Management Accountant - Part time

Salary: £42,000 – £46,000 FTE
Hours: 25 hours per week, full year
Location: Didcot
Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

The Opportunity

Our Client, a Education Trust, is looking to appoint an experienced and motivated Management Accountant to play a key role in the delivery and development of its finance function.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, you will take operational responsibility for the management accounting activities, ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective budget management and robust financial controls across the organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious finance professional to take on a varied role within an education environment, combining hands-on management accounting with team leadership, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement.

You will also supervise and support two Finance Officers, providing technical guidance, developing their skills and ensuring the effective delivery of the Trust's financial processes.

Key Responsibilities

Management Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Lead the monthly management accounting cycle, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.

• Support the preparation of annual budgets and medium-term financial forecasts across the Trust and its schools.

• Review management accounts, variance analysis and forecasts, ensuring reports are accurate and delivered to agreed deadlines.

• Work closely with budget holders and school leaders to review financial performance and provide meaningful financial insight.

• Prepare financial reports for the Trust Board, Finance & General Purposes Committee and Local Governing Bodies.

• Provide financial modelling, scenario planning and forecasting to support strategic decision-making.

Financial Accounting & Controls

• Review month-end journals, accruals, prepayments and accounting adjustments.

• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and investigate outstanding issues.

• Maintain accurate financial records and supporting schedules for management and statutory accounts.

• Ensure robust financial controls are maintained across the Trust.

• Monitor compliance with the Academy Trust Handbook, Finance Manual and Scheme of Delegation.

• Identify opportunities to strengthen financial processes and improve efficiency.

Audit & Compliance

• Act as the main management accounting contact for internal and external auditors.

• Coordinate audit working papers and supporting documentation.

• Respond to audit queries and monitor agreed recommendations.

• Support the preparation of statutory and regulatory returns, including DfE and HMRC submissions.

Systems & Team Leadership

• Lead the administration of the Trust's budget system (IMP), including user access and permissions.

• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes through technology and automation.

• Supervise, support and develop two Finance Officers, allocating workloads and providing ongoing coaching and technical guidance.

• Build strong working relationships with Headteachers, School Business Managers and budget holders across the Trust.

Essential Requirements

• AAT Level 4 qualified, studying towards a recognised professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or CIPFA), or qualified through significant relevant experience.

• GCSE English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.

• Experience of management accounting, budgeting and financial reporting.

• Strong technical knowledge of month-end processes, reconciliations and financial controls.

• The ability to analyse financial information and communicate findings effectively.

• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work to deadlines.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the confidence to engage with stakeholders at all levels.

Desirable:

• Part-qualified accountant.

• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

• Experience working within an education, academy trust or wider not-for-profit environment.