Trust Management Accountant

The Sigma Trust

Tendring

On-site

GBP 50,000 - 70,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Cash Plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Perkbox discounts

Job summary

The Sigma Trust is seeking a professionally qualified Management Accountant to deliver accurate management accounts, consolidate central reporting, manage cashflow and VAT, and support statutory returns across its 12 academies. The role is based at the Tendring Education Centre with potential travel to Trust schools.

You will closely support the Director of Finance to maintain strong internal controls, oversee treasury and capital funding, and ensure timely financial reporting and compliance

Qualifications

Fully qualified accountant accreditation (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or CIPFA).
Proven experience in processing and consolidating monthly management accounts for multi-layered organisations.
Advanced proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, complex formulae, data manipulation) and modern financial accounting software.
Strong technical accounting knowledge of balance sheets, trial balances, and internal control frameworks.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing statutory deadlines under minimal supervision.
An approachable and flexible mindset.

Responsibilities

Central & Consolidated Accounts: Process the central management accounts and consolidated monthly statements for the board.
Cashflow Management: Forecasts and monitor liquidity across the Trust portfolio.
Reconciliations: Oversee bank reconciliations for central and trust-wide accounts.
Statutory Returns: Manage timely delivery of BFR and TPS/Academy Accounts Returns.
Regulatory Compliance & Audit: Support with policies, audits, and pension assurance; oversee TPS audit preparations.

Skills

Excel

Internal controls

Balance sheets

Organizational skills

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA/CIPFA Chartered Accountant

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

Join a Community Where Everyone Feels They Belong at The Sigma Trust

Are you a passionate finance professional who holds high expectations and aims for excellence? Are you looking for a role where your technical skills support a welcoming, inclusive Trust culture?

As our Trust Management Accountant, you will play a central role in delivering accurate, high-quality strategic and operational financial services to the executive team and senior colleagues across the Trust.

Working closely with the Director of Finance, you will ensure the Trust maintains robust internal controls, accurate accounting records, and consistent compliance with regulatory frameworks.

You will take direct responsibility for processing and consolidating management accounts, managing central cashflow, overseeing bank reconciliations and VAT administration, leading on pension audits, and preparing accurate financial returns for the DfE and other government bodies.

At The Sigma Trust, we are a forward-thinking family of 12 academies across North East Essex, serving over 11,500 pupils. Our founding philosophy - that we are "Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts" - is the principle that guides every decision we make. We believe that we are stronger and more successful working together, ensuring that no child is left behind.

This is a full-time position, offering a 37-hour working week across the full calendar year (52 weeks).
The successful candidate will be based at the Trust’s head office at Tendring Education Centre in Clacton-on-Sea, but may require travel to any of our Trust schools.

A Day in the Life:

You'll be responsible for bringing your passion and expertise to the following areas:

Financial Reporting & Management Accounting

Central & Consolidated Accounts: Process the monthly central management accounts alongside the preparation and timely delivery of consolidated management accounts for executive stakeholders and the Trust Board.

Cashflow Management: Produce, monitor, and analyse regular cashflow forecasts across the Trust's portfolio to ensure optimised liquidity.
Reconciliations: Maintain and oversee robust bank reconciliation processes for central and Trust-wide accounts.
Statutory Returns: Oversight of all financial returns and statutory accounts, ensuring they are accurate and submitted on time to the relevant accountable body. Including Budget Forecast Return (BFR) and the AAR (Academy Accounts Return).

Strategic Strategy & Compliance

Regulatory Compliance: Support with the development and implementation of financial policies ensuring the values of regularity, propriety, and charity law are in line with the Academy Trust Handbook and Charity Commission.
Audit & Pension Assurance: Support Executive Officers to ensure readiness and planning processes are in place for successful Trust-wide internal and external audits, support with the implementation of any recommendations or management letter points ensuring these are addressed promptly and effectively. Oversee the preparation and coordination of the annual Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) audit.
Taxation & VAT: Manage complex tax compliance, specifically taking ownership of the Trust's VAT partial exemption calculations and returns.

Capital, Assets & Treasury Management

Fixed Asset Register: Maintain and update the centralised Fixed Asset Register in strict alignment with the Trust's fixed asset policy.

Capital Funding: Closely monitor income and expenditure relating to the Trust’s Schools’ Capital Funding and earmarked funding streams.

Treasury & Investment: Identify surplus funds and manage investments to maximise income in line with the Trust’s Investment Policy and Reserves Policy.

Procurement Compliance: Support effective purchasing, negotiation, and procurement practices ensuring strict compliance with public procurement thresholds and internal financial regulations.

What We're Looking For:

Fully qualified accountant accreditation (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or CIPFA).
Proven experience in processing and consolidating monthly management accounts for multi-layered organisations.
Advanced proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, complex formulae, data manipulation) and modern financial accounting software.
Strong technical accounting knowledge of balance sheets, trial balances, and internal control frameworks.
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing statutory deadlines under minimal supervision.
An approachable and flexible mindset.

Please note that an integration period applies to all new staff joining the Trust, to support introduction into the organisation.

Why Choose The Sigma Trust?

We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.

Professional Development:

A robust CPD training program that empowers you to flourish.
Unrivalled opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the Trust, sharing ideas and building strong professional relationships.

Employee Benefits:

A competitive salary and excellent pension scheme
A Health Cash Plan to help manage your everyday healthcare costs
Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Programme to support your well-being
Exclusive perks like the Cycle to Work scheme, access to discounts via free membership to Perkbox, eligibility for a Blue Light Card, and more

Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision ‘To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts’, where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.