Finance Business Partner

About the Role

Our client, a rapidly expanding engineering company located in South Tipperary, Ireland, is seeking a Finance Business Partner with a commercial accounting background. This role involves working closely with engineers and project teams to enhance profitability, enforce financial controls, and ensure the successful execution of mechanical engineering projects on both national and international fronts.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with a focus on business partnering within engineering, construction, project accounting, manufacturing, or industrial sectors. They will have a detailed, analytical mindset coupled with excellent communication and influencing abilities, enabling the translation of financial data into actionable business recommendations. Familiarity with lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methods and advanced Excel capabilities along with ERP system experience are essential. The candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced project environment, demonstrating proactive problem-solving skills and effective multisession prioritization.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineering teams to generate precise cost estimates and pricing for customer quotations and tenders.
• Assess project assumptions, including labor, material, subcontractor costs, and overhead allocations.
• Support bid reviews to ensure projects meet commercial viability and margin targets.
• Provide financial input in contract negotiations and commercial decisions.
• Develop and manage project budgets from start to finish.
• Track project costs against budgets, identify variances, and recommend corrective measures.
• Work with Project Managers to understand performance and financial risks.
• Ensure accurate allocation of labor, materials, overhead, and capital expenditures.
• Prepare monthly forecasts covering revenue, costs, profitability, and cash flow.
• Assist with rolling forecasts and annual budget preparations.
• Analyze project trends and issue early warnings regarding cost overruns or delivery risks.
• Conduct scenario modeling to aid business choices.
• Produce monthly financial reports detailing project performance, margins, utilization, and key performance indicators.
• Provide variance analysis comparing budgets and forecasts, with explanations and recommendations.
• Support month-end and year-end financial close processes related to projects.
• Build strong relationships with Engineering Managers, Project Managers, Procurement, and Operations staff.
• Challenge and support operational decisions using financial data and commercial insight.
• Enhance financial understanding within engineering teams through coaching and guidance.
• Participate in project reviews to contribute to informed decision-making.
• Ensure adherence to company financial policies and project governance.
• Maintain robust internal controls related to project costing, revenue recognition, and spending approvals.
• Support audit activities and continuous improvement efforts.
• Identify opportunities to refine financial processes, reporting, and system efficiencies.

Requirements

• Qualification as an Accountant (ACA, ACCA, ACMA, CPA, or equivalent).
• At least 3 years of business partnering experience within industry sectors such as engineering, construction, project accounting, manufacturing, or industrial environments.
• Strong analytical skills combined with excellent communication and influencing capabilities.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing or continuous improvement is advantageous.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience working with ERP systems.