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- Tasks: Support financial performance in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with hands-on management accounting.
- Company: Join CR Smith, a leading manufacturer focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Benefits: Gain exposure to senior stakeholders and develop your skills in a collaborative finance team.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and involvement in key commercial decisions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on manufacturing performance through insightful financial analysis and decision-making.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in manufacturing and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Your new company Hays is delighted to be working exclusively with CR Smith on the recruitment of a Management Accountant to join their Finance Team. CR Smith operates within a fast-paced manufacturing environment, producing a range of high-volume, engineered products. With a strong operational footprint and a focus on continuous improvement, the business places real value on accurate financial insight to support decision-making across production, commercial and operational teams. Finance plays a critical role in driving performance, cost control and strategic outcomes.
Your new role As a Management Accountant, you will play a pivotal role in supporting financial performance across a busy manufacturing operation. Reporting to the Head of Finance, this position blends hands-on management accounting with operational partnering, cost analysis and systems improvement. You will support the production of monthly management accounts, including P&L reporting, balance sheet reconciliations and variance analysis, while also delivering weekly flash reports focused on production efficiency, labour utilisation and material variances.
A key part of the role involves manufacturing costing, including maintaining and reviewing standard costs, analysing variances between standard and actuals, and working closely with production teams to understand cost drivers, material usage, wastage and labour productivity. The role also contributes to budgeting and forecasting, supporting annual budgets, rolling forecasts and scenario modelling relating to pricing changes, raw material inflation and operational adjustments. You will operate as a true business partner to operations, supply chain and commercial teams, providing clear, insightful analysis to support continuous improvement initiatives. Alongside this, you will support inventory management, internal controls, audit preparation and year-end processes, while also driving system and process improvements, including ERP optimisation, automation of reporting and finance transformation initiatives.
What you'll need to succeed To be successful in this role, you will be a fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent) with experience in a manufacturing environment. You will bring strong costing and variance analysis skills, alongside advanced Excel capability and confidence in financial modelling and data analysis. You will be comfortable communicating financial information to non-finance stakeholders and working collaboratively across operational teams in a fast-moving, production-driven setting. A proactive, analytical and detail-driven mindset is essential, with the confidence to challenge, influence and drive improvement. Experience within manufacturing sectors such as building products, glass, joinery or engineering is advantageous, as is exposure to lean manufacturing or continuous improvement methodologies.
What you'll get in return In return, you will join a business where finance has genuine impact and visibility across operations. This role offers exposure to senior stakeholders, involvement in key commercial and operational decisions, and the opportunity to influence manufacturing performance through high-quality financial insight. You will also have the chance to develop your technical and commercial skillset within a collaborative finance function committed to process improvement and digital transformation.
What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Management Accountant in Fife employer: Hays Accountancy and Finance
Contact Detail:
Hays Accountancy and Finance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Management Accountant in Fife
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and manufacturing sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your financial modelling and variance analysis skills. We recommend practising common interview questions related to management accounting and being ready to discuss how you've driven improvements in past roles. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical mindset! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share specific examples of how you’ve used data to influence decisions or improve processes. We want to see that you can turn numbers into actionable insights.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you who can make a real impact in finance. Let’s get you that Management Accountant role!
We think you need these skills to ace Management Accountant in Fife
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Management Accountant role. Highlight your experience in manufacturing, costing, and variance analysis. We want to see how your skills align with what CR Smith is looking for!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your advanced Excel skills and any financial modelling experience. We know these are key for the role, so make them pop in your application!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your cover letter, be clear and concise about why you’re the perfect fit. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your analytical mindset and ability to drive improvement.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you on the path to joining the finance team at CR Smith!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Accountancy and Finance
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Management Accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to manufacturing, such as P&L statements and variance analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've used these insights to drive performance in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled cost analysis and operational improvements in the past. Think about specific scenarios where your analytical mindset led to significant savings or efficiency gains. This will show that you can bring real value to CR Smith's finance team.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll be working with non-finance stakeholders, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. During the interview, try to convey your thoughts clearly and confidently, ensuring that everyone understands your insights and recommendations.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully partnered with operations or supply chain teams in the past. Highlight your ability to influence and drive improvements through collaboration, which is crucial in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.