Management Accountant

Thrive Childcare; Salford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Thrive Childcare in Salford is seeking a Management Accountant to join the Finance Team. You will deliver accurate monthly management accounts, board reports, and insightful analysis to support decision-making.

The role requires ownership of tasks, independent working and proactive improvements across finance functions. Responsibilities include preparation of VAT returns, balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, cash flow forecasting, and supporting year-end processes.

Qualifications

• Experience in producing management accounts and reports.
• Experience with VAT returns and month-end close.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of the production of the first draft of management accounts.
• Production of Board report Schedules.
• Preparation and submission of the VAT Returns.
• Oversee and manage the processing of overhead invoices through the Kefron AP system.
• Support the Audit process and Year end preparations.
• Preparation of accruals and prepayments.
• Prepare and maintain monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare analysis of actual spend vs. budget.
• Prepare weekly and monthly cash flow forecasts.
• Complete ONS surveys and other statutory or management information requirements.
• Ad hoc finance projects and improvements across the finance function.
• Work with operations teams to improve financial understanding of issues.
• Support budget and forecasting processes.

Skills

Excellent numeracy

Excel proficiency

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Process improvements

Organisational skills

Resilience

Ability to work under pressure

Education

CIMA or ACCA part-qualified

Experience in multi-site environment

Financial modelling

Tools

SAGE

Job description

The Management Accountant will play a key role within the Finance Team, providing accurate, timely and insightful financial information to support effective business decision-making.

The role will have responsibility for key areas of the month-end and management accounts process, including the preparation, reconciliation and analysis of financial information. The Management Accountant will work closely with the Financial Controller and wider business to identify trends, investigate variances and ensure financial information is accurate and meaningful.

The successful candidate will be expected to take ownership of tasks and projects, working independently and using their initiative to identify issues, develop solutions and drive improvements across the finance function.

The role will also involve working closely with operational and central support teams to improve financial understanding, provide guidance and support informed decision-making.

Key Areas of Accountability & Responsibilities

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Ownership of the production of the first draft of management accounts
• Production of Board report Schedules
• Preparation and submission of the VAT Returns
• Oversee and manage the processing of overhead invoices through the Kefron AP system, ensuring invoices are accurately coded and processed within agreed timescales.
• Support the Audit process and Year end preparations
• Preparation of accruals and prepayments.
• Prepare and maintain accurate monthly balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies promptly.
• Preparation of analysis of actual spend vs. budget.
• Preparation of weekly and monthly information for inclusion in cash flow forecasts.
• Complete ONS surveys and other statutory or management information requirements.
• Take ownership of ad hoc finance projects and deliver them within agreed timescales.
• Work with operations teams to improve financial understanding of operational issues.
• Support budget and forecasting processes, providing analysis and insight where required.
• Support the Financial Controller by taking responsibility for specific tasks or projects that have been delegated, providing regular updates on progress.
• Ad hoc reporting and projects.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Accurate and timely production of monthly management accounts and supporting information.
• Completion of designated month-end tasks within agreed deadlines.
• Fully reconciled and well-supported balance sheet accounts on a monthly basis.
• Accurate and timely preparation of journals, accruals and prepayments.
• Effective investigation and resolution of financial variances and discrepancies.
• Creditors reconciled regularly, with aged and debit balances appropriately investigated and resolved.
• Accurate and timely cash flow information.
• Delivery of agreed finance projects within timescales.
• Identification and implementation of process improvements.
• Positive and effective working relationships with finance and operational stakeholders.
• Demonstrable ability to work independently and take ownership of delegated responsibilities.

Recommended Education/Experience/Skills

• Experience working within a multi-site or group environment.
• Experience of using SAGE software
• Excellent Numeracy and Excel skills
• Experience of budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience of financial modelling and variance analysis.
• Experience of identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Good organisational skills – thorough and disciplined
• Resilient, tenacious with high integrity
• Ability to work under pressure

The ideal candidate will be:

• CIMA or ACCA part qualified and keen to develop their technical accounting knowledge and progress their qualification
• An excellent communicator
• A team player
• Trustworthy & confidential
• Commercially aware
• Have technical and logical thought processes
• Have problem-solving skills
• Able to meet tight deadlines and maintain a high standard of work.
• An ability to prioritise and where appropriate to delegate
• A keen eye for detail
• Positive and willing to contribute to continuous improvement within the finance function