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- Tasks: Produce management accounts and support budgeting for schools in a dynamic finance team.
- Company: Join Inspiration Trust, a forward-thinking organisation transforming education across Norfolk and Suffolk.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, health plans, discounts, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting career growth in a collaborative network of schools.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your finance skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: AAT qualified or working towards it, with experience in management accounts and budgeting.
The predicted salary is between 33900 - 39500 ÂŁ per year.
Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale J - K: ÂŁ39,862 to ÂŁ47,181 per annum
Working Weeks: 52 weeks
Start Date: March 2026
This management accountant vacancy is a rare and exciting opportunity for an ambitious management accountant to gain valuable experience in the public education sector. We are seeking a highly organised and motivated management accountant to welcome into our dynamic, high achieving finance team. You will deliver accurate monthly management accounts for our schools, preparing and monitoring budgets, ensuring that we meet all regulatory and statutory requirements and best practice. You’ll work mainly from our central offices in Norwich (currently NR1 2PW), which will be relocating to new, modern facilities in Cringleford (NR4 7FU) on the outskirts of the city in approximately April 2026.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Timely production and accuracy of management accounts for an allocated number of academies to include accruals, prepayments, monthly forecasting, variance analysis and commentaries
- Production of salary variance reports to enable strategic decision making around staffing levels, with reference to the Department for Education’s Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning guidance
- Supporting school Principals and Finance Director with ongoing review and maintenance of our Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning
- Preparation and monitoring of annual and 3-year budgets and support of Trust wide budgeting process, including meetings with key stakeholders
About You
You’ll have excellent presentation and organisation skills and the ability to build strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring that we are offering the highest standard of education to our pupils at all times. You will also be analytical, detail-oriented strategic thinker with strong communication skills, bridging the gap between finance and operational management. You will ideally need to be fully AAT qualified, with experience of working in a finance environment. Experience of working within the education finance sector would be a significant advantage but demonstration of the ability to transfer skills from other sectors would be equally advantageous. Full training around finances in the education sector will be provided.
Essential
- Experience of producing management accounts
- Experience of budget preparation
- Experience of balance sheet and year-end reconciliations
- AAT status or working towards AAT status
- Excellent IT and excel skills
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be that written or oral
- Motivational and striving attitude
- Accurate and diligent work
- Works well in a fast-paced and high-volume role
- Passion for learning and development
- A passion for Finance and supporting the provision of excellent education
Desirable
- Fully or part ACA/ACCA qualified
- Degree or equivalent level of education
- Experience of working within the education sector
Why Join Inspiration Trust
At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you’ll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.
We offer:
- Generous annual leave, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions
- Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs
- Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology)
- Free parking at most sites
- Personalised CPD and development programmes
- A structured and specific induction programme
About Us
Inspiration Trust is a thriving family of schools across Norfolk and North Suffolk, recognised nationally for pupil progress and excellence in teaching and leadership. We believe every young person deserves the best education, regardless of background. The Trust offers extensive networks and opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to delivering outstanding professional and learning opportunities for all staff, supported by a rich programme of continuing professional development led by some of the country’s leading educational thinkers and practitioners. We believe it is important to support every school by centralising key support services. This approach reduces workload for senior leaders, provides value for money across a range of integrated services, and ensures that our academies benefit from a strong local support structure that promotes the sharing of best practice. As a Trust, we continually review our services to ensure they remain responsive to the needs of individual academies. Our Central Services team, currently based at The Hewett Academy site in Norwich, provides expert support across HR, Payroll, Recruitment, Finance, Governance, Operations, ICT, Marketing, and Estates - enabling our schools to focus on what they do best: teaching and learning.
Next Steps
Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the “Planning your application” section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years. To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form. When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.
Closing date for applications 12pm on Sunday 22nd February 2026
Interview date Wednesday 4th March 2026
Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities
Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Management Accountant in Norwich employer: Inspiration Trust
Contact Detail:
Inspiration Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Management Accountant in Norwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in education. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to management accounting. Think about how your skills align with the role and be ready to share examples of your past work that demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for education finance! During interviews, express why you want to work in this sector and how you can contribute to improving financial processes in schools. It’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the latest opportunities right there, tailored just for you.
We think you need these skills to ace Management Accountant in Norwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing your application, take a good look at the job description. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the key responsibilities and skills required for the Management Accountant role.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We want to see how your experience and skills match up with what we need. Highlight your relevant experience in producing management accounts and budget preparation, and don’t forget to mention your AAT status if you have it.
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, it’s important to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application, and maybe even share an example of how you’ve successfully collaborated with others in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully and check your spam folder for any emails from us during the process. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspiration Trust
✨Know Your Numbers
As a management accountant, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in producing management accounts. Brush up on your knowledge of accruals, prepayments, and variance analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these skills in previous roles or how you would approach them in this position.
✨Budgeting Brilliance
Since budget preparation is key for this role, come prepared with examples of budgets you've managed or contributed to. Think about how you can explain your process for monitoring budgets and ensuring compliance with regulations. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Build Relationships
The job requires strong interpersonal skills, so think about how you can showcase your ability to build collaborative relationships. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your communication skills and how you've worked effectively with stakeholders in the past. This will help you stand out as a team player.
✨Passion for Education Finance
Show your enthusiasm for working in the education sector. Research the specific challenges and opportunities within education finance and be ready to discuss how your passion aligns with the mission of the organisation. This will demonstrate that you're not just looking for any job, but are genuinely interested in making a difference in education.