Assistant Management Accountant in Lancaster

Job Summary:

To support the Management Accountant and finance team in delivering accurate and timely management and statutory reporting in line with Group requirements.

The role involves assisting with month-end and year-end processes, providing financial analysis on revenue, costs, and capital expenditure, and supporting key stakeholders including SLT, ELT, and external auditors and advisors.

The role also includes providing cover for the Management Accountant when required and supporting continuous improvement within the finance function.

• Contributory Pension Scheme (5% Employer Contribution Raises up to 10% with Service)
• Medical Cash Back Plan (Simply Health)
• Life Assurance (4 x Annual Gross)
• Annual Performance Bonus
• Annual Pay Review
• Work Life Balance
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Free Yearly Flu Vaccination
• Onsite Free Car Parking
• Employee Assistance Programme – Health and Wellbeing
• 25 days per annum rising to 27 after 5 years’ service (plus 8 Bank Holidays and one company day)

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Prepare and post journals for management accounts, including overheads and cost of sales.
• Support variance analysis for sales, contribution, and overheads against budget and prior year.
• Analyse operational costs across commercial, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain functions, including labour, materials, and efficiencies.
• Maintain the Fixed Asset Register, ensuring accurate accounting, depreciation, and full audit compliance.
• Support monitoring of capital expenditure against budget, working with key stakeholders and Senior Leadership Team.
• Complete timely balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring all items are understood and resolved.
• Assist with product costings (BOMs and standards), ensuring accurate allocation of materials, labour, and overheads.
• Support stock takes activities, ensuring accurate counts and resolution of variances.
• Assist with external reporting requirements including audit, tax, VAT, ONS, and packaging waste submissions.
• Support finance operations including purchase/sales ledger, cash book processing, reconciliations, and stakeholder communications.

Personal Specifications:

• AAT Level 4 qualification (or equivalent), with experience working in a manufacturing environment and within a team-based setting.
• Strong attention to detail with a logical and analytical approach to problem-solving.
• Experience in financial or management accounting, including preparation of P&L and balance sheet accounts and reconciliation of key balance sheet components.
• Good understanding of standard costing systems and manufacturing Bill of Materials (BOMs).
• Proficient in the use of business and financial IT systems.