Management Accounatnt in Haywards Heath

We are seeking an experienced Management Accountant to join our finance function, providing comprehensive support to the Group Financial Controller across all financial matters. This is a pivotal role within a multi‑brand organisation, encompassing the production of management and year‑end accounts, budgeting, forecasting, and a range of associated financial responsibilities. The successful candidate will operate within a structured reporting environment, working to defined deadlines while contributing to the ongoing development of financial systems and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Monthly Management Accounts
  • Produce accurate monthly management accounts within agreed deadlines, including prepayments, accruals, stock reconciliations, cost of goods control, fixed asset register and depreciation, and balance sheet reconciliations.
  • Deliver full profit and loss statements by brand, together with any additional reporting required by brand owners.
• Year-End Accounts
  • Prepare year‑end accounts in accordance with management accounting standards, including all supporting schedules required for audit.
  • Act as primary liaison with external auditors during the annual audit process, providing analysis as required.
• Budgeting and Forecasting
  • Produce annual budgets and in‑year re‑forecasts.
  • Prepare ad‑hoc budgets, including for online sales channels.
  • Ensure budgets are accurately phased on a monthly basis, in close liaison with departmental managers.
• Statutory and Compliance Responsibilities
  • Prepare and submit UK and Ireland VAT returns.
  • Conduct payroll verification following completion by HR and Payroll Administration.
  • Complete national statistics submissions.
  • Process various ad‑hoc payments as required.
• Team Supervision
  • Provide supervision of finance team members in relation to purchase ledger, agency staffing, payroll, and brand owner recharges.
  • Provide appropriate cover in the absence of other finance team members.

Candidate Requirements

• Demonstrable experience in a Management Accountant role, ideally within a multi‑brand or FMCG environment.
• Strong technical proficiency in management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and statutory reporting.
• Experience working with ERP systems, with the ability to identify and implement process improvements.
• Proven ability to liaise effectively with auditors, department managers, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities against firm deadlines.
• Experience supervising or supporting junior finance team members is desirable.

This role offers the opportunity to work within a well‑established, growing organisation with a diverse brand portfolio, providing genuine breadth of responsibility across core accounting, compliance, and reporting functions. Hybrid working. We are committed to continued improvement in terms of diversity and inclusion practices.