Senior Financial Accountant

HYBRID / LOCATION (2 days per week in the London Holborn office)

Times Higher Education is the data provider underpinning university excellence in every continent across the world.

As the company behind the world’s most influential university ranking, and with almost five decades of experience as a source of analysis and insight on higher education, we have unparalleled expertise on the trends underpinning university performance globally.

Our data and benchmarking tools are used by many of the world’s most prestigious universities to help them achieve their strategic goals and our events series act as the home of higher education thought leadership around the world.

Role Overview

We are seeking a qualified and technically strong Senior Management Accountant to join our finance team.

Reporting to the Financial Controller, this role owns the monthly management accounting cycle, ensures a robust control environment, and provides the accurate, timely financial information our PE backers, Board, and senior stakeholders rely on.

This is a hands-on role with genuine scope to shape process and progress throughout the Financial Control function.

Key Responsibilities

• Management Accounting & Reporting
• Prepare and deliver the monthly management accounts pack accurately and to deadline.
• Own balance sheet reconciliations and control accounts, ensuring a clean, well-supported balance sheet.
• Conduct the month-end group P&L review and variance analysis (budget vs. actual vs. forecast), providing clear commentary on performance drivers.
• Assist FP&A with producing detailed revenue and gross profit reporting by product, customer, or business unit as relevant.
• Board Reporting
• Contribute financial information and analysis to Board packs (including Balance Sheet, Cash Flow & Net Working Capital movements).
• Support the Financial Controller and FP&A/Finance Business Partner team in preparing business plans/investment case slides and ad hoc requests.
• Support the preparation of statutory accounts (FRS 102 / IFRS as applicable) and be the main point of contact for the year-end external audit for the auditors.

You will ensure that any queries are answered accurately and in a timely manner, coordinating Finance team members to contribute to those responses wherever necessary.

• Prepare and submit VAT returns; support corporation tax return preparation where required.
• Maintain the fixed asset register, including additions, disposals, and depreciation.
• Maintain supplier level reconciliations for prepayments and accruals each month.
• You will be responsible for preparing regulatory compliance returns and reports on behalf of the Group, including (but not limited to) our obligations around ESG reporting.
• Insurance
• Assist the Group Financial Controller with day-to-day administration of the Group’s insurance policies and acting as a point of contact for the Group's insurance broker(s).

This will involve

• Managing the annual renewal cycle across all policies, ensuring cover is appropriately reviewed, benchmarked, and renewed on time.
• Liaising directly with insurers on claims, ensuring they are notified, progressed, and resolved promptly.
• Cash & Treasury
• Support the Fin Ops team with the preparation of 13w cashflow forecasts, and support day-to-day cash management.
• Controls & Process Improvement
• Develop and maintain a strong internal controls environment across your area of responsibility.
• Identify and implement process improvements, using Excel, Power Query, BI tools, or automation to increase efficiency and scalability.
• Team & Stakeholder Management
• Mentor the junior Management Accountant, supporting their technical development.
• Deputise for the Financial Controller as required.
• Collaborate with the Finance Business Partner team and non-finance stakeholders, providing analysis and support for wider business projects.

Skills & Experience Required

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience in a management accounting role, ideally within a PE-backed or fast-growing business.

Potential for someone from an audit background to enter industry for the first time as well.

• Strong technical accounting knowledge (FRS 102 and/or IFRS as relevant to the business).
• Experience of, or exposure to, Board or investor reporting is advantageous.
• Experience mentoring or managing junior team members.
• Experience of using Net Suite as an accounting systems is advantageous.
• Strong Excel skills; experience with BI or automation tools is advantageous.
• A process improvement mindset and comfort operating in a fast-paced, growing environment.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to engage non-finance stakeholders.

You do You.

With colleagues located around the world, we know that our individuality and diversity of experiences are our greatest strengths.

That’s why we want THE to be a place where you are welcome to be who you want to be at work; where you can share whatever part of your life or self-identity you want, without obligation or facing discrimination; and where all abilities and perspectives are recognised and accommodated.