Role Overview
Location: Onsite
Salary Range: 45,000 - 55,000 GBP
The Learning Experience (TLE) is one of the fastest-growing early years education providers in the US, and through its Banana Moon brand, has an established and growing presence in the UK. We are looking for a Senior Finance & Reporting Accountant to be based at Banana Moon HQ in Warwick, providing financial accounting, reporting, and business partnering support across our UK business — spanning Banana Moon franchised and corporate nurseries as well as the four TLE-operated centres in the UK.
This is a hands-on role suited to a commercially minded accountant who is comfortable working in a transatlantic business structure, can manage month-end independently, and has the communication skills to liaise between UK operations and US finance leadership. You will report to senior finance leadership and play a key role in building out the financial rigour of our growing UK business.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Reporting
- Lead the monthly close process for UK entities, including journal entries, accruals, and general ledger maintenance
- Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations and bank reconciliations
- Prepare management accounts and financial reporting packs for UK operations
- Perform variance analysis against budget, forecast, and prior periods, with clear commentary for non-finance stakeholders; track key financial and operational KPIs on a monthly basis to support performance management and early identification of emerging risks
- Maintain accurate records in line with UK GAAP (FRS 102) and support compliance with HMRC obligations including VAT returns
- Assist with year-end statutory accounts preparation and support the external audit process
US Consolidation & Transatlantic Collaboration
- Collaborate with the US finance team to consolidate UK financial results into the group reporting structure
- Produce UK financial reporting in formats compatible with US corporate requirements and timelines
- Act as a key point of contact for the US finance team on UK accounting matters, supporting alignment between UK GAAP and US GAAP where required
- Participate in cross-border finance initiatives, process improvement projects, and system development
Franchise Network Support
- Support financial performance analysis of the Banana Moon franchise network
- Review financial information submitted by UK franchise centres and ensure consistency with reporting standards
- Support the internal franchise team across all departments with accounting and finance queries, including budgeting, VAT, and expense management
FP&A & Business Partnering
- Own the annual budgeting and rolling forecast process for UK entities, coordinating inputs across operations, headcount, and occupancy costs, and delivering a consolidated view aligned to Group timelines
- Build and maintain dynamic financial models to support scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, and strategic decision-making across the UK business
- Develop and maintain forecast assumptions, documenting key drivers and ensuring alignment between actuals, short-term forecast, and long-range plan
- Act as a primary business partner to UK operational leadership, translating financial performance data into clear, decision-ready insights and actionable commentary
- Coordinate with US Group headquarters on UK planning submissions, ensuring forecast deliverables meet corporate requirements for consolidation and Board-level reporting
- Monitor performance against budget and forecast on an ongoing basis, proactively flagging risks and opportunities and recommending corrective actions to UK and Group management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with UK operations, HR/People, and payroll teams to support accurate payroll accounting and cash management
- Work closely with the UK People & HR team on headcount reporting and labour cost analysis
- Support the preparation of audit schedules and respond to internal and external audit requests
- Work with accounts receivable and accounts payable functions to support timely month-end cut-off, reconciliation of intercompany balances, and resolution of aged items
Requirements
Essential
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline
- ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualified or part-qualified — or actively progressing toward qualification
- 3–5+ years of accounting experience in practice (public accounting) or industry
- Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP (FRS 102) and month-end close processes
- Confident with VAT compliance and an understanding of HMRC reporting requirements
- Advanced Excel skills; comfortable working with large datasets and building financial models
- Strong communication skills — ability to translate financial information for non-finance audiences
- Comfortable working independently and managing competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Desirable
- Experience in a multi-entity or group accounting environment
- Exposure to US GAAP or experience supporting international consolidation
- Familiarity with ERP systems such as NetSuite, Oracle, or similar
- Experience in the childcare, education, leisure, or franchise sector
- Experience with account reconciliation tools such as BlackLine
Benefits
Why Join Us
Banana Moon is a well-loved UK childcare brand with over 50 franchised nurseries and a reputation for quality, community, and warmth. As part of The Learning Experience family, we are backed by one of the largest early years education providers in North America — which means career growth, transatlantic exposure, and the chance to build something meaningful as our UK footprint expands.
- Competitive salary — in line with experience and market rate
- 28 days annual leave including Bank Holidays
- Auto-enrolment pension scheme
- Childcare fee discount at Banana Moon and TLE centres
- Genuine career development opportunity as the UK business grows
- A collaborative, people-first culture with strong US and UK leadership support
