Junior Management Accountant

Junior Management Accountant

Location: London

Contract: Full-time, Temp to Permanent

Salary: £42,000

Asap start date!

Veritas Education is working in partnership with a forward-thinking Multi-Academy Trust to recruit an experienced Junior Management Accountant. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who is passionate about education and keen to play a key role in ensuring long-term financial sustainability and value for money across the Trust.

The Role

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Management Accountant will provide high-quality financial support to Headteachers, Trustees and senior leaders. You will take ownership of budgeting, forecasting and management reporting, while supporting strategic financial decision-making across multiple schools.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the annual and three-year budget-setting process across all schools in the Trust
• Produce monthly forecasting and variance analysis, investigating and explaining key variances
• Prepare termly management reports for Trustees and Governor meetings
• Lead on benchmarking, financial metrics and investment appraisals
• Monitor income and expenditure consistency and provide guidance to finance teams
• Salary, payroll and pension reconciliations
• Fixed asset accounting, capital grant monitoring and asset register management
• Support statutory accounts preparation and ESFA returns (BFR, BFRO, AAR)
• Deputise for the Director of Finance when required
• Line manage and develop finance staff, delivering a high-quality finance service

Person Specification

Essential:

• GCSE Mathematics and English (Grade C/4 or above)
• Part-qualified CCAB accountant or fully qualified AAT
• Minimum of 5 years' accounting experience, including: Budget setting and monitoring, Management accounts production, Financial statements and reconciliations
• Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, logical and mathematical formulas)
• Excellent analytical skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to influence and challenge senior leaders
• Proven experience working to deadlines under pressure

Desirable:

• CCAB fully qualified accountant
• Experience within education or the charity sector
• Knowledge of academy financial frameworks and ESFA requirements
• Knowledge of VAT, PAYE, pensions and company/charity legislation
• Experience leading and managing staff and implementing change

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to work within a values-driven education environment
• Strategic role with real influence on organisational sustainability
• Supportive senior leadership and collaborative finance team
• Career development and progression opportunities

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR VERITAS EDUCATION

• All applications are subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure, professional reference checks, Overseas Police Clearances (if applicable) in line with our stringent safeguarding policy
• Your CV must cover the last 10 years of employment history where possible and all employment breaks must be explained
• You must have legal right to work in the UK
• You must be willing to attend a registration interview