Management Accountant

Role Overview

PadelStars is a profitable padel centre operator that was established in 2022, currently operates 10 venues and is rapidly expanding with new centres at a pace of 5+ per year. We are seeking a Management Accountant with strong commercial awareness and an interest in the sports industry, specifically padel and multi-sport facilities. To date, management accounting has been outsourced but is now being brought in house. You will be the first hire and so will be able to lead and shape the finance department.

The role will support financial planning, reporting, bookkeeping and operational decision-making across venues, coaching programmes, retail, events, and membership revenue streams. As the business grows, we expect to hire a bookkeeper to support in the role.

You will play a key role in optimising profitability, enhancing financial performance, and supporting the growth of padel operations across the UK.

Key Responsibilities

Management Reporting

• Produce monthly management accounts for each club/venue, including P&L, balance sheet reconciliations and cash flow analysis
• Prepare detailed commentary on revenue lines such as court bookings, memberships, coaching, tournaments, and café/retail operations
• Analyse P&L, balance sheet and cashflow performance, venue performance, utilisation rates, occupancy levels, and yield per court
• Provide variance analysis and recommend improvements based on financial trends
• Prepare month-end journals (accruals, prepayments, depreciation, payroll allocations)
• Provide variance analysis and recommend improvements based on financial trends

Daily Bookkeeping & Transaction Processing

• Maintain accurate financial records in the Xero accounting system including divisional and tracking between projects and locations
• Process purchase invoices utilising automatic data capture (Hubdoc), raise corporate and educational sales invoices, receipts and payments and take booking software information to upload on Xero
• Reconcile bank accounts and credit cards daily
• Liaise with the court booking app and reconcile transactions
• Manage accounts payable, staff expenses and accounts receivable ledgers
• Maintain fixed asset register on Xero

Cash Flow & Financial Control

• Monitor daily/weekly cash position
• Prepare payment runs and allocate receipts
• Flag issues or variances promptly
• Maintain robust financial controls and processes

VAT, Payroll & Compliance

• Prepare monthly VAT returns
• Prepare monthly payroll
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, Auto enrolment responsibilities and Companies House deadlines

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Prepare annual budgets, rolling forecasts, scenario planning and cashflow modelling
• Work with leadership, venue managers and operations teams to assist financial forecasting
• Monitor performance against budget and proactively identify risks and growth opportunities
• Analyse all revenue streams, court and membership pricing and suggest improvements

Sports Facility Operations Support

Work collaboratively with operations to evaluate:

• Court utilisation and scheduling
• Coaching productivity
• Staffing models for clubs
• Capital expenditure for new courts or facility upgrades
• Support feasibility studies for new padel facilities

Compliance & Controls

• Ensure financial processes align with UK GAAP and internal control frameworks
• Assist with regulatory and statutory requirements such as GDPR, internal audit controls, and external audit queries
• Maintain accurate financial systems for multi-site operations

Year-End & Audit Support

• Assist external accountants with year-end accounts
• Prepare audit-ready schedules and documentation
• Ensure financial controls are effective

Experience & Skills

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) preferred
• Strong experience preparing management accounts
• Analytical mindset with excellent attention to detail
• Strong Excel skills and able to work with large data sets.

Personal Qualities

• Commercially minded with strong problem-solving skills
• Confident communicator
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Proactive, efficient, and able to take ownership

Working Conditions

• Principal place of work: Clapham Junction
• Travel to venues as required
• Driving licence and car and advantage
• Occasional extended hours during month-end or event periods
• Fast-paced, growth-driven environment within the sports sector