Management Accountant Jobs
The Task Ahead: Finance Manager
As The Difference moves from its early start-up phase into the delivery of our 2025-30 strategy, our programmes and sector-influencing work are expanding to reach more schools and to deepen our impact. Alongside this growth, our team - and the operational function which supports them - is also growing.
As Finance Manager, you will be a key member of the Finance & Operations team. You will hold end-to-end responsibility for the finance function, from reconciliations to budgeting. You will decide where and how our existing processes could be improved, as well as developing new systems that will underpin our work as a larger and more established charity. You will be supported by the Director of People, Finance & Operations, as well as our external auditors.
The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!
Areas of Responsibility
The Difference is looking for a Finance Manager to lead our finance function in the following ways:
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Oversee our internal bookkeeping, payment, and accounting processes, and improve these systems ongoingly.
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Lead on budgeting and forecasting across the organisation, supporting teams to predict income and expenditure and make sound financial decisions.
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Lead on the production of management accounting information, including internal monthly management accounts, quarterly reports for Trustees, and financial reports for investors.
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Lead on The Difference’s audit process, with external auditors.
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Work with the Development & Impact Manager to update fundraising pipelines, and ensure the availability of high quality income projections for Trustees.
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Support accurate budgeting and reporting for grant funding, including tracking spend of restricted funds.
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Support business planning by working with teams to model potential future work - e.g. costs of expansion of an existing programme; modelling potential new programmes.
Person Specification
Essential – We are looking for the following skills, aptitude and experience; though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
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Values – Your experience evidences shared values with The Difference (see below) and a personal commitment to our mission to improve life outcomes for vulnerable people.
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Finance experience, operational and strategic – Experience across all areas of finance, from accurate invoicing, payments and record-keeping, through to setting and managing budgets, financial modelling and forecasting, and working with external accountants or auditors.
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Finance process development – Experience of developing finance systems; the ability to recognise how processes could be continuously improved, and enact this improvement.
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Leadership of self and others – Confident in identifying skills or information gaps within your team, and drawing on the expertise of others to address these gaps. Able to show how you've continually grown your own skills and those of your team members so that together you can efficiently cover workload and plan ahead.
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Proactive problem-solving – Ability to thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment and to problem-solve: from rolling sleeves up and diving into detail to working collaboratively to build capacity.
Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following additional experiences:
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Accounting qualification and experience - Some form of accounting qualification and post-qualification experience.
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Early-stage charity/social enterprise experience – You may have specific experience growing charities or businesses for social good at the early or start-up phase.
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Experience of charity finances – You may have worked for or supported other charities, and have experience of working with philanthropic grants, charity accounting, and governance.
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Insight into schools – You may have experience working in the education sector, whether that’s through working for a business or charities that partnered with schools, or through working in a school yourself.
Why Work for The Difference?
Schooling isn’t working for the children who need it most. Every week in England 109 children – equivalent to three full classrooms – are permanently excluded. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Since the pandemic, school suspensions have risen significantly, as has persistent absenteeism. 1 in 5 children are missing more than 10% of their time in school. Children who are excluded or persistently absent are much more likely to already be experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage. They are more likely to live in poverty, have additional learning needs, suffer mental health challenges, or experience a lack of safety outside school. Certain ethnicities are also disproportionately affected, notably Gypsy Roma Traveller and black Caribbean children.
Exclusion and high rates of absence can have a dramatic effect on life chances. These young people are more likely to drop out of education or employment, become vulnerable to long-term mental ill health, or be at risk of criminal exploitation. The Difference believes that children and young people deserve better and that the education system has to change.
Our Organisation
The Difference is a young education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. By 2030, we want rates of exclusion and absence to be falling nationally and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, including those who may be vulnerable. The Difference was born out of a year of research into school exclusions with think-tank IPPR. This research identified a lack of inclusion expertise in schools and proposed a new leadership development programme to fill this gap. In 2018, Difference founder Kiran hired the team who took this idea from concept to reality, beginning work with our first schools.
The Difference is now a 22-strong team delivering multiple school leadership programmes, alongside a growing research and policy arm. The team is supported by our Youth Advisory Board, made up of young people who have experienced exclusion and who provide their expertise and insights on how school inclusion work should be done. This work is needed more than ever. Effects of COVID-19, coupled with the spiralling cost of living, have substantially increased levels of vulnerability. Schools serving excluded pupils face under-funding. The Difference has had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and grow our capacity to lower exclusions across England.
Our Values
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High Expectations - We are ambitious for excellence from young people, colleagues and ourselves. We don’t believe in writing off someone’s potential because of their identity or experience of crisis.
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Strong Relationships - We prioritise genuine relationships over transactional interactions, and know that this requires deliberate relational practice. We see colleagues and partners as people first and their roles second; and know this greater trust allows us to take more risks, gain more feedback and have greater impact.
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Internalised Locus of Control - We work hard to reframe difficult situations to discover what we have within our power in terms of solutions. We take it upon ourselves to walk towards challenges and can take a high level of ownership and agency in our work/
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Pragmatism - We believe leadership means recognising current limitations and striving for improvements within and beyond them. We develop consensus and chart new ways forward, challenging false and extreme positions like “zero exclusions” or “no excuses”.
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Scientific approach - We take a diagnostic approach to unpicking causes of problems. We are loud and proud of our failures, recognising failing fast and often is key to finding the best solutions. We test solutions and are willing to use data and feedback to make adjustments and choose new directions.
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Not Squeamish about Structural Inequality - We believe patterns of inequality can and should be disrupted. We strive to be clear-eyed about these inequalities, and both the individual practice and system-changes required to address them. We push ourselves to overcome awkwardness in talking about this; and begin by acknowledging our own biases and blind spots.
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Asset-based - We work hard to avoid deficit thinking and aim to start with what’s strong, not what’s wrong. We are careful not to frame our colleagues and stakeholders - particularly young people and families – as victims but instead to recognise their agency.
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Wise selves - To both enjoy work and do their best, we want to make decisions and work with others in our “wise” - or regulated - selves. We also want to bring our compassionate self to those we work with, externally and internally, to support one another through challenging times.
How To Apply
To apply, please complete all sections of the application form by midnight on Sunday 19th May.
First round interviews will be held during the week beginning 27th May, over video call. Please indicate if you would not be available to attend an interview during this week.
If successful in this stage, second round interviews (including a task to be completed the same day) will take place on the week beginning 3rd June, at our office in Bethnal Green.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector such as people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the care system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.
As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and any protected characteristics redacted.
Recommended Reading
If you’d like to understand more about The Difference and what we are trying to achieve, we would recommend the following:
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The research which underpins our organisation.
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Our latest Impact Report, sharing our work in 2023
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Ivy Rock Partners are pleased to be working with an outstanding Multi Academy Trust to recruit a Financial Accountant to join their team, reporting to the Financial Controller on a 12 month fixed term contract.
They are looking for someone to work with the Audit Lead and the Financial Controller support the delivery of the Audit and ensure financial statements are prepared for both internal and external consumption.
This is a hybrid role working 3 days in their office based in East Croydon.
This role would be perfect for someone who is passionate about developing their skills in an excellent organisation.
Main responsibilities:
- Prepare balance sheet control accounts.
- Consolidate all grant income remittances for Government income.
- Prepare monthly income and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Ensure bank reconciliations are completed.
- Provide support on reconciling Fixed assets registers for all schools and head office.
- Create audit packs for auditors and work on queries from the auditors
You will:
- Be fully qualified
- Be experienced in production of month end accounts.
- Have strong reconciliation and data analysis skills.
- Experienced in preparing month end journals, including departmental recharges
- Have strong excel skills and experience of using a variety of software packages to generate reports
- Have excellent analytical and communication skills.
- Have a professional "cando" attitude and work ethic
- Have excellent time management skills
Experience of the education sector is desirable but not essential.
For more information on this role please contact Megan Hunter
The founder and sponsor of the Harris Federation, Lord Harris of Peckham, opened our first school in 1990. We have, over the past thirty years, implemented ideas and initiatives that have transformed the opportunities of pupils from working class and disadvantaged backgrounds. Harris academies are widely recognised as a force for social mobility. We are immensely proud of the role that our alumni are now beginning to play in the world and of what we believe our current generation of pupils will go on to achieve.
We now have over 50 schools educating more than 40,000 young people across London and Essex, and employ over 5,000 staff across our academies and head office. With the majority of our academies located in areas of high socioeconomic disadvantage, a high-quality education is key to the futures of the pupils we serve.
As a provider of employment and education, we value the diversity of our staff and students, and all our staff are equally valued and respected. We are committed to providing a fair, equitable and mutually supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff.
Our work will impact many generations to come, and our staff come from all backgrounds and walks of life, coming together to inspire young minds. We promote an inclusive culture that embraces the valuable and enriching contribution that all of our community make. We continue to be proactive in uplifting and supporting all voices at Harris.
To discover more about our culture, ethos and what it is like to work here, visit the page.
Main Areas of Responsibility
Your responsibilities will include:
- Ensuring that purchasing administration from point of order through to payment is administered in line with agreed Service Levels
- Ensuring Suppliers are informed and up to date with payments, striving to ensure positive supplier engagement as a baseline to securing favourable terms
- Ensuring creditors control accounts and purchase ledger are operated accurately, efficiently and to agreed timescales
- Ensuring smooth operation of the payment process
- Ensuring that accounting information is correct and can be relied upon
- Ensuring all employee expense processing and auditing is completed on time and in line with internal policies
- Ensuring timely problem and issue management in line with agreed service levels
- Developing and maintaining insightful management reporting on key performance indicators
- Ensuring a high level of data quality is maintained
- Driving efficiencies and effectiveness of the team, processes, data, and systems to enable improvements in the end-to-end P2P workflow
- Developing and leading an efficient and motivated team to delivery of accurate and timely P2P information and results
- Maintaining effective communication with key stakeholders developing strong and positive relationships
What We are Looking For
We would like to hear from you if you have:
- Proven experience in similar Accounts Payable leadership roles
- Experience of processing high volume transactions across complex structures
- Knowledge of accounting and VAT principles
- Experience of running and driving improvements within an Accounts Payable function
- Track record of managing and developing high performing team
- Experience of Oracle Fusion or similar complex financial systems
- Strong ownership and accountability along with a positive can do attitude
- Ability to assess performance from a holistic view, drawing out key areas for improvement and resolution
- Strong data analysis and problem solving skills
- Excellent customer service and communication skills
- Strong time management techniques to plan and organise workload
- Strong people management skills
For a full job description and person specification, please download the Job Pack.
Applying for this Position
If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, or if you have any questions, please contact us via email to arrange a conversation.
Before applying please ensure you download the job pack from our careers website, this will help with completing your application. Please note that we only accept applications submitted online before the closing date.
When applying, you will have the option to import your CV or use a LinkedIn profile which will auto populate the online application.
A reminder to check your junk mail for our email communications and add us to your safe senders list to ensure all future email communication is received.
Ivy Rock Partners are pleased to be working with an outstanding Multi Academy Trust in recruiting an Accounts Payable Manager into their finance team, reporting to the Head of Finance Operations.
They are looking for an Accounts Payable Manager to come join their team, reporting to the Head of Finance Operations.
This role will be responsible for managing and delivering a strong and effective Accounts Payable function as well as driving efficiency improvements and ensuring payments are made consistently on time.
There is line management involved in this role, managing 5 individuals including AP Clerks and Central Finance Officers.
Key responsibilities include:
- Ensure an efficient end to end Payables processes
- Ensuring that the creditors control accounts and purchase ledger are operated accurately, efficiently and to agreed timescales
- Ensure smooth operation of the payment process
- Managing relationships with suppliers
- Managing the cashflow
- Ensure all employee expense processing and auditing is completed on time
Experience and attributes:
- Proven experience in Accounts Payable leadership roles
- Knowledge of accounting and VAT principles is essential
- Experience of running and driving improvements within an Accounts Payable function
- Excellent customer service and communication skills
- Strong data analysis & problem solving skills
- Strong management experience
Benefits:
• Excellent opportunities for continuous professional development and career progression • Annual performance and loyalty bonus
• Pension scheme (Teachers' Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme) with generous employer contribution
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays (for non-term time only staff), rising to 26 days after 2 years’ service, as well as Christmas off.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Real Estate Balance (REB) is a leading campaigning and membership organisation working to improve equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) in the real estate industry. Our members include different types of businesses, both large and small, from across the property sector.
We work at all levels of the industry, offering a range of programmes, campaigns and events that help leaders accelerate progress on diversity, support middle managers to create inclusive workplace cultures, and empower the next generation of leaders to unlock their potential and thrive.
Together with our members, we’re working to create a real estate industry that’s fairer, better-balanced and more equitable for everyone.
Established in 2016, REB now has close to 130 corporate members and is still growing. It is a not-for-profit organisation.
The Executive Management Administration team of 5, headed by the MD, run the organisation on a day-to-day basis. The team is supported by the REB board and committees, together with 3rd party providers for accounting, payroll, banking, media & public relations, website hosting and IT services.
Role and Responsibilities
New Position: Due to the increase in REB memberships and activities, a new full-time events role is being created to support the executive team.
Key Tasks – support the MD in creating and delivering a member engagement and events programme
1. Conception and collaboration of member events, through to completion
2. Promoting events to members, working alongside REB’s external PR/Communications agency
3. Managing event registrations and guest lists
4. Responsible for line managing the events administrator
5. Responsible for REB events planning, logistics, analysis (report & presentation) and follow-up actions
6. Attending meetings with members re event planning and development
7. Reporting quarterly to the board and attending board meetings with the Executive team
Detailed Responsibilities
1. Develop, manage and deliver REB’s event programme (working with MD and ED&I coordinator):
o upload event listings to website;
o prepare invitations;
o liaise with host venues;
o oversee registrations & comms;
o obtain event feedback
2. Monitor and evaluate events including reviewing feedback and attendance
3. Coordinate the CEO Breakfasts series
4. Maintain the Events page on the REB website
5. Maintain a database of venues
6. Identify, approach and secure appropriate speakers and participants for events
KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE
1. Events management and logistics
2. Knowledge (preferably working knowledge) of Microsoft Dynamics and Marketing
3. Knowledge (preferably working knowledge) of current best practices and trends in ED&I, including familiarity with key concepts (e.g. allyship, unconscious bias, intersectionality, etc.)
Preferred Skills
1. Windows 10/Office 365 including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other capabilities
2. CRM and website management systems
3. Filing and organisational skills
4. Minute taking and assigning follow-up actions
5. Collaborative working in a small team environment
6. Working with board members/special advisors and committee members on reports, reviews, approvals and presentations
7. Real Estate industry knowledge
Additional Notes
Preference is for applicant to have own laptop/desktop with printing/scanning facilities.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our new CEO will work with a small staff and a diverse group of regular teachers and other professionals to develop this long-established organisation. We currently provide yoga classes and workshops for 30,000 students each year. Are you keen to be part of this growing community?
You should be able to balance a wide variety of tasks, and bring your expertise to bear in advising and informing the board of trustees. You should also be able to work with sub-committees to guide them in bringing about the strategic objective of the board.
We are fortunate to own superb, purpose-built yoga studios (the first in Europe) and are marking our fortieth year in Maida Vale this year. We have ambitious medium to long-term plans to develop our work and buildings further. You will be an integral part in bringing this about.
You should bring a willingness to take part in all aspects of the organisation from accounting and management reports to scheduling classes and workshops, and facilities care. This will involve working closely with professional and service-based contractors at every level.
We are committed to building on the work and influence of BKS Iyengar, who died in 2014, as a master yoga teacher, practitioner and innovator.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
Finance Business Partner
Salary: £42,000 - £49,000
Permanent, flexible working
Hybrid working, 3 days a week in office
Office based in Sutton
My client is a specialist education provider supporting schools across London and South England. As a Finance Business Partner, you will play a crucial role in supporting budget holders in their financial and strategic decision making. Working with a team of Assistant Finance Business Partners you will be responsible for the month end reporting cycle, periodic forecasting and yearly budget setting. Supporting a Regional Finance Business Partner, you will help translate financial information into insightful commentaries, and provide input into benchmarking, dashboarding and financial modelling as required.
Key areas of responsibilities;
- Lead and manage a team of Assistant Finance Business Partners and Finance Officers, including performance management, development, succession planning, sickness monitoring, etc.
- Lead the preparation of monthly management accounts pack (including income & expenditure, and balance sheet) to regular deadlines; specific duties will include: approve monthly journals, reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, income analysis and inter-company recharges.
- To actively collaboration with the wider finance team to maintain and champion the integrity of financial information, specifically purchase ledger for supplier invoices, commitments, expenses and petty cash; procurement for contracts; and assets accountant for capital expenditure and maintaining fixed assets.
- To support and enable budget holders with budget management, exercising considerable judgement, in particular with Principals, School Business Managers HR and staffing resources, to problem solve where
Who are we looking for?
- A formally qualified, part qualified or qualified by experience accountant with relevant experience of financial accounting gained in a large, complex organisation (this could be commercial, Not-for-Profit or practice)
- Good communication and interpersonal skills both written and oral, able to communicate effectively with finance professionals, senior management and trustees, and non-accountants to achieve cooperation and results
- Ability to manipulate data, analyse information, identify anomalies and extract pertinent information. Excellent attention to detail
My client offers hybrid working with established training and team practices to ensure full support and engagement at all times.
If you are looking to develop your career in not-for-profit finance or change sectors, then this is the position for you.
Interim Finance Business Partner
£42,237 excluding £3,000 London Weighting Allowance
Educational Charity
Hybrid / Remote working - can be located at a number of regional offices throughout the UK.
27 days holiday a year (excluding bank holidays) and an excellent benefit package.
Teach First is creating the results we all want to see: every child reaching their potential. In the classroom, in work, and in life.
For nearly 20 years - and with the generous backing of our supporters - we've been helping schools build a fair education for all. By developing the next generation of great teachers and brilliant leaders. And by growing a powerful network of talented people committed to change.
We now work with schools in every region of England, helping them make a difference where it's needed most.
Teach First is looking for an exceptional, professional and highly motivated Interim Finance Business Partner - covering a 6 months FTC.
The role provides strategic analysis to support and challenge our stakeholders in making the right decisions for our growing organisation. We are a critical friend to the organisation, ensuring that we are maximizing the impact of our income and expenditure for our social mission.
The focus of this role will be budgeting, forecasting and management reporting as well as representing our team in organisation wide projects and driving consistent improvements in processes to add value to Teach First.
You will be a qualified accountant or qualified by experience and familiar in business partnering roles. The ability to convey complex issues with clarity and confidence is also essential as is communication skills with stakeholders through active listening and effective questioning.
To receive a full JD and candidate information pack please contact me
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
MLC Partners are supporting a Central London based organisation within the Higher Education sector, to recruit a Finance Transformation Programme Officer on a 12-month fixed term contract. We are seeking an experienced Project Officer with a strong financial background to coordinate and deliver on various projects, contributing to the improvement and transformation of the Finance department.
This full-time position commences immediately, with hybrid working in Central London.
Key Responsibilities:
- Working closely with senior management to prepare comprehensive action plans, including resources, timeframes and budgets for projects
- To perform various coordinating tasks (scheduling and risk management), along with administrative duties, maintaining project documentation and handling financial queries
- Help prepare budgets, analyse risks and opportunities
- Support the creation and delivery of processes, policies, and procedures
- Ensure that all projects are completed on time, within budget and meet high quality standards
- Provide general administrative support to the Director of Finance as requested
Key skillset criteria:
- An understanding of financial principles, including accounting, budgeting, financial analysis, and reporting
- Proven experience in creating and maintaining comprehensive project documentation, dashboard, plans, and reports
- An ability to prioritise workload and deadlines, collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate financial insights effectively
- Prince2 certification is highly desirable
- QBE/PQ/Q is highly desirable
Applications will be reviewed daily, and the role may close before this advert. Please contact Annabelle at MLC Partners to confidentially discuss your job search.