Interim Management Accountant

Investigo; Hertford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Investigo is assisting a university in recruiting an Interim Management Accountant to provide hands-on support within the Management Accounts team. The role focuses on forecasting, budgeting and financial management across professional service directorates, with a 3‑month initial contract and umbrella pay.

The post requires strong Excel skills, experience in management accounting and the ability to engage with budget holders and non-finance staff.

Qualifications

• Experience in management accounting and budgeting
• Ability to forecast and produce reliable management information
• Strong Excel modelling and reporting skills
• Able to engage with budget holders and non-finance colleagues

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts and variance analysis
• Lead forecasting activities across directorates
• Meet with budget holders to review performance against budget
• Gather and challenge forecast assumptions
• Produce accurate forecasts and variance analyses
• Support budget monitoring and financial planning processes
• Provide financial advice to devolved budget holders
• Assist with business partnering across professional services
• Ensure timely and accurate financial information for decision-making
• Support ad hoc financial reporting and analysis

Skills

Forecasting

Budgeting

Stakeholder engagement

Independent working

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent

Tools

Excel

Job description

We are working with a university to find an experienced Interim Management Accountant to provide immediate support within the Management Accounts team. This role has arisen to backfill resource gaps and ensure business-as-usual financial activities continue uninterrupted while the team focuses on a number of urgent priorities. You will join a team of 10 management accountants and play a key role in supporting forecasting, budgeting and financial management across a range of professional service directorates.

The Role

This is a hands‐on management accounting and business partnering position requiring someone who can quickly integrate into the team, build relationships with stakeholders and deliver high-quality financial information with minimal supervision. A significant focus of the assignment will be supporting the University’s upcoming forecasting cycle for 2026/27, working closely with budget holders to understand current expenditure trends, risks and opportunities, and producing accurate forecasts for senior management. The role will primarily support directorates such as:IT ServicesFinance ServicesLegal ServicesMarketing and CommunicationsEstates and associated functions

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts and associated financial analysis.
• Lead forecasting activities across allocated directorates.
• Meet regularly with budget holders to review financial performance against budget.
• Gather, challenge and validate forecast assumptions.
• Produce accurate financial forecasts and variance analysis.
• Support budget monitoring and financial planning processes.
• Provide financial advice and support to devolved budget holders.
• Assist with business partnering activities across professional service functions.
• Ensure financial information is timely, accurate and fit for decision‑making.
• Support ad hoc financial reporting and analysis as required.

The Successful Candidate

• Previous experience working in a management accounting role.
• Strong forecasting and budgeting experience.
• Proven ability to engage effectively with budget holders and non-finance stakeholders.
• Strong Excel skills, including analysis, modelling and reporting.
• Able to work independently and quickly become productive within a new environment.
• Part‑qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA) or qualified by experience.
• Experience in the Higher Education sector desireable but not essential.

What’s On Offer?

This is initially a 3 month contract paying £225 - £250 per day (via umbrella). ASAP startThe role requires 1 day per week on site but may require 2 - 3 days occasionally to meet with stakeholders.