Financial Accountant

Financial Accountant

Location: Leicestershire - Hybrid

Working Pattern: 3 days office-based / 2 days working from home

Salary: £45,000-£55,000 per annum

Contract: 9-12 months

Start date: ASAP

The Financial Accountant will provide effective financial accounting, control and reporting across a large, multi-site education organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage month-end close, balance sheet reporting, reconciliations and financial controls.
Ensure accurate accounting of income, expenditure, restricted funds, grants and donations.
Maintain the fixed asset register and oversee depreciation accounting.
Manage cash flow forecasting, treasury activity and cash reporting.
Oversee billing, collections and debt management.
Lead the preparation of statutory accounts and coordinate interim and year-end audits.
Complete regulatory, government and grant reporting requirements.
Maintain strong financial governance, compliance records and internal controls.
Manage VAT, Corporation Tax and Gift Aid compliance, including HMRC queries.
Provide technical accounting and tax guidance across the organisation.
Manage and develop a team of part-qualified accountants and finance assistants, including appraisals, coaching and training.
Support internal audit requirements and the implementation of agreed actions.
Develop and improve finance processes, controls and systems.
Work collaboratively across the organisation to drive continuous improvement in financial reporting and data quality.
Skills and Experience Required:

Qualified Accountant - CIMA/ACCA/ACA/CIPFA
Strong technical financial accounting knowledge and experience.
Experience of month-end accounting, balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls.
Experience preparing or supporting statutory financial accounts and external audits.
Strong cash flow forecasting capabilities
Knowledge of VAT and wider tax compliance requirements.
Experience working within a strong financial governance and control environment.
Strong analytical skills and excellent attention to detail.
The ability to communicate financial and technical information effectively to finance and non-finance stakeholders.
Experience managing, coaching or developing finance team members.
Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
A proactive approach to improving financial processes, systems and controls.

Experience within education, the public sector, charities or another multi-site organisation would be advantageous, although candidates from other complex organisations are also encouraged to apply.

The organisation is committed to investing in its people and supporting ongoing professional development. The role provides an opportunity to broaden technical accounting expertise, gain exposure to a complex multi-site organisation and contribute to significant finance improvement initiatives.

Occasional UK-wide travel will be required to support the organisation's wider network