At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare monthly management accounts and analyse financial performance for nurseries.
- Company: Happy Days, a growing organisation supporting nurseries and early years teams.
- Benefits: Flexible working, ongoing professional development, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunity for hybrid working after six months and career growth.
- Why this job: Join a supportive team and develop your accounting skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: AAT Level 3 qualified with at least 2 years' experience in finance or accounting.
Location: Swindon
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
About Happy Days
Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.
We're looking for a detail-focused Management Accountant to join our growing finance team.
The Role
Reporting to the Senior Management Accountant, you'll play a key role in producing accurate monthly management accounts and cost reporting across our portfolio of nurseries. This is a hands-on role where you'll gather, validate and analyse financial data, helping operational leaders understand performance and make informed decisions.
You'll work closely with Early Years Managers, Finance Officers and the wider finance team, building strong relationships and developing your management accounting and cost accounting skills in a supportive environment. This role is ideal for an accountant looking to take the next step in their career and gain exposure to multi-site financial reporting within a growing organisation.
What You'll Be Doing
- Prepare monthly management accounts for nursery sites
- Produce site profit and loss reports and cost centre reporting
- Analyse financial performance against budgets and previous periods
- Investigate and explain cost and revenue variances
- Monitor and analyse staffing costs, payroll data and FTE reporting
- Reconcile costs and ensure accurate cost centre allocation
- Support the month-end process and management reporting cycle
- Assist with budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting activities
- Respond to financial queries from Early Years Managers
- Support new site integrations and finance improvement projects
- Maintain accurate records, reconciliations and audit trails
- Supporting the integration of newly acquired nursery settings into our reporting processes.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who combines strong accounting knowledge with commercial awareness and a desire to improve the way we work.
- Be AAT Level 3 qualified (or equivalent), with AAT Level 4, ACCA or CIMA studies planned/underway/willing to complete.
- At least 2 years' experience in an accounting, finance or management accounting role – in a multi-site business would be an advantage!
- Strong Excel skills, including formulas and pivot tables
- Experience preparing financial reports, reconciliations and variance analysis that might also include payroll or staffing cost analysis
- Confident working with financial systems and large datasets
- Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
- Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial information clearly
- A proactive, collaborative approach and desire to learn
What We Offer
We're proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive.
Flexible Working
Once our new hub is established (typically after around six months), you'll be able to work in a hybrid way, with around three days in the office and two days from home.
Learning and Development
- Ongoing professional development.
- Support with accounting CPD requirements.
- Opportunities to grow your career.
Health and Wellbeing
- Mental health and wellbeing support.
- Generous annual leave from day one.
Financial Benefits
- People's Pension.
- Life assurance.
Ready to Apply?
If you're an ambitious finance professional who enjoys working with data, solving problems and helping operational teams succeed, we'd love to hear from you. Please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining why you're interested in the role.
Closing Date: 31st August
Interview Dates:
- First Stage: 1st September to 4th September
- Second Stage: 7th September to 11th September
Inclusion and Safeguarding
Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children. All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.
Management Accountant in Lydiard Tregoze employer: Happy Days Nurseries
Happy Days is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in Swindon where employees can thrive and develop their careers. With flexible working options, ongoing professional development, and a strong focus on health and wellbeing, we empower our team members to grow while making a meaningful impact in the early years sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Management Accountant in Lydiard Tregoze
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
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Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Happy Days Nurseries. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Happy Days Nurseries.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Happy Days Nurseries. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Management Accountant in Lydiard Tregoze
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Happy Days Nurseries and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Happy Days Nurseries
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
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If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Happy Days Nurseries.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Happy Days Nurseries's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
