Weir Group is a highly regarded FTSE 250, Glasgow headquartered engineering business with a global footprint spanning over 70 countries. The company employs more than 14,000 people and is organised into three sector focused divisions:  Minerals, Oil & Gas and Flow Control.

With an auspicious history in Glasgow industry the company has in recent year’s undergone significant growth both operationally and in terms of its geographical footprint.  In 2015, the Group reported profits before tax, exceptional items and intangibles amortisation, of £220m against revenue of £1.9bn. These are impressive results, particularly during an extended period of general economic uncertainty, and unprecedented downturn in minerals and oil markets more specifically, which have required the Group to act proactively to mitigate the impact on the business.

The Opportunities

The Finance Systems Team (FST) is responsible for managing the Group-wide Financial Performance Management (FPM) suite, consisting of Cognos Controller, Cognos FAP, Cognos TM1 and Cognos BI. The FST manages analysis of change requests, development, testing and promoting content through to Production. In addition, the FST is responsible for system readiness for each reporting cycle as well as managing user security, which includes a bi-annual internal security review and acting as primary liaison for external auditors, and providing general support and training to the 300+ user base.

The roles within FST will assume the lead for the Cognos Controller and Cognos TM1 applications and will report to the Group Finance Systems Manager. As the roles develop, there would be an opportunity for the successful candidates to up-skill in other applications.

These are newly created positions and present an excellent opportunity for first class, qualified individuals to join an impressive multinational. The business actively promotes career development and the successful candidates will also have the opportunity to enhance their existing skillset via “Weir University”, the Group’s online learning portal.

Primary responsibilities for both roles as follows:

• To support Group Finance in their monthly, quarterly and annual internal and external reporting responsibilities through undertaking system readiness tasks and query resolution, and in other ad hoc areas as required
• To investigate user reported issues and manage these efficiently and effectively to resolution; logging user issues, liaising with other team members and/or departments in order to ensure the user is provided with a timely response; collating and regular reporting of user issue statistics and outstanding issues
• To ensure access to FPM is appropriately controlled and regularly reviewed; adhering to user security change procedures; carrying out a twice yearly internal security review; assessing the impact of entity change requests on user security; maintaining the user security Access database; maintaining the user email distribution list
• To review change requests, ensuring these are managed efficiently and effectively; logging change requests, carrying out change impact assessments, liaising with other team members to ensure holistic approach; providing reports for team meetings and Change Control Board meetings
• To carry out minor technical development work, ensuring change control is adhered to; co-ordinating appropriate test activities; working through the entire development life cycle following best practice and standards
• To provide necessary change control evidence to external auditors as part of the external audit process at the half and full year;

The Individuals: 

The Finance Systems Accountant positions would be ideally suited to high calibre, qualified accountants who have experience of maintaining and supporting finance systems. In addition, applications are welcomed from qualified accountants with user experience only, but who have a strong desire to work in a more involved role. It is likely that you will have worked in a large corporate/firm environment and experience of manufacturing/engineering/listed companies would be an advantage.

Education and Experience:

• Graduate and qualified accountant with minimum 2 years’ post qualification experience
• Experience of financial reporting and consolidation systems
• Knowledge of Cognos Controller and/or Cognos TM1 preferred
• Knowledge of other Cognos products such as FAP and BI desirable but not essential
• Experience of working in an international environment would be an advantage

Key Skills:

• Excellent written, verbal and presentation communication skills
• Advanced in MS office suite (2010) – Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint
• Understanding of business intelligence principles desirable but not essential
• Understanding of structured change management desirable but not essential
• Understanding of structured software delivery lifecycle desirable but not essential

Remuneration and Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary of up to £55,000 (DOE), there is a generous pension, private medical insurance, a bonus of up to 30% of salary and 25 days’ holiday plus 10 statutory days.

What to do Next:

To apply, see a full Position Profile or for a confidential discussion, please contact our retained advisor Mark Lewis at Rutherford Cross at [email protected] or call 0141 6117770

Please note any direct or third party applications will be sent to Rutherford Cross for assessment.