Management Accountant

Job Role Management Accountant Location Beckfoot Trust Reporting to Lead Management Accountant Required Qualification AAT L4 or ACA/ACCA/CIMA Are you an experienced management accountant looking for your next role in education? The Supply Register is proud to be working with a multi-academy trust in the West Yorkshire region as a managed provider, we are recruiting for this exclusive role and we are looking for an experienced, passionate and dedicated individual who has previous experience working in a management accountant position ideally within the education sector, this role will is based within one of the Beckfoot Schools, the school are looking for somebody who has a can-do attitude and proven track record working in accountancy. Role Requirements Act as finance partner to schools to ensure high levels of accuracy and reliability in relation to management accounts and budget forecasting, working with colleagues and supporting students to achieve top 10% outcomes in a remarkable learning environment. Understand and fulfil expectations of a Leader as set out in the Trust School Contract, Scheme of Delegation, Local School Committee and the Meeting Arrangements Calendar (MAC). Adhere to the principles of alignment in the One Trust Contract. Ensure probity, propriety and adherence to the Nolan Principles both in your personal conduct and throughout the Trust. Contribute to a culture of relentless improvement, where feedback is a gift. Lead and uphold an individual and organisational commitment to safeguarding and promoting the well‑being of children; being hyper‑vigilant in all interactions with pupils and adults and reporting any concerns or suspicions, no matter how small, to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (Pupils) / Headteacher (Staff). Comply with all policies, procedures, working practices and regulations, in particular, Child Protection, Equality and Diversity, Health and Safety, Confidentiality, Data Protection, Financial Regulations in line with our Scheme of Delegation. Be accountable to and carry out any reasonable request from the Line Manager. Key Duties and Responsibilities Provide a high level of finance support to the schools within the Trust. Work with high standards of accuracy and compliance in line with the Trust policies and procedures following standard operating procedures and identifying areas for improvement. Have named responsibility for specific schools management accounts and budgets, acting as the finance partner and working directly with the Cluster Business Manager and Headteacher on strategic financial planning. Ensures schools have access to timely and accurate management information, preparing monthly management accounts and commentary and budget forecasts in line with the Trust financial reporting cycle. Be the first point of contact for finance related matters for the headteacher and cluster business manager of named schools. Lead finance meetings with school Headteachers and the Cluster Business Manager, taking responsibility for providing relevant financial analysis to inform strategic thinking. Working closely with Headteachers and Cluster Business Managers to ensure latest strategic thinking is incorporated into forecasts including supporting with curriculum led financial planning, collating complex information and preparing detailed budget forecasts. Perform regular financial benchmarking internally and externally, reporting on findings and drawing conclusions and implementing arising actions. Adhering to month end procedures and performing relevant reconciliations and checks. Keeping budget software up to date including income, expenditure and staffing costs, working closely with colleagues in HR and Finance to ensure data is accurate and up to date. Supporting with the day‑to‑day operation of the finance function where appropriate. Supporting the procurement function of the Trust. Contributing to financial planning and analysis across all areas of school functioning including capital and ICT planning. Identify financial risk and escalate or deal with the risk as appropriate. Work with high standards of accuracy and compliance in practice in line with the Trust policies and procedures. Ensures that the operations of the finance function are compliant, and that segregation of duties are observed. Work with the CFO, Lead Management Accountant, Procurement Manager and the Finance Manager to develop and implement standard operating procedures to ensure that the operation of finance is effective, efficient, consistent and reliable. Line‑manage and lead on recruitment, induction, and appraisal of designated staff, providing effective communication, training, and mentoring to enable staff to carry out duties. Maintain accurate records using relevant systems in line with policy and records management procedures. Lead and attend meetings and undertake duties as required in line with Trust calendar, sharing expertise and supporting others. Provide occasional cover for colleagues in support functions. Assist with the supervision and welfare of pupils, contributing to effective behaviour management in school. Contribute to the development of systems and procedures in the department, support the life of the school and work within the overall aims and objectives of the school. Carry out fire marshal or first aid duties if required, with appropriate training. Deliver on a particular area of specialism (as outlined below), in agreement by the line manager. Specialism 1 Specialise in income, tracking grants and funding of all types across the Trust. Manage the Trust investment and deposit strategy, ensuring there is appropriate cashflow to meet the Trust bills as they fall due. Operate the income generation strategy including supporting fundraising bids, lettings and other income generation activities. Support the operational team and other management accountants in relation to all aspects of income. Specialism 2 Specialise in expenditure costs including SCA and ICT budget tracking and reconciliation. Track capital spend, ensuring a consistent approach to expenditure assumptions across the Trust. Ensure a consistent approach to fixed asset recording across the Trust. Complete non‑staffing recharges. Support the operational team and other management accountants in relation to SCA, ICT, Capital and non‑staffing recharges. Specialism 3 Specialise in staffing costs, uploading the monthly payroll journal and payroll reconciliation and ensuring that staffing is treated consistently in budgets across the Trust. Complete staffing recharges. Complete consolidated returns to external bodies including DFE Returns, TPS audit, HMRC returns etc. Play a lead role in the year end financial statements production and audit. Lead the internal scrutiny of the finance function. Lead the external scrutiny of the finance function. Maintain a consistent chart of accounts and ensures it is applied consistently across the Trust. Ensure trust wide assumptions are included in budgeting software and applied consistently. Support the operational team and other management accountants in relation to technical accounting matters, staffing recharges, payroll journals, internal and external scrutiny, and financial reporting. Professional Development Be committed to your own professional development, demonstrating the desire to be better tomorrow than you are today. Establish and participate in training opportunities, meetings, and networking to maintain excellent service delivery and knowledge in role. Seek feedback and act on it to improve performance within and beyond formal coaching and appraisal opportunities. Actively engage in the school coaching offer and appraisal process. Share and support the Trust's ethos to provide and monitor opportunities for personal and academic growth and success. In Return We Can Offer Salary is paid to scale weekly through PAYE. Support throughout your placements. Opportunities for flexible part‑time or contract work. Please be aware that this role will involve engaging with students in regulated activities relevant to children. This is a school‑based role that will involve contact with children. #J-18808-Ljbffr