Management Accountant (Finance Operations Lead) in Penryn
Management Accountant (Finance Operations Lead)

Management Accountant (Finance Operations Lead) in Penryn

Penryn Full-Time 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead finance operations and deliver high-quality financial insights for strategic decisions.
  • Company: Falmouth University, a vibrant creative community with 120 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Generous pension contributions, 35 days holiday, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in higher education while developing your career in finance.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in management accounting and team leadership.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.

We’re looking for a dynamic Management Accountant to deliver high‑quality financial and management accounting for Falmouth University and our partners, Falmouth Exeter Plus. This is your opportunity to influence strategic decisions, modernise financial practices, and make a visible difference.

You’ll lead the finance operations for a defined portfolio, combining hands‑on delivery with value‑adding partnership to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities
  • Own and modernise day‑to‑day finance operations across your area, ensuring a seamless, accurate and efficient service with consistent standards and strong controls.
  • Partner leaders across academic and professional services, providing timely, commercial advice that informs operational and strategic decisions.
  • Produce high‑quality monthly management accounts with insightful variance analysis, lead regular budget‑holder reviews, and provide accurate income & expenditure forecasts.
  • Shape plans and cases: support capital and revenue planning, full‑economic‑costing and investment appraisals to enable long‑term sustainability.
  • Lead and develop a team, coaching for consistency, service excellence and continuous improvement.
  • Ensure compliance and readiness for audit; contribute to statutory returns and annual financial statements, improving policies, processes and systems where needed.
  • Drive cross‑University projects, bringing financial insight to transformation and performance improvement.

You’ll work at the intersection of higher education and commercial operations, gaining breadth across multi‑entity/group finance.

Qualifications and skills
  • A qualified accountant (e.g., ICAEW, CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA).
  • Experienced in management or financial accounting within a complex organisation, operating at both operational and strategic levels.
  • Skilled in communicating financial information clearly to non‑finance colleagues.
  • Proficient with integrated finance systems, Excel and current financial regulations; proactive about process improvement and change.
  • Experienced in leading or supervising teams and building a collaborative high‑performing culture.
  • Experience in Higher Education and/or multi‑entity organisations together with VAT and Corporation Tax knowledge is an advantage.

This is a permanent, full time, 35 hours a week position across Monday‑Friday. We operate a hybrid flexible approach to working with the opportunity to work from home and either our Penryn or Falmouth campus. An on-campus presence will be required for at least 2 days per week.

If you are looking to have an informal discussion about the vacancy ahead of applying, please email recruitment@falmouth.ac.uk. The closing date for the position is Sunday 1 March 2026.

Benefits
  • Employer Pension Contribution up to 12%.
  • 35 days + 8 days bank holiday.
  • Relocation Assistance to 10% of salary.
  • Annual salary increments (Until top of grade reached).
  • Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Pay.
  • Salary Sacrifice Car Scheme (Tusker).
  • Salary Sacrifice Cycle Scheme.
  • Salary Sacrifice Home & Tech Scheme.
  • Life Assurance.

Full details on our employee benefits can be found on our careers page www.falmouth.ac.uk/jobs. Alongside these benefits we offer a first class working environment across our campuses with all the facilities you would expect from a leading University.

A successful external candidate for this position would be employed by Falmouth Staffing Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Falmouth University. Employees of Falmouth Staffing Ltd work alongside Falmouth University colleagues in the delivery of Falmouth’s strategic vision and will adopt Falmouth University’s HR policies and procedures in full.

Falmouth University welcomes and encourages job applications from people of all identities and backgrounds, particularly those under-represented and/or marginalised, as it is important we have a diverse range of candidates to consider.

Management Accountant (Finance Operations Lead) in Penryn employer: FALMOUTH UNIVERSITY

Falmouth University is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Management Accountant, you will benefit from a generous pension contribution, extensive annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth within a supportive environment. With a commitment to modernising financial practices and influencing strategic decisions, this role provides a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the higher education sector while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Falmouth and Penryn.
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Contact Detail:

FALMOUTH UNIVERSITY Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Management Accountant (Finance Operations Lead) in Penryn

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Falmouth University or similar organisations on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just get your foot in the door.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the university's financial operations and recent projects. Show us you’re not just a numbers person but someone who understands how finance drives strategic decisions.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to explain complex financial concepts to non-finance colleagues, so make sure you can break it down simply and clearly.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with us directly.

We think you need these skills to ace Management Accountant (Finance Operations Lead) in Penryn

Qualified Accountant (ICAEW, CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA)
Management Accounting
Financial Accounting
Variance Analysis
Budget Management
Income & Expenditure Forecasting
Capital and Revenue Planning
Investment Appraisals
Team Leadership
Coaching and Development
Compliance and Audit Readiness
Integrated Finance Systems
Excel Proficiency
Communication Skills
Knowledge of VAT and Corporation Tax

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Management Accountant role. We want to see how you can influence strategic decisions and modernise financial practices!

Showcase Your Financial Savvy: When writing your application, emphasise your experience in management or financial accounting. We’re looking for someone who can communicate financial information clearly, so don’t shy away from sharing examples of how you've done this in the past.

Highlight Team Leadership Skills: Since you'll be leading a team, it’s important to mention any relevant leadership experience. Share how you've coached teams for consistency and service excellence, as we value a collaborative high-performing culture.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our fantastic benefits there!

How to prepare for a job interview at FALMOUTH UNIVERSITY

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Management Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. Prepare examples of how your insights have influenced strategic decisions.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this role involves leading a team, think about your leadership style and be prepared to share specific instances where you've coached or developed team members. Highlight how you foster a collaborative culture and drive continuous improvement.

✨Understand the Higher Education Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the unique financial challenges and opportunities within higher education. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the sector's needs, especially regarding compliance and audit readiness.

✨Communicate Clearly

You'll need to convey complex financial information to non-finance colleagues. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms and prepare to demonstrate your ability to provide commercial advice that supports operational decisions.

Management Accountant (Finance Operations Lead) in Penryn
FALMOUTH UNIVERSITY
Location: Penryn

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