a Great Place to Work for Wellbeing, and an overall Great Place to Work for over 25 years! We’re fully committed to making sure your progression is not slowed or halted by barriers related to race, gender, age, sexuality or any of the protected characteristics.

Our fantastic benefits make sure our colleagues have a great work-life balance; You can view some of our other key benefits here.

Disability Confident Leader

As a Disability Confident Leader, for candidates with a disability or long-term health condition, that opt into the Disability Confident scheme, we’ll invite a fair and proportionate number of applicants that meet the essential requirements of the role to the first stage of our selection process.

If you need any adjustments or support with your application or during the recruitment process, just let us know. Please do email [email protected], contact us on 07789 816806. This number is dedicated to supporting candidates that require reasonable adjustments or support during the application process.

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