Cost Accountant

Job Description

Who will you be working with?

We are seeking an experienced Cost Accountant to join our team at Wabtec UK based in Birkenhead where we support our customers through maintenance and operation optimisation with customised solutions for spare parts, repair, and overhaul activities on existing trains.

Role: Cost Accountant

Salary: £Competitive

Location: Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside (CH41 1LF)

Contract Type: Permanent, Full-Time

How will you make a difference?

Develop strategies to protect margins through ensuring the costing system is up to date and accurate. Perform Audits to establish movements between forecasted and actual margins are achieved and investigate variances to standard costs and help identify and implement solutions. 

What will your typical day look like?

• Responsible for managing and updating of the costing system.
• Provide finance support to business / project managers from project appraisal through to their completion.
• Investigate variances to standards, assist in identifying solutions and their implementation.
• Forecasting contract margin by product line. 
• Provide post project contribution margin evaluation.
• Analysis and reporting on sales and our orderbook.
• Perform month end activities ensuring group reporting timetables are adhered to.
• Assist with external audit information requests.
• Annual Cost Roll up within ER system.

What do we want to know about you?

• You will either be qualified by experience or part/fully qualified (ACA, CIMA, ACCA)
• Experience in a manufacturing environment is desirable but not essential.
• Experience of costing systems and principles.
• Experience of working with ERP systems (Experience with Movex is advantageous).
• Ability to collaborate effectively across different business functions.
• Ability to work autonomously or as part of a team.

If you don’t have all the above criteria don’t worry, we would still like to hear from you as we live our values and always put people first and strive to expand what is possible.

Apply today!

Legal authorisation to work in the UK is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening.

*Please note that we do not accept agency candidate submissions without a formalised agreement with Wabtec Talent Acquisition. If you are an agency/third party Recruiter and have not been engaged by Wabtec for this search, we do not owe you a fee if you submit a candidate to the applicant tracking system that is ultimately hired.

Additional Information

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.

If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

Who are we?

Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at

Culture powers us and the possibilities.

We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.

We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.

Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.