Trust Accountant

Government jobs, apprenticeship; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 42,462 - 51,899; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities

Initial Teacher Training (ITT) program

Employee Assistance Programme for well

Cycle-to-work scheme

Defined benefit pension

Healthcare benefits

Free on-site parking

Discounts on essentials and holidays

Job summary

Meridian Trust is seeking a Trust Accountant to join our finance team across Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. You will ensure compliance with financial regulations, complete month-end reporting, and develop common financial systems across the Trust.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will provide financial information to the executive board and academy leaders, line-manage a finance team, and travel between schools as required to support budgets and planning.

Qualifications

• Must hold a recognised professional accountancy qualification.
• Experience with financial management processes and payroll is desirable.
• Strong data management skills and high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with internal and external financial regulations and complete month-end reports.
• Develop common financial systems across the Trust and provide information to the executive board and academy leaders.
• Travel between schools in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire to support budgets and planning.

Education

Professional accountancy qualification (ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA or equivalent)

Job description

Job Details

• Role: Trust Accountant (Administration, HR, data and finance)
• Contract: Permanent, Full time
• Location: Support schools across Cambridgeshire & Bedfordshire (may be based elsewhere)

Salary and Hours

• Annual salary: £47,181 (Grade 12, Points 36‑40)
• Hours: 37 per week, 52 weeks per year

Responsibilities

You will play an important role in ensuring the finance team complies with internal and external financial regulations, completing month‑end reports, and developing common financial systems across the Trust. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the postholder will provide financial information to the executive board, academy leaders, and other key business leaders to ensure best value in meeting the Trust’s objectives.

Our Trust Accountants are based largely in the schools they serve; you will be allocated to schools in Bedfordshire and the south of Cambridgeshire.

Travel between these schools and other Trust sites is required.

The Opportunity

• Join a growing Trust with a breadth of opportunities
• Line‑manage a finance team through training and development
• Work closely with leadership to support budget tracking and planning
• Key role in month‑end checks for all school accounts

Ideal Candidate

• Professional accountancy qualification (ACA, CIMA, CIPFA, ACCA or equivalent)
• Knowledge of financial management processes and systems
• Experience with budgetary and forecasting management
• Proficient in data management
• Knowledge of payroll
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Prepared to travel across a small group of schools

About Meridian Trust

Meridian Trust is a values‑led organisation, founded in 2011, regarded as one of the highest‑performing academy trusts. It operates primary, secondary and special schools across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Benefits

• Apprenticeship and CPD opportunities
• Initial Teacher Training (ITT) program to kick‑start teaching careers
• Employee Assistance Programme for mental health and wellbeing
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Defined benefit local government or Teacher’s pension scheme
• Healthcare benefits including free eye test vouchers and flu vaccinations
• Free on‑site parking
• Discounts on everyday essentials and holidays

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

The Trust is committed to diversity and inclusion and equality of opportunity for all staff. Applications from individuals regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnerships are encouraged.

Safeguarding

The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments will be subject to pre‑employment checks, including an enhanced check with the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) and online searches.

Eligibility and Requirements

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK. Visas cannot be sponsored.