Management Accountant

Red Funnel Limited; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Funnel Limited is seeking a qualified Management Accountant to join our Finance team and take ownership of the monthly management accounts process. You will also lead the Accounts Payable team and an Assistant Management Accountant, partnering with operational leaders to drive financial insight.

Reporting to the Head of Financial Control, you will ensure robust financial controls, accurate reporting, and support budgeting and forecasting with the FP&A team.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent experience.
• Experience producing monthly management accounts in a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of accruals, prepayments, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Experience managing and developing finance team members.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence with financial systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines within a month-end environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage the month-end close process, including journals, accruals, prepayments and reconciliations.
• Review accounting entries prepared by the wider finance team.
• Ensure balance sheet integrity through timely reconciliations.
• Provide variance analysis and commentary to support performance.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities with the FP&A team.
• Oversee payroll accounting, reconciliations and related controls.
• Lead the production of monthly management accounts and reporting packs.
• Build relationships with managers and budget holders across the business.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and control.
• Coach and develop a small finance team.

Skills

Month-end close

Leadership

Business partnering

Excel

Financial reporting

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Job description

Be Part of Something Wonderfully Different

At Red Funnel, we're proud to be Wonderfully Different and deliver a lifeline service for the Isle of Wight. Behind every sailing is a network of talented people working together to make a difference, and this is an exciting time to join us! We have big plans for the future and are looking for a Management Accountant to join us on that journey. If you enjoy combining technical accounting expertise with business partnering and leadership, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.

The Role

We are looking for a qualified and experienced Management Accountant to join our Finance team. This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of the monthly management accounts process while leading and developing the Accounts Payable team and an Assistant Management Accountant.

Reporting to the Head of Financial Control, you'll play a key role in ensuring accurate financial reporting, maintaining robust financial controls, and providing insight that supports effective decision-making across the business. You'll work closely with operational leaders, budget holders and our FP&A team to understand performance, challenge assumptions and ensure financial information reflects business activity.

This is an ideal opportunity for a technically strong accountant who enjoys combining hands‑on accounting expertise with leadership and business partnering responsibilities.

What You'll Be Doing

• Managing the month-end close process, including journals, accruals, prepayments and reconciliations.
• Reviewing and approving accounting entries prepared by the wider finance team.
• Ensuring balance sheet integrity through timely and accurate reconciliations.
• Providing insightful variance analysis and commentary to support business performance.
• Supporting budgeting and forecasting activities in partnership with the FP&A team.
• Overseeing payroll accounting, reconciliations and related controls.
• Leading the production of monthly management accounts and reporting packs.
• Building effective relationships with managers and budget holders across the business.
• Identifying and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and control.
• Coaching and developing a small finance team to deliver high-quality financial services.

What We're Looking For

You'll be an organised and commercially minded finance professional with strong technical accounting skills and the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

Essential requirements:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or qualified by significant experience.
• Experience producing monthly management accounts within a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of accruals, prepayments, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Experience managing and developing finance team members.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines within a month-end environment.

Why Join Red Funnel?

At Red Funnel, you'll be joining a business with a unique purpose, a proud history and exciting plans for the future. We are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment where colleagues can thrive, develop and make a real difference.

In return, you'll enjoy:

• Free foot passenger travel to and from the Isle of Wight, plus a generous vehicle travel allowance (as well as 50% discounts to share with friends and family!)
• 5 weeks' annual leave and loads of IOW attraction discounts
• Scottish Widows pension scheme
• Recognition Awards and Long Service Awards
• Private medical insurance and Death in Service insurance
• 75% discount schemes on South Western Railway services and the full National Rail network

Further details about our full benefits package can be found here.