Management Accountant

Heidi Wright Recruitment; Carlisle; Hybrid; GBP 51,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension Scheme

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Cycle to Work scheme

Occupational sick pay

Job summary

Heidi Wright Recruitment is working with a not-for-profit healthcare organisation in North Cumbria to appoint an experienced Management Accountant. The role blends financial control, business partnering and digital transformation, with leadership of four finance staff and cross-functional influence.

You'll shape monthly accounts, budgeting, forecasting and system improvements, using Excel, Power BI and cloud-based accounting tools to drive value for money and better decision-making.

Qualifications

• Strong management accounting, budgeting and forecasting capabilities.
• Experience with financial controls and balance sheet integrity.
• Proven leadership of finance teams and cross-functional collaboration.
• Background in healthcare or NHS environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts and cash-flow.
• Maintain balance sheet integrity and financial modelling.
• Lead four finance staff and oversee transactional finance processes.
• Collaborate with payroll, pensions and senior stakeholders to improve systems.

Skills

Budgeting & Forecasting

Financial Controls

Team Leadership

Management Accounting

Power BI

Excel

Xero

Payroll & Pensions

Data & Automation

Education

CCAB/CIMA qualified

Tools

Power BI

Xero

Cloud-based accounting systems

Job description

A broad Management Accountant opportunity combining financial control, team leadership, business partnering and digital transformation.

Heidi Wright Recruitment is working with a values-led, not-for-profit healthcare organisation operating across North Cumbria to appoint an experienced Management Accountant.

This is considerably broader than a traditional Management Accountant position. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, you'll have the opportunity to influence how the finance function operates - strengthening financial controls, developing reporting, improving systems and helping senior and operational colleagues make better-informed decisions.

The organisation is going through a period of transformation and is looking for someone who brings strong core accounting capability alongside a genuine interest in systems, technology, automation and continuous improvement.

The role

You'll take responsibility for a varied portfolio including monthly management accounts, budgeting and forecasting, cash-flow management, balance sheet integrity and financial modelling.

Importantly, you'll also provide day-to-day leadership and development to four finance team members, oversee transactional finance processes and have involvement across payroll and pensions.

There is a significant improvement element to the position. You'll work closely with the Director of Finance to review existing processes and controls, improve the quality and accessibility of financial information and help identify and implement improvements to finance-related systems.

You'll be encouraged to make smarter use of Excel, Power BI, cloud-based accounting systems, data and automation, rather than simply maintaining existing ways of working.

Business partnering is equally important. You'll work with practice teams, operational colleagues and senior leaders, translating complex financial information into clear, useful insight and helping the organisation identify opportunities to improve value for money.

Who are we looking for?

You may already be working as a Management Accountant, Finance Manager, Financial Accountant or in a similarly broad finance position.

Ideally, you'll be CCAB/CIMA qualified, although candidates who can demonstrate substantial equivalent senior finance experience will also be considered. Strong management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial controls and balance sheet experience are important, together with the confidence to challenge existing processes and improve them.

Previous healthcare, NHS or primary care experience would be advantageous but is certainly not essential. Strong transferable experience from another complex organisation, coupled with the ability to learn quickly, is equally welcome.

Experience of payroll, pensions, VAT, Xero or similar cloud-based software and Power BI would all be useful, but not every desirable criterion is expected.

Package & working arrangements

The salary offered is up to £57,000, depending on experience. The position is full-time at 37.5 hours per week, although some flexibility may be considered for the right individual.

The role offers considerable flexibility and can be undertaken remotely or on a hybrid basis, with travel to sites across North Cumbria approximately once a month and as required.

Benefits include NHS Pension Scheme membership, with a current employer contribution of 23.7%, alongside 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service, occupational sick pay following probation and a Cycle to Work scheme.

The successful candidate would ideally start by the first week of January 2027, allowing time for a handover with the current postholder, although an earlier start would be welcomed.

Recruitment timetable

Closing date: Friday 2 October 2026

Shortlisting: Monday 5 October 2026

Interviews: Friday 9 October 2026 - in person, Cumbria location

This is a particularly attractive opportunity for someone who enjoys the technical foundations of finance but wants more breadth, autonomy and influence - improving systems and reporting, developing a team and working closely with senior stakeholders rather than simply producing the monthly numbers.