Project Accountant / Business Partner
JOB_53838864782996Job type
TemporaryLocation
BristolWorking Pattern
Full-timeSpecialism
Senior Finance QualifiedIndustry
Government & Public ServicesPay
Market rate
Newly created project finance role in Bristol
- Project Accountant / Finance Business Partner
- Location: Bristol (hybrid)
- Contract: 3–6- month project (initially) – Outside IR35
- Start: April 2026
We are recruiting for a newly created Project Accountant / Finance Business Partner role to deliver a time‑critical compliance and governance project within a complex organisation. This is a highly visible assignment, working across Finance, Estates and Payroll, with exposure to senior stakeholders and external bodies.
The Project
The organisation currently has c.40 staff occupying residential accommodation, some at market rent and others at reduced/core housing rates where on‑site living is essential to the role.
The purpose of the assignment is to:
- Undertake a full review of staff residential tenancies
- Ensure full compliance with HMRC rules around eligibility for reduced rental charges
- Confirm that market rent reviews are being carried out appropriately
- Identify and calculate any benefit‑in‑kind (BIK) exposures
- Update and formalise internal guidance, which is currently outdated.
- Following the review phase, the role will move into implementation, embedding new processes and controls.
Key Responsibilities
- Review and assess all staff tenancy arrangements for HMRC compliance.
- Interpret and apply HMRC guidance relating to staff accommodation and benefits
- Understand and assess tenancy lease terms and eligibility criteria
- Calculate benefit‑in‑kind liabilities where rental reviews have not been applied correctly
- Support updates to payroll processes and financial accounting treatment
- Coordinate discussions with HM Treasury, HMRC and trade unions (not leading negotiations)
- Support approval and accounting for any losses or write‑offs identified
- Rewrite and formalise internal guidance, clearly defining:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Review timelines
- Governance and control processes
About You
- Qualified finance professional (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
- Strong technical accounting and compliance background
- Proven experience interpreting HMRC guidance, ideally relating to benefits or staff accommodation
- Comfortable working across multiple functions and senior stakeholders
- Confident, pragmatic and delivery‑focused
- Strong documentation and process‑improvement skills
- This role would suit a Project Accountant, Finance Business Partner or Technical Accountant with a strong compliance mindset.
Rate / Package
- Outside IR35
- Competitive day rate (aligned to an internal PB3 equivalent of c.£55-60k permanent)
- Hybrid working – Bristol-based
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or reach out to Charles Maidment from the Hays Bristol finance contract team.
If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Project Accountant / Business PartnerJOB_538388647829962026-03-242026-06-23
Talk to Charles Maidment, the specialist consultant managing this position
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JOB_53838864782996