Accounting Manager

BPP; Abingdon; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

30 days annual leave

Study for free courses

Job summary

BPP, part of the Lyceum Education Group, is seeking an experienced Accounting Manager to lead the day-to-day finance function for BPP Actuarial Education. You will drive accurate reporting, strong controls, and compliance while supporting internal and external stakeholders.

You will manage the accounts team, oversee monthly close, and coordinate statutory accounts and audits. A DBS check is required; hybrid working is available.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by significant relevant experience.
• Experience managing accounting or finance operations.
• Experience preparing management accounts, budgeting and forecasting.
• Strong understanding of financial controls and compliance.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing team members.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close processes.
• Ensure balance sheet reconciliations and key controls.
• Coordinate preparation of statutory accounts and audits.
• Maintain VAT and tax reporting compliance.
• Lead and develop the accounts team and liaise with stakeholders.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Numerical ability

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

Sage

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Here at BPP (part of Lyceum Education Group) an opportunity has arisen for an experienced professional to join the team as an Accounting Manager. You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the finance function for BPP Actuarial Education, ensuring accurate financial reporting, effective financial controls, regulatory compliance and high-quality support to internal and external stakeholders. What if you read the description and don't meet every single requirement? We encourage you to apply anyway - we value diverse backgrounds and are committed to inclusivity! Why work for BPP? It is a great time to join BPP as we have enjoyed a sustained period of growth, offering a wealth of opportunities to our staff, students and clients. There are many more great reasons to join BPP such as:

• Brilliantly, you can study any of our courses for free - be it a professional qualification or full degree.
• With hybrid working available, you'll be able to split your time between one of our centres and wherever you choose to call home.
• We also provide a generous annual leave entitlement of 30 days, and there's a rewards package that includes retail discounts and much more.

Other key benefits include our Group Personal Pension Plan, dedicated private healthcare and dental plans that offer additional assurance to look after you and your family.

What you’ll be doing

In this role you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the finance function for BPP Actuarial Education, leading and developing the accounts team while ensuring accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance and effective financial controls.

• Preparing monthly management accounts and financial reports
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities
• Overseeing month-end and year-end close processes
• Ensuring balance sheet reconciliations and key financial controls are completed accurately and on time
• Monitoring financial performance and investigating significant variances
• Overseeing sales ledger, purchase ledger, credit control and banking activities
• Managing customer and supplier finance queries, including credit arrangements and invoicing matters
• Overseeing apprenticeship and other specialist invoicing processes
• Coordinating the preparation of statutory accounts and supporting external audits
• Ensuring compliance with VAT and other relevant tax reporting requirements
• Managing, coaching and developing members of the accounts team
• Building effective relationships with colleagues across BPP Actuarial Education and the wider BPP Group
• Liaising with external stakeholders including auditors, suppliers and customers
• Identifying opportunities to improve financial processes, controls and reporting
• Supporting finance-related projects and business change initiatives

To be successful in this role you will need to have a proven track record in the following areas, Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by significant relevant experience

• Previous experience managing accounting or finance operations
• Experience preparing management accounts and supporting budgeting and forecasting processes
• Strong understanding of financial controls, accounting principles and compliance requirements
• Experience leading, developing and supporting team members
• Excellent numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately under pressure
• Good organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Proficiency in accounting systems (ideally Sage) and Microsoft Excel
• Ability to build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders

The interview process for this position will consist of the following stages

• 1 hour MS Teams competency style interview

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic DBS and credit check. As a Disability Confident employer, BPP is committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process. Candidates are encouraged to share any adjustment requirements ahead of interview so these can be considered and accommodated.

BPP (part of Lyceum Education Group) actively promotes equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential, and welcomes applications from a wide range of candidates.

Please note that for those posts that are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a DBS check in addition to BPP undertaking any necessary online searches.

This is deemed appropriate and necessary from a safeguarding perspective, and in line with BPP safer recruitment practices BPP reserves the right to amend or withdraw this advertisement at any time prior to the closing date, should we receive a high volume of applications or if business needs change.