Financial Accountant

Reaseheath College and University Centre; Nantwich; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

47 days annual leave

Pension scheme 19.8%

Enhanced maternity pay

Enhanced sick pay

Employee Assistance Programme

Pluxee reward scheme

Free on-site gym membership

Onsite Starbucks & cafes

External benefit access

Job summary

Reaseheath College and University Centre is seeking a Financial Accountant to join our Finance Department on a permanent, full-time basis. The role focuses on high-quality financial reporting, statutory compliance and supporting the College's financial objectives.

You will lead monthly management accounts, oversee statutory financial statements and the annual audit, manage fixed asset records and VAT submissions, and supervise a small team of accounts staff.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification ACA/ACCA/CIMA required.
• Experience in a Finance department in a similar role.
• Strong management accounts, year-end accounting and audit preparation experience.
• Experience of managing financial controls and compliance processes.
• Proven track record with fixed asset registers and VAT submissions.
• Advanced Excel skills and ability to handle large data sets.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the production of the Monthly management accounts.
• Lead on the production of the College Statutory Financial Statements and annual audit.
• Reconciliation & oversight of all balance sheet control accounts monthly.
• Management & maintenance of Fixed Asset, Depreciation & Grant Records.
• Working closely with key stakeholders to ensure accurate asset management & project reporting.
• Lead on the calculation & submission of Partial exemption VAT returns and ensure compliance with VAT legislation.
• Manage a small team of Accounts Assistants.

Skills

Financial reporting

Management accounts

Audit preparation

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Excel

Job description

About Reaseheath

Reaseheath College and University Centre is a leading land-based and technical education provider, with a proud history stretching back over 100 years. Our mission is simple: to deliver industry focused, career ready education that transforms lives and supports the future of all our learners - from further education, higher education, apprenticeships and adult courses.

Set in a stunning rural campus near Nantwich in Cheshire, we offer an inspiring place to work, with industry-leading facilities, strong employer partnerships and a clear focus on innovation, sustainability and real-world skills.

Working at Reaseheath

Working at Reaseheath means being part of a supportive, ambitious and values-driven community. Our staff play a vital role in shaping futures, helping our learners develop the skills, confidence and experience they need to succeed in their careers.

We are committed to creating a positive working environment where colleagues feel valued, supported and able to grow. With opportunities for professional development, strong industry links and a collaborative culture, you can build a rewarding career while making a genuine impact.

Job Title: Financial Accountant

Status: Permanent, Full Time, 37 Hours per week

Closing Date: 12pm Thursday 12th November 2026

Assessment Centre Date: Thursday 26th November 2026

Overview

Reaseheath College and University Centre is one of the UK's leading specialist land-based and technical education providers. Based on a modern rural campus near Nantwich, Cheshire, we are committed to delivering high-quality education, developing future talent and supporting industry through strong employer partnerships.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Financial Accountant to join our Finance Department. This role offers the chance to work within a complex and diverse organisation, providing high-quality financial reporting, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and supporting the College's financial objectives.

This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced finance professional looking to make a valuable contribution within a well-established and forward-thinking organisation.

About the role

Key responsibilities

• Lead on the production of the Monthly management accounts
• Lead on the production of the College Statutory Financial Statements and annual audit
• Reconciliation & oversight of all balance sheet control accounts monthly
• Management & maintenance of Fixed Asset, Depreciation & Grant Records
• Working closely with key stakeholders to ensure accurate asset management & project reporting
• Lead on the calculation & submission of Partial exemption VAT returns and ensure compliance with VAT legislation
• Manage a small team of Accounts Assistants

The successful candidate will

• Have a professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Experience of working in a Finance department in a similar role
• Strong management accounts, year-end accounting & audit preparation experience
• Experience of managing financial controls & compliance processes
• Proven track record of working with fixed asset registers & completing VAT submissions
• Advance excel skills & confidence working with large data sets
• An understanding of financial control processes, financial regulations & governance in an education environment is desired but not essential.

We can offer you

• 47 days annual leave including Bank Holidays and Christmas Closure
• Generous pension scheme with an employer contribution of 19.8%
• Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
• Enhanced sick pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Pluxee reward scheme
• Free on site gym membership
• Onsite Starbucks along with multiple restaurant and cafe outlets
• Access to a multitude of external benefits through local businesses to the Cheshire area
• Specialist equipment reflecting industry practice

As a College, we actively encourage applications from industry professionals without a teaching qualification, as well as those from qualified teachers. Reaseheath offers a full CPD programme with access to funded qualifications alongside hands on support whilst completing Further Education Training. Industry professionals joining the College in an academic role, will complete their Further Education Training whilst in post.

Please note this role constitutes 'regulated activity' as defined by the Protection of Freedom Act 2012. The successful candidate will therefore be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check with barred list information prior to starting employment. You must also have the right to work in the UK and will be required to provide evidence to support this. In addition, online checks will be carried out during the recruitment process. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Reaseheath College is committed to achieving its public sector general equality duty, which is set out in the Equality Act 2010. The College has a clear mission and clear values, which incorporate equality, diversity and inclusion.

The College staff recruitment and selection process, CPD processes, policies and practice are designed to ensure that when employment decisions are made, they are based solely on the skills and qualities required for the position and comply with all relevant employment legislation and best practice standards.

Disability Support

The College is a Disability Confident Employer and will support any reasonable adjustments you require to perform your best during the recruitment process. You can contact the People Services team at [e-mail] should you require any adjustments during either your application or during the assessment centre.

Safer Recruitment Statement

The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) makes certain regulated activity (i.e. work with children and/or young people) exempt from the Act and therefore requires individuals seeking to work with these groups to be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check with children's barred list, amongst other safer recruitment checks.

Where a post is classed as exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, you will be required to reveal all convictions not classed as 'protected' by the Ministry of Justice guidelines, both spent and unspent.

Any information given will be completely confidential and will be considered in relation to an application for positions to which the Order applies. Please note that certain criminal convictions may affect your eligibility for employment with the college, but having a previous conviction will not automatically bar you from employment. Please refer to the college website for the policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.

This information is considered sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Act 2018. It will only be used for the purposes of this recruitment exercise and will be safely disposed of after six months if you are not successful in your application for this vacancy.

Other safer recruitment checks that will be carries out during the recruitment process include online checks and prohibition from teaching checks (where relevant).

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the advertised close date if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

We do not accept applications or speculative CVs through recruitment agencies.