Management Accountant

Location: Syston LE7, hybrid (3–4 days office based)

ROLE PURPOSE

The Management Accountant is the engine room of this high growth division, owning the end-to-end month-end close process and the production of accurate, timely management accounts.

Working closely with the Financial Controller, the role is responsible for the integrity of the divisional numbers, the quality of financial reporting, and the strength of controls — freeing the Financial Controller to focus on strategic business partnering and senior stakeholder engagement.

This is a newly defined role representing a genuine step up for the right candidate. This division is a high-growth area and a key focus for future investment — this is not a steady-state position. The successful candidate will bring strong technical skills from a mature finance environment, the confidence to engage commercially, and the drive to improve the way finance works. There is a clear pathway to Financial Controller level for the right person.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Month-End & Reporting

• Own the full month-end close process for the Division, ensuring the timetable is adhered to, and all deliverables are produced accurately and on time.
• Prepare and post all month-end journals including accruals, prepayments, and any required adjustments.
• Produce and maintain all balance sheet reconciliations to a high standard, ready for Financial Controller review.
• Draft the monthly MI pack including P&L commentary, variance analysis, and supporting schedules for review by the Financial Controller.
• Prepare variance analysis with factual explanations, developing over time towards providing fuller operational context and commentary.
• Manage divisional-specific reporting.

Supporting Business Partnering & Forecasting

• Provide accurate and well-presented financial information to the Financial Controller to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Assist in gathering and compiling forecasting inputs, supporting the Financial Controller in producing the monthly divisional forecast.
• Respond to data and reporting queries from operational colleagues clearly and promptly, with the Financial Controller leading on deeper analysis and challenge.

Control & Compliance

• Maintain strong financial controls across all divisional processes, escalating issues promptly and appropriately.
• Review and approve transactional postings prepared by junior team members.
• Lead the preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns for the division.
• Support payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and other divisional compliance requirements.

Leadership & Development

• Line manage at least one junior finance team member, providing structured coaching, feedback, and development.
• Deputise for the Financial Controller in their absence.
• Act as a role model for what good looks like in a high-performing finance function.

Finance Transformation & Other

• Play an active role in the ongoing finance transformation programme, including optimisation of Sage Intacct and wider process improvement.
• Support statutory accounts preparation, external audit, and the integration of acquisitions or new ventures.
• Deliver ad hoc analysis and project support as required by divisional and group finance leadership.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Qualifications

(Essential)

• Part-qualified or fully qualified ACA, ACCA, or CIMA (study support available for part- qualified candidates).or Qualified by experience with equivalent technical depth considered.

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a management accounting or equivalent role, with clear evidence of month-end ownership.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge: accruals, prepayments, balance sheet reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Experience working within a mature, structured finance function — you know what good looks like and can bring that knowledge to the business.
• Confident communicator: able to present financial information clearly to non-finance audiences and provide credible challenge.
• Advanced Excel skills; competent user of finance systems with a high attention to detail.

Desirable

• Experience with Sage Intacct or a comparable ERP system.
• Experience in social care, education, or a multi-site regulated environment.
• Some exposure to line management, mentoring, or involvement in a finance system implementation.

Attributes

• Commercially curious; looks beyond the numbers to understand what they mean for the business.
• Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-oriented — takes ownership and follows through.
• Committed to continuous improvement, with a growth mindset and the ability to help others develop.
• Able to work at pace, manage competing priorities with confidence, and thrive in a dynamic environment.

SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE LOOKS LIKE

• The month-end cycle is owned and delivered to deadline, with accurate accounts and insightful MI packs that drive decision-making.
• Operational managers across the Division receive clear, accurate financial information in a timely way, supporting the Financial Controller’s business partnering activity.
• Financial controls are robust, consistently applied, and continuously improved.
• Junior team members are actively coached and developed, with the bar for what good looks like clearly understood across the team.
• The finance transformation programme benefits from an engaged, improvement- minded contributor who helps shape how finance works.