At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management, prepare accounts, and provide insights for effective decision-making.
- Company: Join Uxbridge High School, a thriving academy with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Supportive team culture with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial management in an ambitious educational environment.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong management accounting experience.
The predicted salary is between 53171 - 53171 £ per year.
The Finance Team plays a vital role in supporting the school's strategic priorities, ensuring strong financial management, accountability and value for money. As Senior Management Accountant, you will report to the Director of Finance & Operations and take ownership of a broad range of management accounting and financial management responsibilities. You will lead on the preparation of management accounts, budget monitoring, forecasting, reconciliations, cashflow reporting, payroll review and financial controls. A key part of the role will be providing clear financial insight and commentary to the Director of Finance & Operations, senior leaders, trustees and budget holders, helping ensure financial information translates into effective organisational decision-making. You will also have supervisory responsibilities, providing technical guidance to colleagues, reviewing finance work and helping to ensure the team consistently delivers accurate work to agreed deadlines.
Key responsibilities
- Leading on monthly management accounts, forecasts and budget monitoring
- Providing insightful variance analysis and financial commentary
- Supporting senior leaders and budget holders with financial advice
- Leading month-end and year-end processes
- Maintaining and reviewing key balance sheet and control account reconciliations
- Managing cashflow reporting and wider financial planning
- Reviewing and reconciling monthly payroll
- Supporting internal and external audit processes
- Supporting the five-year budget plan and integrated financial planning
Experience & qualifications
We are seeking a fully qualified accountant with a recognised professional qualification such as ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS or equivalent. You will have a strong management accounting background and experience across areas such as management accounts, forecasting, budget monitoring, reconciliations, month-end and year-end processes. We are particularly keen to speak with candidates who have experience of:
- Producing management accounts and financial reports
- Budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
- Financial controls and reconciliations
- Audit preparation and supporting audit queries
- Improving financial systems and processes
- Working accurately to tight deadlines
- Advanced Excel and financial data analysis
Experience within a school, academy trust, charity, public sector or similarly regulated environment would be advantageous. Knowledge of academy finance requirements, ESFA returns and school MIS platforms would also be desirable. You will be a confident communicator who can explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders, challenge appropriately and build strong relationships across an organisation.
Goodman Masson are delighted to be supporting Uxbridge High School with the appointment of a Senior Management Accountant. We are looking for a technically strong, fully qualified accountant to join the Finance Team at this exciting and ambitious school, playing a key role in strengthening financial management and supporting effective decision-making across the organisation.
About Uxbridge High School
Uxbridge High School is a highly successful, oversubscribed co-educational academy for students aged 11-18, with more than 1,300 students, including 220 students in the sixth form. The school has a strong local reputation and is proud of its diverse and ambitious student body, dedicated staff and commitment to providing a gold standard education.
Alongside a salary of £49,054 - £53,171 per annum, inclusive of Outer London weighting, the successful candidate will receive:
- 34 days' annual leave, rising to 37 days after 10 years' continuous service
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Early finish on Fridays
- Private healthcare and wellbeing support
- Staff wellbeing initiatives
Senior Management Accountant employer: Uxbridge High School
Uxbridge High School is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. As part of the Finance Team, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the school's financial strategy while enjoying a range of benefits, including ongoing training and development opportunities in a vibrant educational environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Management Accountant
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Uxbridge High School. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Uxbridge High School.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Uxbridge High School. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Management Accountant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Uxbridge High School and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Uxbridge High School how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Uxbridge High School
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Uxbridge High School.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Uxbridge High School's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
