Project Accountant

Canford School; Merley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Canford School is seeking an experienced Project Accountant to join the finance team on a 3-month fixed-term contract, ideally full-time though 3-4 days per week may be considered. Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, you will deliver financial analysis and governance reporting across mergers and strategic initiatives.

You will work with senior stakeholders to provide insights, develop new reports, and support due diligence, budgeting and forecasting with strong Excel skills.

Qualifications

• Professional accountancy qualification required – ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
• Previous experience in a Project Accountant or similar finance role.
• Experience supporting mergers, due diligence or strategic projects is highly desirable.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting and reporting skills.
• Experience preparing information for senior management and governance reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with ability to work with non-finance colleagues.
• Attention to detail, analytical ability and commercial awareness.
• Excellent Excel and financial systems skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines.
• Proactive approach with ability to identify issues and provide practical recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Develop new financial reports and support the implementation of a new forecasting system.
• Support merger planning, providing financial analysis, modelling and reporting to inform decision-making.
• Support financial due diligence, including reviewing financial information, identifying risks and opportunities, and preparing analysis for senior stakeholders.
• Assess applications for financial assistance and make recommendations for support.
• Develop strong relationships with senior stakeholders, providing constructive financial advice and translating complex financial information into clear recommendations.
• Investigate and resolve financial queries and provide support to budget holders and project leads.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting, controls and processes.
• Support the wider Finance team with accounting and reporting activities as required.

Skills

Excel

Stakeholder management

Attention to detail

Commercial awareness

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA professional qualification

Job description

Project Accountant

Location: Dorset

Salary: £50,000 - £64,000 per year

Vacancy Type: Fixed tern contract, Full or Part Time available

Canford School is a leading co-educational boarding and day school set in 250 acres of beautiful parkland in Dorset, educating around 660 pupils aged 13–18. With an outstanding reputation for academic achievement, exceptional facilities and a vibrant community, this is an exciting time to join the School as it develops its future as part of the new Canford Schools Group.

We are looking for an experienced Project Accountant to join our team on a 3-month fixed-term contract, ideally on a full-time basis, however 3-4 days a week may be considered for the right individual.

Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, the role will provide financial analysis, reporting and commercial support across a range of strategic and business-critical initiatives.

The role will work closely with senior stakeholders and project leads, providing high-quality financial insight to support merger planning, due diligence, strategic initiatives and governance reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop new financial reports and support the implementation of a new forecasting system.
• Support merger planning, providing financial analysis, modelling and reporting to inform decision-making.
• Support financial due diligence, including reviewing financial information, identifying risks and opportunities, and preparing analysis for senior stakeholders.
• Assess applications for financial assistance and make recommendations for support.
• Develop strong relationships with senior stakeholders, providing constructive financial advice and translating complex financial information into clear recommendations.
• Investigate and resolve financial queries and provide support to budget holders and project leads.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting, controls and processes.
• Support the wider Finance team with accounting and reporting activities as required.

About You

• A recognised professional accountancy qualification – ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
• Previous experience in a Project Accountant, Management Accountant, Finance Business Partner or similar role.
• Experience supporting mergers, acquisitions, due diligence or other significant strategic projects would be highly desirable.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting and reporting skills including the setup of management accounts and financial reports.
• Experience preparing information for senior management and governance-level reporting.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work effectively with senior colleagues and non-finance professionals.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical ability and commercial awareness.
• Excellent Excel and financial systems skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines.
• A proactive approach, with the ability to identify issues, assess financial implications and provide practical recommendations.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to play a key role in merger planning, due diligence and strategic initiatives, while providing high-quality financial insight and governance reporting to senior stakeholders.

Closing date: 27th September2026

Interview date: Week commencing 28th September

Canford School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening