At a Glance
- Tasks: Produce management accounts and support budgeting for schools in a dynamic finance team.
- Company: Join Inspiration Trust, a leading family of schools dedicated to educational excellence.
- Benefits: Generous leave, health plan, cycle-to-work scheme, and discounts on retail and theatre.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education finance while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: AAT qualified or working towards it, with experience in management accounts and budgeting.
- Other info: Full training provided, with excellent career growth opportunities in the education sector.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
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.
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 an 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.
About Inspiration Trust:
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.
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.
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. Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.
Management Accountant (Norwich) employer: Inspiration Trust
Contact Detail:
Inspiration Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Management Accountant (Norwich)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and education sectors. Attend local events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to management accounting. Think about how your skills can directly benefit the schools you’ll be working with. Show them you’re not just a number cruncher but someone who’s passionate about supporting education!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to tailor your approach! When you apply through our website, make sure your CV and cover letter highlight your relevant experience in producing management accounts and budget preparation. We want to see how you can bring value to our finance team!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the management accountant position!
We think you need these skills to ace Management Accountant (Norwich)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Management Accountant role. Highlight your experience with management accounts, budget preparation, and any relevant qualifications like AAT. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about finance in the education sector and how you can contribute to our team. Keep it concise but engaging – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to showcase your analytical and communication skills in your application. Mention specific examples where you've successfully bridged the gap between finance and operational management. We’re all about collaboration here!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspiration Trust
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your management accounting skills, especially around producing management accounts and budget preparation. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to handle accruals, prepayments, and variance analysis.
✨Understand the Education Sector
Familiarise yourself with the financial regulations and statutory requirements specific to the education sector. Even if you haven't worked in this field before, showing that you've researched how finance operates within schools can set you apart.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your interpersonal skills during the interview. Be prepared to share how you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders in previous roles. This is crucial as you'll need to work closely with school Principals and the Finance Director.
✨Show Your Passion for Learning
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for finance and education. Talk about any continuous professional development you've pursued or plan to pursue, especially if it relates to the education sector. This shows you're motivated and eager to grow in your role.