Management Accountant (12-Month Fixed-Term Contract)

Location: Wiltshire (Hybrid/Flexible Working Available)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Management Accountant to join our Finance team on a 12 month fixed-term contract. This is a varied, hands-on role responsible for delivering accurate financial reporting, management accounts, payroll, budgeting, forecasting and financial governance across the organisation.

Working closely with senior leaders and budget holders, you will provide commercial financial insight to support strategic decision-making, whilst leading a small finance team and ensuring robust financial controls and compliance. This role also offers the opportunity to play a key part in the continued development of finance systems and processes, including embedding the use of Iplicit across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management

• Prepare accurate monthly and quarterly management accounts for the Executive Team and Trustees.
• Produce budgets, forecasts and financial reports to support organisational decision-making.
• Monitor project income and expenditure, ensuring grant claims are submitted and received promptly.
• Maintain cash flow forecasts and monitor investment performance.
• Prepare annual accounts and support the year-end audit process.
• Reconcile control accounts, bank accounts and third-party funds.
• Administer the organisation's online banking platform.

Payroll & Compliance

• Process the monthly payroll using Sage, ensuring compliance with PAYE, National Insurance and pension legislation.
• Manage pension administration and act as the main contact for pension providers.
• Prepare quarterly VAT returns and annual VAT adjustments.
• Ensure compliance with Charity SORP, financial regulations and statutory reporting requirements.
• Produce annual ENTRUST financial reports and manage compliance for funded projects.

Business Partnering

• Work collaboratively with budget holders to provide financial guidance and support.
• Assist with funding applications and financial reporting for grant providers.
• Promote financial awareness and best practice across the organisation.
• Support the implementation and ongoing development of the Iplicit finance system.

Team Leadership

• Lead, support and develop the Finance team.
• Oversee day-to-day transactional finance activities, including:
  • Accounts Payable
  • Accounts Receivable
  • Credit Control
  • Bank Reconciliations
  • Expense Processing
  • Gift Aid and Direct Debit processing
• Review workloads and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and financial processes.

About You

You'll be an organised and detail-oriented finance professional with strong technical accounting knowledge and the ability to build effective working relationships across the organisation.

Essential Skills & Experience

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA part-qualified, or qualified by experience.
• Previous experience producing management accounts within a small or medium-sized organisation.
• Recent payroll processing experience.
• Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
• Understanding of Charity SORP.
• Experience managing or supervising finance staff.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Experience improving finance processes and systems.
• Knowledge of Iplicit, Exchequer or Sage Payroll.
• Experience preparing VAT returns and ENTRUST reporting.
• Understanding of grant funding and charity finance.

What You'll Bring

• A proactive, hands-on approach.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and business partnering abilities.
• Confidence working with senior leadership and non-finance managers.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to motivate and develop others.
• Commitment to maintaining high standards of financial governance and compliance.