JOB SPECIFICATION
Management Accountant
Job Title
Management Accountant
Location
North Leicester - Office based
Reports To
Executive Chairman
Day-to-Day
As above
Direct Reports
Accounts Assistant, Stock controller
Salary
circa £45,000 - £50,000 depending on experience
About the Business
This is a UK-based technology business operating in a specialist sector, with a small, close-knit team. It has an exclusive reseller in Australia. The businesses are currently under reconstruction into a single group. This has created the opportunity for the role. Concurrently systems are being strengthened, reporting is being professionalised, and the successful applicant will play a meaningful part in that process Following reconstruction, head office will move to Melbourne Australia and the position will report to the Group CEO based there.
Role Overview
This is a broad and varied role for an experienced finance professional who is equally comfortable with the detail of monthly accounts and the practicalities of running an efficient, well-controlled business operation. The Management Accountant will be the senior finance and administrative presence in the UK business, providing hands-on management of the finance function alongside responsibility for key operational processes including pricing, purchasing, inventory control and contract/tender administration.
The role is well suited to someone who wants breadth and scope in a small growing business— not a purely transactional position. The postholder will be a reliable point of reference for the UK team and will ultimately work closely with the Group CEO based in Australia, supporting the delivery of accurate, timely management information at group level.
The UK business has committed to replacing fragmented accounting, CRM and operational solutions with Salesforce, an end-to-end ERP solution already customised to the business model which is similar in both regions. This will facilitate a common culture and language for managing the combined business performance going forward.
Key Responsibilities
Finance and Reporting
- Preparation of monthly management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow
- Variance analysis and commentary on management accounts for review by group finance
- Maintenance of the accounting system (currently Sage, but moving to Xero), ensuring data integrity and system discipline
- VAT returns, PAYE and other statutory financial obligations
- Year-end accounts preparation and liaison with external auditors (Mazars)
- Credit control and accounts receivable management
- Accounts payable — processing supplier invoices, payment runs and reconciliation
- Payroll administration in conjunction with relevant payroll provider
- Cash flow monitoring and forecasting
Internal Control and Systems
- Ownership of internal financial controls across the UK operation
- ERP data integrity — ensuring financial data, contract records and operational inputs are accurate and consistent with the accounting system
- Control account reconciliations and resolution of discrepancies
- Oversight of financial integrations between accounting, ERP and other operational systems
- Lead role in ERP/CRM development from a finance and administration perspective — the right candidate will have the opportunity to take ownership of planned Salesforce optimisation for the UK business
Inventory and Purchasing
- Inventory management and control — maintaining accurate stock records, overseeing regular stock takes and reconciling physical stock to system records
- Engineer stock and field inventory oversight
- Purchasing support — managing the commercial and financial side of procurement in conjunction with the technical team (bill of materials and supplier specifications are owned by the technical team)
- Supplier invoice management and AP processing in line with purchasing workflow
- Economic order quantity and safety stock parameters — working with the system-driven ordering process to ensure stock levels are appropriate
Commercial
- Ownership of pricing administration — maintaining pricing schedules and quote templates ensuring that prices correspond with costs and meet the pricing strategy of the business
- Contractual – In conjunction with company solicitors maintain the company trading terms and conditions, ensuring they are reflective of current legal and system security requirements at all times
- Tender administration — coordinating the preparation and submission of tenders, working with the relevant team members on content (volume is modest but accuracy and presentation are important)
- Participate as required in the negotiating new and renewal contract prices and terms for key customers
Administration and Operations
- Fleet administration — vehicle management, servicing records, insurance and compliance
- Office and facilities administration for the UK operation
- HR administration support — maintaining personnel records, holiday and absence tracking, onboarding documentation
Person Specification
Essential
Qualifications
AAT qualified, part-qualified CIMA/ACCA, or qualified by experience
Experience
Minimum 5 years in a similar role with broad operational scope, working with job standard costing and variance analysis ideally in an SME environment where self-sufficiency is the norm
Systems
Proficiency maintaining control accounts between Sage and ERP systems as well as strong Microsoft Excel skills
Character
Hands-on, organised, and comfortable working independently. The role requires someone who takes ownership rather than waiting to be directed, is trustworthy and decisive
Communication
Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues and to senior management remotely
Attention to Detail
High degree of accuracy in financial processing and reporting
Desirable
ERP/CRM
Experience with Salesforce or a comparable ERP/CRM system, particularly in an internal control or operational finance context
Sector
Experience in a field service, engineering, or technology business — familiarity with installation, stock and project-based revenue models is an advantage
Inventory
Experience managing physical inventory and reconciling stock records to financial systems
Purchasing
Involvement in purchasing administration and supplier management in an SME context
Pay: £45,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
