Accountant jobs in Manchester

What if your ability to transform tax processes could unlock thousands of pounds in savings while building best-in-class compliance systems for one of the UK's biggest charities?

As a Financial Accountant within our Finance & Assurance directorate, you'll be part of a team that's transforming how we deliver financial partnership across the organisation. We're on an ambitious journey to become the Society's single point of financial truth. We aim to be trusted partners and credible experts who enable the organisation to make faster, better-informed decisions.

This is a highly technical, hands-on role where you'll own and improve our tax function. You'll be responsible for the essential technical delivery, preparing VAT returns, managing partial exemption calculations, overseeing Corporation Tax and Gift Aid. Ensuring we meet every regulatory requirement. But what sets this role apart is the opportunity to transform how we deliver this work. You'll drive continuous improvement across all tax processes, identifying inefficiencies, implementing automation, redesigning workflows, and developing robust controls that optimise our position while maintaining compliance. This is your opportunity to leave your mark on a critical area of the finance function.

Your process improvement mindset and ability to explain complex matters clearly, will help colleagues make tax-efficient decisions.

About you:

You're a qualified accountant with strong process improvement experience who thrives on identifying inefficiencies and implementing better ways of working. You're excited by the prospect of shaping an entire area within a finance function.

You're a problem-solver who constantly asks, "how can we do this better?" You have a genuine curiosity about how things work and a drive to continuously improve. Existing knowledge of VAT compliance, particularly partial exemption, would be beneficial, as would broader familiarity with Corporation Tax, Gift Aid, and other statutory obligations. However, what matters most is your appetite to learn and your determination to find better ways forward.

You'll have:

• Proven experience driving process improvements in a finance environment, demonstrating where you've identified inefficiencies, redesigned workflows, or delivered measurable improvements.
• A CCAB qualification achieved through education, or demonstrable equivalent knowledge and experience that evidences your understanding of the role's requirements.
• Some experience with VAT, Corporation Tax, Gift Aid, or other UK tax regulations. You don't need to be a tax specialist, but you should have exposure to tax compliance and a genuine interest in developing deep expertise in this area.
• The ability to quickly build technical knowledge and confidence in complex tax scenarios, with a problem-solving approach to navigating regulations.
• Experience working with HMRC or other regulatory bodies, demonstrating credibility and professionalism in external relationships.
• Demonstrated experience as a Financial Accountant in a large or complex organisation.
• The ability to work effectively across departments and at all levels, translating complex financial or technical matters into practical guidance.
• Experience with cloud-based ERP systems (we use Unit4) and a mindset of continuous improvement.

What you'll focus on:

• Driving continuous improvement across the tax function.
• Developing robust tax processes and controls that optimise our position while ensuring compliance.
• Overseeing VAT compliance – preparing and reviewing accurate VAT returns, managing partial exemption calculations, and optimising our VAT position.
• Overseeing Corporation Tax and Gift Aid compliance as well as other statutory tax obligations.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with HMRC, managing enquiries or audits with professionalism.
• Providing clear tax guidance across the Society, empowering colleagues to make tax-efficient decisions.
• Working seamlessly with colleagues across the Finance team to provide integrated financial partnership, while role-modelling our values.

Can you see yourself as the person who transforms our tax function, not just maintains it? Are you ready to shape an entire area within our finance function and make your mark?

Rolling applications

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis for this role. There is no fixed deadline. We will continue to review applications until the role is filled. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we may close the vacancy once we've made a successful appointment.

About Alzheimer's Society

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding ground-breaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.Please also contact Alzheimer’s Society Talent Acquisition Team for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a DBS check at the relevant level.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it’s like to be an employee at the Society.

Responsible for: Leading on the charity’s management accounting and financial reporting

Hours: Part time, 3 days per week

Reports to:  Business & Finance Manager

Role overview

City of Trees is looking for an experienced charity accountant to strengthen our internal finance function and provide high-quality financial insight to our senior management team and board of trustees.

City of Trees Trust is a fast-growing environmental charity working to plant trees, restore woodland, and create greener, healthier communities. Now in its third year, with a turnover exceeding £4 million, the organisation is entering an exciting new phase of expansion. Our work is funded through a diverse mix of grants, corporate donations, and contracted delivery projects.

This newly created role will lead on the charity’s management accounting and financial reporting; including preparing monthly management accounts, providing restricted fund analysis, budgeting and monitoring, support strategic decision-making, and ensure strong financial control.

About City of Trees

We are City of Trees, the Community Forest for Greater Manchester and registered charity. We plant trees, we look after trees, we promote a culture of trees. We plant trees for people; to create better, greener places; to boost health and wellbeing; to enhance green skills; and to tackle the climate and biodiversity emergency. We’re rooted here in Greater Manchester, the place we live and work. We are proud to call Greater Manchester home and are passionate about making our region even better, one tree at a time.

Benefits

• Flexi-time
• 25 days paid holiday plus 8 bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time employees)
• Training and development opportunities
• Employer match up to 8% contribution pension scheme after 3-months service
• Cycle to work scheme
• Comprehensive health & wellbeing package

Key duties and responsibilities:

Management Accounting & Reporting

• Produce timely, accurate monthly management accounts using QuickBooks.
• Prepare detailed restricted and unrestricted fund analysis.
• Provide variance analysis and commentary to the Management Team and Trustees.
• Prepare and present quarterly finance reports for the Board of Trustees and relevant sub-committees.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Cashflow

• Work with the Senior Management Team and Business & Finance Manager on the annual budgeting cycle across departments.
• Prepare updated forecasts throughout the year.
• Maintain monthly cashflow forecasts and advise on cash requirements.
• Support budget managers in understanding project budgets and financial performance.

Financial Controls & Compliance

• Support the Business & Finance Team with day-to-day financial processing.
• Work with the Business & Finance Team to review and develop financial policies, procedures, and internal controls (existing framework in place).
• Ensure accounting records comply with charity-specific requirements (SORP, fund accounting, restricted funds, VAT).
• Support the preparation of year-end accounts and audit information for the external accountant and auditor.

Operational Finance

• Lead on reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, including grant and project balances.
• Monitor grant expenditure against funding agreements and ensure accurate allocation to restricted funds.
• Liaise with operational teams on project financials and contract delivery.
• Support Business & Finance Team with monthly payroll process.

Year-End & External Reporting

• Prepare year-end working papers and accounts for submission to the external accountant and auditor.
• Assist with queries from auditors and funders.
• Support preparation of financial information for grant applications and reports.

General

• To support the senior management team and build strong relationships with managers and wider members of the team.
• Monitor and implement general statutory requirements e.g. risk assessments, Health & Safety, data protection and GDPR.
• Perform any other duties, as required, in line with expectation within organisational framework.

Person Specification

Essential

• Strong experience working in a charity finance environment, including restricted fund accounting
• Part or fully CIMA, ACA or ACCA qualified
• Using Quickbooks or other financial management software and standard MS Office applications
• Strong management accounting skills with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues
• Experience preparing and presenting budgets, forecasts, and cashflow models
• Understanding of charity compliance, SORP, VAT and grant funding
• Ability to process and analyse information with detail and care
• Preparing audit support schedules and liaising with external accountants and auditors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Professional, proactive and approachable.
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team
• Highly organised
• Commitment to work with integrity and discretion when dealing with confidential information
• Willing to manage a diverse and busy workload
• A positive, proactive, flexible attitude

Desirable

• Developing and implementing finance process improvements

Additional information

How to apply: Should you be interested in this role, please submit a full CV and covering letter detailing your relevant skills and experience.

The closing date for this advertisement is 3rd February 2026 with interviews expected to be held on at our Trafford Park office on 10th February 2026

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applicants from all sections of the community.

Our partner is seeking an experienced fund accounting consultant to deliver a short, fixed-scope diagnostic review following a recent finance system migration. The focus of this contract is to identify and triage discrepancies in fund balances ahead of an upcoming statutory audit.

This is a standalone Phase 1 engagement, with a clear written diagnostic as the primary output. Any follow-on support would be subject to findings and separately agreed.

Responsibilities

• Carry out a focused diagnostic review of fund balances following a finance system migration.
• Analyse discrepancies between legacy system balances, current system balances, and supporting fund schedules.
• Review available historical fund documentation and reporting to assess consistency and data integrity.
• Assess the treatment of opening balances and brought-forward positions at fund level.
• Identify whether issues are primarily data-driven, configuration-related, or reporting logic-related.
• Evaluate audit and governance risks and the proportionality of potential remediation options.
• Recommend a defensible historical cut-off for fund balances.
• Produce a concise written diagnostic note outlining findings, risks, assumptions, and recommended next steps.

Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Strong experience in charity or NGO fund accounting, including restricted and designated funds.
• Practical experience of finance system migrations and post-migration troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of NetSuite, particularly fund or donor dimensions and reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence working with complex or imperfect data.
• Clear written communicator, able to summarise complex issues succinctly.
• Comfortable working independently on a short, fixed-scope contract

Working Arrangements

• Short-term contract of approximately 5 days.
• Expected start January 2026.
• Fully remote, UK-based.
• Fixed scope Phase 1 engagement with a defined written deliverable.
• Right to work in the UK required.