Management Accountant

Catalyst; North East; Hybrid; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

Healthcare

Hybrid working

Modern HQ with transport links

Job summary

Catalyst, a fast-growing, entrepreneurial business delivering tech-driven experiential engagement for hospitality brands, seeks a Management Accountant in Newcastle. You will own day-to-day finance, drive systems, controls and reporting, and help the company scale internationally with strong cross-functional collaboration.

Reporting to the Commercial Director, you’ll lead budgeting and forecasting, partner with auditors and external advisors, and mentor junior finance staff.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification required.
• Strong hands-on management accounting experience in fast-moving businesses.
• Advanced Excel skills and ERP/accounting systems experience (Sage Intacct preferred).
• Interest in automation/AI and process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly management accounts including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow.
• Provide KPI reporting, variance analysis and financial commentary.
• Maintain governance and internal controls across the business.
• Coordinate year-end close, tax returns and statutory reporting.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities.
• Support multi-currency treasury and international expansion initiatives.
• Mentor part-qualified staff and support recruitment planning.

Skills

Advanced Excel

ERP/Accounting systems

Tech orientation

Stakeholder communication

Process improvement

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Sage Intacct

FP&A tooling

Job description

Unique, new opportunity to join a fast-paced, growing, entrepreneurial business delivering custom, tech-driven, experiential, customer engagement event equipment and services to world-class hospitality and leisure businesses, nationally and internationally. At c.£10m turnover, profitable and with an excellent cash position, this ambitious company of c.30 staff, a real "hidden gem", is looking to strengthen its finance department in recruiting to a newly created and wide-ranging Management Accountant position.

Reporting to the Commercial Director, supporting the drive for further global growth and with strong potential for career progression and development, you'll work closely with operational and development leadership and teams in taking full ownership of the day-to-day finance function.

Leading and supporting in building and improving finance systems, controls, processes and team - a real opportunity to make an impact - as Management Accountant you'll play a key role in ensuring the highest standards of financial discipline and reporting the business needs to continue to scale. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading/owning the preparation of monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reporting, including related liquidity management
• Producing KPI reporting, variance analysis and meaningful financial commentary for senior leadership, together with accurate financial insight to support operational and commercial decision-making
• Maintaining and strengthening financial controls, policies and governance across the business
• Managing month-end and year-end close processes
• Working closely with leading external accountants, advisors and auditors to coordinate compliance and submission of year-end financial statements, tax returns, statutory/regulatory reporting requirements in the UK and across multiple territories
• Managing Import and Export accounting processes and associated compliance requirements
• Leading annual budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities
• Supporting the financial requirements of new market launches and international expansion initiatives
• Managing multi-currency cash positions, international banking relationships and treasury activities, including monitoring foreign exchange exposure, supporting FX risk management, cross-border transactions and international payment processes
• Driving best practice across the finance function, developing and improving end-to-end processes, systems, integration, reporting and automation, using technology and AI
• Mentoring and developing part-qualified finance professionals
• Supporting recruitment and succession planning as the finance function grows.
• Fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and professional development.

As Management Accountant you'll need:

• Strong, hands-on, progressive and commercially-focused Management Accountant, Finance Manager or Financial Controller experience, ideally gained in a fast-moving, growing, international, service-driven business
• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification
• Keen tech orientation with advanced Excel skills, experience using ERP/accounting systems (Sage Intacct and FP&A advantageous), ideally implementing automation, AI or process improvement initiatives
• First class communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with non-finance stakeholders
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a passion for continuous improvement

Rewards and benefits:

• Basic salary up to c.£60k + generous pension + healthcare + benefits
• Maximum pay/rewards, dependent on possessing all outlined experience, skills, knowledge and qualifications
• Genuine Financial Controller and Finance Director progression potential, working with world-leading brands - play a key role shaping/influencing business performance with a real North Eastern success story
• Hybrid working following probation
• Modern HQ with excellent transport links and on-site parking.

Please note: we review applications on receipt and aim to respond to shortlisted candidates within 5 working days.

Management Accountant, Newcastle