Management Accountant

ACCA Careers; Norwich; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Health Plan and EAP

Cycle-to-work scheme

Discounts and salary sacrifice

Free parking

CPD and induction programme

Job summary

Inspiration Trust in Norwich seeks an ambitious management accountant to deliver monthly management accounts for its group of academies. You will prepare budgets, monitor financial performance and ensure regulatory and statutory compliance while supporting school leaders with strategic financial planning.

You will work with the CFO and Principals, providing clear commentary and insights to maximise resources for high-quality education. Training in education finance is provided.

Qualifications

• Experience of producing management accounts
• Experience of budget preparation
• Experience of balance sheet and year-end reconciliations
• AAT status or working towards AAT status
• Excellent IT and excel skills
• Experience in education finance (advantage)
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of timely, accurate management accounts for an allocated group of academies
• Produce salary variance reports referencing DfE guidance
• Support Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning alignment with resources
• Preparation and monitoring of annual and 3-year budgets and Trust-wide budgeting

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Management accounts

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Degree or equivalent level of education

AAT qualification (in progress)

ACA/ACCA qualified (full/part)

Tools

Excel

Job description

Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale J - K: £41,177 to £48,738 per annum

Permanent

Full Time: 37 hours per week from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm

Working Weeks: All Year Round

Start Date: January 2027

Put your finance skills to work where they can make a difference to children’s education. This is an opportunity for an ambitious management accountant to gain valuable experience in the public education sector, joining our dynamic, high-achieving finance team. If you are organised, motivated and ready to help schools make the most of their resources, we would love to hear from you.

Your work will help school leaders understand their finances and plan confidently. You will deliver accurate monthly management accounts for our schools, prepare and monitor budgets, and help ensure that financial management meets regulatory and statutory requirements and follows best practice.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Take ownership of timely, accurate management accounts for an allocated group of academies, bringing together accruals, prepayments, monthly forecasting, variance analysis and clear commentary to explain the financial position.
• Help school leaders make informed strategic decisions about staffing levels by producing salary variance reports, with reference to the Department for Education’s Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning guidance.
• Build strong working relationships with school Principals and the Chief Financial Officer as you support the ongoing review and maintenance of Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning, helping schools align their curriculum plans with available resources.
• Preparation and monitoring of annual and 3-year budgets and support of Trust wide budgeting process, including meetings with key stakeholders.

About You:

The ideal candidate will enjoy turning financial detail into clear, practical information that helps others make decisions. With excellent presentation and organisation skills, you will build strong, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and connect finance with operational management. Your analytical, detail-oriented approach and strategic thinking will help schools use their resources to support the highest standard of education for our pupils.

You do not need an education-sector background to apply: we will provide full training in education finance. You will have experience of working in a finance environment and be AAT qualified or working towards the qualification; full AAT qualification is preferred. Education-sector experience is a strong advantage, but we equally welcome applicants who can demonstrate transferable skills from other sectors.

• Experience of producing management accounts
• Experience of budget preparation
• Experience of balance sheet and year-end reconciliations
• AAT status or working towards AAT status
• Excellent IT and excel skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be that written or oral
• Motivational and striving attitude
• Accurate and diligent work
• Works well in a fast-paced and high-volume role
• Passion for learning and development
• A passion for Finance and supporting the provision of excellent education
• Fully or part ACA/ACCA qualified
• Degree or equivalent level of education
• Experience of working within the education sector

Why Join Inspiration Trust

Develop your finance career while supporting schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. At Inspiration Trust, we believe education can transform lives, and your expertise will help schools make the most of their resources. You will join a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values collaboration and innovation, with opportunities for growth and a varied professional development programme. As part of a network of teachers, leaders and support staff, you will contribute your financial expertise to a shared educational purpose.

We offer:

• Generous annual leave, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions
• Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *
• Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
• Free parking at most sites
• Personalised CPD and development programmes
• A structured and specific induction programme.