Management Accountant

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Generous annual leave

People's Pension

Life assurance

Job summary

Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools is growing, and we’re opening a second support hub in Swindon. We’re seeking a detail-focused Management Accountant to join our finance team and help deliver accurate monthly management accounts and cost reporting across our nursery portfolio.

Reporting to the Senior Management Accountant, you’ll analyse financial data, support budgeting and forecasting, and partner with Early Years Managers to drive improvements in profitability and cost control.

Qualifications

• AAT Level 3 qualified or equivalent; AAT Level 4/ACCA/CIMA studies planned or underway.
• At least 2 years in accounting/management accounting, multi-site experience a bonus.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with large datasets.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts for nursery sites.
• Produce site P&L reports and cost centre reporting.
• Analyse financial performance against budgets and prior periods.
• Investigate and explain cost and revenue variances.
• Monitor staffing costs, payroll data and FTE reporting.
• Reconcile costs and ensure accurate cost centre allocation.
• Support month-end process and management reporting cycle.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting.
• Respond to financial queries from Early Years Managers.
• Support new site integrations and finance improvement projects.
• Maintain reconciliations and audit trails.

Skills

Strong accounting knowledge

Commercial awareness

Attention to detail

Excellent communication skills

Collaborative approach

Education

AAT Level 3 qualified or equivalent

AAT Level 4 / ACCA / CIMA studies planned

Tools

Excel

Financial systems

Job description

Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.

We're looking for a detail-focused Management Accountant to join our growing finance team.

The Role

Reporting to the Senior Management Accountant, you'll play a key role in producing accurate monthly management accounts and cost reporting across our portfolio of nurseries. This is a hands‑on role where you'll gather, validate and analyse financial data, helping operational leaders understand performance and make informed decisions.

You'll work closely with Early Years Managers, Finance Officers and the wider finance team, building strong relationships and developing your management accounting and cost accounting skills in a supportive environment.

This role is ideal for an accountant looking to take the next step in their career and gain exposure to multi‑site financial reporting within a growing organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Prepare monthly management accounts for nursery sites
• Produce site profit and loss reports and cost centre reporting
• Analyse financial performance against budgets and previous periods
• Investigate and explain cost and revenue variances
• Monitor and analyse staffing costs, payroll data and FTE reporting
• Reconcile costs and ensure accurate cost centre allocation
• Support the month‑end process and management reporting cycle
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting activities
• Respond to financial queries from Early Years Managers
• Support new site integrations and finance improvement projects
• Maintain accurate records, reconciliations and audit trails
• Supporting the integration of newly acquired nursery settings into our reporting processes.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines strong accounting knowledge with commercial awareness and a desire to improve the way we work.

You’ll:

• Be AAT Level 3 qualified (or equivalent), with AAT Level 4, ACCA or CIMA studies planned/underway/willing to complete.
• At least 2 years' experience in an accounting, finance or management accounting role – in a multi‑site business would be an advantage!
• Strong Excel skills, including formulas and pivot tables
• Experience preparing financial reports, reconciliations and variance analysis that might also include payroll or staffing cost analysis
• Confident working with financial systems and large datasets
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial information clearly
• A proactive, collaborative approach and desire to learn

What We Offer

We're proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive.

Flexible Working

Once our new hub is established (typically after around six months), you'll be able to work in a hybrid way, with around three days in the office and two days from home.

Learning and Development

• Support with accounting CPD requirements.
• Opportunities to grow your career.

Health and Wellbeing

• Mental health and wellbeing support.
• Generous annual leave from day one.
• People's Pension.
• Life assurance.

Closing Date: 31st August

Interview Dates:

First Stage: 1st September to 4th September

Second Stage: 7th September to 11th September

Inclusion and Safeguarding

Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children. All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre‑employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.