Management Accountant

To support the Financial Controller in delivering effective financial management, reporting and control across the Trust. The postholder will lead on management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, balance sheet control and financial reporting activities, while overseeing transactional finance processes and supporting continuous improvement across the finance function.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

• Financial Management & Reporting: Support month-end and year-end processes, ensuring integrity of the ledgers and timely close down. Prepare monthly management accounts, variance analysis and supporting commentary. Post routine journals including accruals, prepayments, payroll and recharges. Monitor budgets and investigate material variances, providing analysis and insight to support decision-making.
• Financial Control, Treasury & Compliance: Prepare and review reconciliations including bank, debtors, creditors and control accounts, resolving discrepancies promptly. Support cash flow forecasting, bank monitoring and inter-account transfers. Support VAT returns and compliance with Trust Financial Regulations, the Academies Financial Handbook and audit requirements. Assist with implementing recommendations arising from internal and external audits.
• Finance Operations: Support the day-to-day operation of the finance function, ensuring transactional processes operate effectively and in accordance with Trust procedures. Work closely with Purchase Ledger and Sales Ledger staff to support timely and accurate processing. Adopt a hands-on approach during peak periods including month-end, audit and budget setting. Promote consistency, accuracy and adherence to Trust procedures across finance processes.
• Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger: Oversee purchase ledger activities, ensuring invoices, payments and purchase orders are processed accurately and authorised appropriately. Ensure supplier reconciliations are completed and outstanding issues resolved promptly. Oversee sales ledger processes, ensuring income is recorded accurately and outstanding debts are actively monitored. Assist with preparation of annual budgets and periodic reforecasts for non-salary other expenditure.
• Fixed Assets, Audit & Systems: Assist with maintaining the fixed asset register, ensuring additions, disposals and depreciation are accurately recorded. Take responsibility for designated balance sheet reconciliations. Support external audit processes, including preparation of schedules and responses to audit queries. Contribute to finance projects, process improvements and development of finance systems and procedures.
• Safeguarding & General Duties: Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people in line with Trust policies. Uphold the Trust’s values of integrity, respect, diversity, teamwork and excellence. Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role and grade.

Person Specification

• Qualifications & Experience: Studying towards a professional qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA or equivalent experience). Significant finance experience, ideally within education, academy trusts, public sector or not-for-profit organisations. Experience preparing management accounts, reconciliations, budgets and forecasts. Experience working closely with transactional finance processes including purchase ledger, sales ledger and reconciliations. Experience maintaining effective financial controls and supporting audit processes. Knowledge of procurement, VAT, and cash flow management.
• Skills & Attributes: Strong technical accounting knowledge including reconciliations, accruals/prepayments and month-end processes. Strong Excel and finance systems skills. Excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills. Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders. Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills. High levels of accuracy, professionalism, integrity and confidentiality. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively to deadlines. Positive, proactive and solution-focused approach.

The post will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. Wembley Multi-Academy Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes all applicants.