Management Accountant in East Grinstead

Location - Gloucester (with travel to West Sussex approximately every 1-2 months). We are part of a fast-growing private equity-backed group with a portfolio of successful businesses operating across the UK. This role will support two established businesses within the group, both operating within the HVAC and engineering services sector. Our businesses provide specialist technical solutions to customers across a range of industries, and we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality service through strong operational teams.

As part of our continued growth, we are looking for a talented and ambitious finance professional to join the team and take ownership of the finance function across these two businesses.

The Role

You will take day-to-day ownership of the finance functions for two SME businesses; one based in Gloucester and one based in East Grinstead, while benefiting from direct support and guidance from the Group Head of Finance, who previously held responsibility for these two businesses. This role offers the ideal balance of autonomy and support. You will be trusted to manage the finance operations, lead a small team and provide financial insight to the businesses, while having an experienced finance leader available to support your development, review key outputs and help you continue to grow. The role is particularly suited to an experienced Assistant Management Accountant or Management Accountant looking for their next step, or someone who wants broader responsibility and exposure within a growing private equity-backed group.

What we offer

• Salary of £35,000-£45,000 depending on experience.
• Study support scheme available for relevant professional qualifications.
• A genuine opportunity to develop your career within a growing private equity-backed group.
• Direct mentoring and support from an experienced Group Head of Finance.
• A broad role with ownership across two businesses.
• Exposure to management reporting, cash flow forecasting, team leadership and commercial finance.
• The opportunity to develop leadership skills and progress within a growing organisation.

Responsibilities

Management Accounting & Reporting

• Produce accurate and timely monthly management accounts for both businesses.
• Complete month-end processes, including journals, accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare management information and provide commentary on financial performance.
• Analyse variances and identify key trends, risks and opportunities.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and year-end audit requirements.
• Maintain strong financial controls and accounting processes.

Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Prepare and maintain an 18-week rolling cash flow forecast.
• Monitor working capital performance across both businesses.
• Support effective cash management and highlight potential risks or opportunities.
• Work closely with operational teams to improve financial performance.

Finance Operations

• Take ownership of the day-to-day finance function across both businesses.
• Oversee sales ledger, purchase ledger and credit control processes.
• Ensure invoices, payments and receipts are processed accurately and efficiently.
• Review aged debtors and support improvements in cash collection.
• Maintain effective finance processes and controls.

Payroll

• Manage payroll processing for both businesses.
• Ensure payroll is accurate, timely and compliant.
• Payroll/HR reporting to group.
• Previous payroll experience is desirable, although full training can be provided.
• Lead, support and develop a team of three Accounts Assistants.
• Allocate workloads, review outputs and provide guidance and coaching.
• Encourage continuous improvement and a positive finance team culture.

Business Partnering & Improvement

• Build strong relationships with operational managers and key stakeholders.
• Provide financial insight to support business decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, controls and efficiency.
• Support wider group finance initiatives as the organisation continues to grow.

Skills & Qualifications Required

• We are looking for someone who is proactive, organised, commercially minded and enjoys taking ownership.
• You will be comfortable working in a hands-on SME environment and will have the ambition to continue developing your career.
• You may already be working as a Management Accountant, or you could be an ambitious Assistant Management Accountant ready to step into a broader role with more responsibility.
• Experience working within an accounting or finance environment.
• Consistently demonstrates professionalism, accountability, and sound judgement, approaching responsibilities with discretion, reliability, and a solutions-focused mindset.
• Experience preparing monthly management accounts and supporting month-end processes.
• Strong understanding of double-entry bookkeeping, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Good Excel skills and confidence using accounting systems.
• Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach.
• Willingness to travel to the West Sussex office approximately every 4-8 weeks.
• Around 5 years' experience working in accounting or finance.
• AAT qualified, studying towards ACA, ACCA or CIMA, qualified by experience (QBE), or recently qualified.
• Previous experience working in practice, with exposure to accounts preparation, audit support or a variety of clients.
• Previous experience supervising or developing junior finance team members.
• Previous experience partnering with senior management.
• Experience working within SMEs or multi-entity businesses.
• Experience improving finance processes and controls.

Why Join Us?

This is not a typical Management Accountant role. You will have the opportunity to make a real impact across two successful engineering services businesses while being supported by an experienced Group Head of Finance who understands the role and the journey ahead. If you are looking for a role where you can broaden your experience, develop your leadership skills and build a long-term career within a growing business, we would love to hear from you.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, colour, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability.