Management Accountant

PURPOSE

State in a couple of sentences the purpose of the role

The Management Accountant is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and insightful financial information to support decision-making across the business. This includes month-end close, management reporting, project accounting, VAT compliance, cash flow, and balance sheet control.

Working closely with the Financial Controller and operational teams, the role ensures the integrity

of financial data, supports forecasting and planning, and drives continuous improvement in

reporting and control processes.

The benefits we will offer you include:

• 27 days holiday increasing with service up to 30 days (option to buy /sell)

• Pension contributions up to 9%

• Healthcare cash plan for you and your children

• Extensive flexible benefit program including Cycle to Work

• Life assurance at 4x basic salary

• Enhanced parental leave and pay

• Paid volunteering leave

• Access to industry leading wellbeing resources and tools

RESPONSIBILITIES

List key responsibilities and tasks that sit within this role

• Deliver month-end close activities, including stock, GRNI, accruals, depreciation, FX revaluations, and period opening/closing in IFS
• Perform and review balance sheet reconciliations to audit standard
• Validate and post journals, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial controls
• Oversee Purchase and Sales ledger activities and month-end ledger closures
• Prepare monthly management accounts and narratives describing P&L performance, cash movements, order intake, overhead variances, and working capital movements
• Produce and distribute management account packs to Senior Leadership teams
• Undertake variance analysis to identify over/under spends against budget or forecast
• Prepare and monitor weekly cash flow reporting and provide narrative on movements
• Support business planning, including IBP (Integrated Business Planning), quarterly forecasts,
• annual budgets, and five-year plans
• Prepare UK VAT returns and annual insurance returns, ensuring accurate journals and approvals
• Reconcile and report intercompany transactions and support the monthly intercompany
• Process monthly payroll journals and reconcile payroll-related control accounts
• Liaise with internal and external auditors, providing information and supporting audit
• Support implementation of new ERP systems and financial process improvements
• Maintain strong financial controls, monitor unapproved timesheets, credit card discrepancies,
• and system accuracy

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

List key areas of experience you expect the candidate to have/be able to demonstrate

• Significant experience in management accounting, ideally within a manufacturing,
• engineering, or project-led environment
• Experience with month-end close, balance sheet reconciliation, and management reporting
• Knowledge of payroll accounting, VAT returns, and financial controls
• Experience with multi-entity and intercompany accounting (desirable)
• Exposure to ERP systems (IFS desirable) and advanced Excel reporting
• Assist Head of Finance and Financial Controller on ad hoc projects

TECHNICAL SKILLS/EDUCATION

List the level of education, credentials, license(s) or certificate(s) required. If applicable, list 'essential' and 'desirable' qualifications

Essential:

• Part-qualified or qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) or equivalent practical experience
• Strong month-end close and balance sheet reconciliation experience
• Payroll accounting and credit card administration knowledge
• VAT return preparation and submission experience
• Strong Excel skills and ERP system experience (IFS desirable)
• High accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail

Desirable:

• Experience in engineering/manufacturing/project-led sectors
• Exposure to multi-entity and intercompany accounting

ADDITIONAL LOCAL NEEDS

Additional role requirements, such as physical requirements, environmental conditions, and travel

• Hybrid role 70% onsite in Cambridge
• Successful candidates will need to complete a BPSS check

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Outline key roles that this position will collaborate closely with

• Operations and Production Teams
• Project Managers
• Purchasing/Procurement Teams
• HR and Payroll Teams
• Internal and External Auditors
• Group Finance and Reporting Teams

Key benefits and progression opportunities

• Opportunity to gain exposure to multi-entity, project-led accounting in a manufacturing environment
• Experience leading month-end, reporting, and financial control processes
• Involvement in ERP implementation and process improvement initiatives
• Exposure to financial decision-making and business planning cycles
• Development pathway towards Senior Management Accountant, Finance Manager, or
• Finance Business Partner roles