Management Accountant in London

We are looking for a Management Accountant to join a growing Finance team and take ownership of operating expenditure, cost accounting and expenditure reporting across the business.

This is a hands-on role with genuine ownership. You will play a key part in the monthly close, ensuring costs are accurately recorded, reconciled and reported, while also providing meaningful insight into departmental spending, cashflow and financial performance.

You will work closely with budget holders and department heads across the business, helping them understand their costs, challenge variances and make informed financial decisions.

If you enjoy combining technical accounting, analysis and business partnering, this is an excellent opportunity to make a visible contribution within a growing organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

Accounts Payable & Controls

• Own the company card expenditure process, including reviewing, validating and posting transactions in Spendesk.
• Support the Accounts Payable Assistant with invoice processing and bank reconciliations when required.
• Ensure appropriate financial controls are maintained across expenditure processes.
• Respond to internal and external queries relating to costs and AP.

Cost Accounting & Month-End

• Own all cost-related month-end processes, including accruals, prepayments, fixed assets, capitalisation and payroll journals.
• Review and validate account-code allocations to ensure costs are accurately and consistently recorded.
• Prepare and maintain balance sheet reconciliations and supporting schedules for cost-related accounts.
• Investigate unusual movements and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Manage intercompany invoicing and reconciliations, ensuring accurate and timely cross-charging.
• Prepare monthly variance and trend analysis, providing clear and insightful commentary.
• Contribute to the monthly Management Accounts Pack.

Reporting & Planning

• Prepare cost-related Board reporting and KPI analysis.
• Produce departmental spend reporting, identifying trends, risks and potential cost-saving opportunities.
• Prepare weekly and monthly expenditure cashflow reports and forecasts.
• Support the annual budgeting process and ongoing forecasting and planning cycles.
• Work with budget holders to understand cost drivers, challenge assumptions and improve financial visibility.

External Reporting & Compliance

• Support the external audit process.
• Assist with quarterly VAT submissions and related requirements.
• Ensure cost accounting records and supporting documentation are accurate and audit-ready.

Process Improvement & Business Partnering

• Build strong relationships with non-finance stakeholders and act as a trusted finance partner.
• Proactively gather information from department heads and budget holders to ensure accurate reporting and forecasting.
• Document and improve finance processes, controls and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, data quality and cost control across the business.

About You

You will be a commercially minded accountant who enjoys getting into the detail while also being able to step back and explain what the numbers mean to the wider business.

We're looking for someone who is:

• Experienced in cost accounting and month-end close, including accruals and prepayments.
• Confident owning balance sheet reconciliations from preparation through to resolution.
• Experienced in maintaining or owning a fixed asset register.
• Comfortable working with ERP/accounting systems; Xero experience is preferred.
• Experienced in VAT compliance and supporting or preparing VAT returns.
• Comfortable preparing weekly and monthly expenditure cashflow forecasts.
• Confident analysing variances, identifying cost drivers and communicating financial insights.
• A strong business partner who can build effective relationships with non-finance colleagues.
• Highly organised, accurate and comfortable managing multiple deadlines.
• An advanced Excel user with strong analytical skills.
• Either part-qualified or fully qualified (ACA, ACCA or CIMA), or able to demonstrate equivalent relevant experience.