Charity Management Accountant

Merlin; Poole; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LEGO discount 40%

Retail & restaurant discounts 25%

Merlin Magic Pass – global access for

Enjoy the Ride Pass – Merlin Annual</n

Volunteer days

Hotel discounts worldwide

Cinema tickets discount

Job summary

Merlin Entertainments invites applications for a Charity Management Accountant to strengthen the financial foundations of its Merlin’s Magic Wand team, supporting both UK and USA charities. The role blends hands‑on finance with insightful analysis to enable informed decisions and stronger controls across the charity portfolio.

You'll manage key transactional processes, contribute to year‑end reporting, and drive continuous improvements while aligning with governance and compliance requirements.

Qualifications

• Recent experience in a finance team, ideally management accounting.
• Experience preparing monthly management accounts and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical skills with ability to produce MI.
• Experience with day‑to‑day transactions and accurate records.
• Proficiency in Excel and Word; knowledge of Dynamics NAV/Navision desirable.
• Understanding charity VAT, charity accounting or Gift Aid is advantageous.
• Excellent communication, attention to detail and problem‑solving mindset.

Responsibilities

• Own day‑to‑day finance operations across Merlin's Magic Wand UK and USA charities.
• Produce monthly management accounts, reporting and analysis for stakeholders.
• Maintain strong financial controls and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support audit processes, year‑end reporting and audit recommendations.
• Process core transactions: purchase/sales ledgers, journals, payments.
• Collaborate with fundraising, delivery and leadership teams for insight.

Skills

Management accounting

Financial reporting

Financial analysis

Bookkeeping

Excel

Navision/Dynamics

VAT knowledge

Charity accounting

Communication

Attention to detail

Process improvement

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Navision

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

What you'll bring to the team

We're looking for a Charity Management Accountant to join our Merlin’s Magic Wand team and help ensure the financial foundations of our charity remain strong, accurate and effective.

If you're someone who enjoys combining hands‑on finance responsibilities with meaningful analysis and insight and you want your work to contribute to creating moments of joy, play and life‑long memories for children and families around the world facing adversity, this could be the role for you.

In this varied and collaborative role, you'll take ownership of the day‑to‑day finance operations across both Merlin's Magic Wand charities in the UK and USA. Working closely with the Charities Finance Director, you'll ensure financial reporting, controls, reconciliations and compliance activities are delivered to a high standard, providing the financial information needed to support effective decision‑making across the organisation.

You'll produce monthly management accounts, reporting and meaningful financial analysis, helping stakeholders understand performance and identify opportunities for improvement. You'll work with colleagues across fundraising, delivery and leadership teams, translating financial information into clear and actionable insight.

Alongside reporting responsibilities, you'll play a key role in maintaining strong financial controls, ensuring balance sheet reconciliations are completed accurately, and financial records remain audit‑ready throughout the year. You'll also support compliance requirements, restricted fund accounting and wider financial governance activities.

You'll manage core transactional finance processes, including purchase ledger, sales ledger, journals and payment runs, helping to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the finance function.

As a key contact during the annual audit process, you'll coordinate information requests, prepare supporting schedules and work closely with external auditors to ensure a smooth and successful audit. You'll also support year‑end reporting and help implement improvements arising from audit recommendations.

We're also looking for someone who enjoys improving processes and finding better ways of working. You'll review existing finance processes, strengthen controls and identify opportunities to increase efficiency and consistency across both charities.

This is a full‑time, permanent role, working Monday to Friday.

Qualifications & Experience

• Recent experience working within a finance team, ideally in a management accounting role
• Experience preparing monthly management accounts and supporting financial reporting processes
• Strong financial analysis skills and the ability to produce meaningful management information
• Experience processing day‑to‑day financial transactions and maintaining accurate financial records
• Strong Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word skills
• Experience using Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Navision or similar accounting software (desirable)
• An understanding of VAT principles, with charity VAT knowledge beneficial
• Knowledge of charity accounting, fund accounting or Gift Aid (advantageous)
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain financial information to non‑finance stakeholders
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy
• A proactive approach to problem solving, continuous improvement and managing competing priorities
• A genuine connection to the mission of creating joy, play and life‑long memories for children and families facing adversity

Benefits

• 40% off LEGO online
• 25% discount in our retail shops and restaurants
• Merlin Magic Pass - giving you free tickets to all our attractions worldwide for you, your family, and friends every year
• Enjoy the Ride Pass – Giving you and 5 others a Merlin Annual Pass (Gold edition)
• X2 volunteer days per year
• Discounted rates at Merlin hotels all over the world
• Employee pricing up to 55% off cinema tickets

If you have any questions or if you require any assistance, because of a disability or medical condition, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Pay Range

Competitive