Senior Management Accountant

Senior Management Accountant
HYBRID / LOCATION (2 days per week in the London office)
SALARY:£70,000 - 75,000 DOE

Times Higher Education is the data provider underpinning university excellence in every continent across the world. As the company behind the world’s most influential university ranking, and with almost five decades of experience as a source of analysis and insight on higher education, we have unparalleled expertise on the trends underpinning university performance globally. Our data and benchmarking tools are used by many of the world’s most prestigious universities to help them achieve their strategic goals and our events series act as the home of higher education thought leadership around the world.

We are seeking a qualified and technically strong Senior Management Accountant to join our finance team. Reporting to the Financial Controller, this role owns the monthly management accounting cycle, ensures a robust control environment, and provides the accurate, timely financial information our PE backers, Board, and senior stakeholders rely on. This is a hands‑on role with genuine scope to shape process and progress throughout the Financial Control function.

• Prepare and deliver the monthly management accounts pack accurately and to deadline.
• Own balance sheet reconciliations and control accounts, ensuring a clean, well-supported balance sheet.
• Conduct the month-end group P&L review and variance analysis (budget vs. actual vs. forecast), providing clear commentary on performance drivers.
• Assist FP&A with producing detailed revenue and gross profit reporting by product, customer, or business unit as relevant.

• Contribute financial information and analysis to Board packs (including Balance Sheet, Cash Flow & Net Working Capital movements).
• Support the Financial Controller and FP&A/Finance Business Partner team in preparing business plans/investment case slides and ad hoc requests.

• Support the preparation of statutory accounts (FRS 102 / IFRS as applicable) and be the main point of contact for the year-end external audit for the auditors. You will ensure that any queries are answered accurately and in a timely manner, coordinating Finance team members to contribute to those responses wherever necessary.
• Prepare and submit VAT returns; support corporation tax return preparation where required.
• Maintain the fixed asset register, including additions, disposals, and depreciation.
• Maintain supplier level reconciliations for prepayments and accruals each month.
• You will be responsible for preparing regulatory compliance returns and reports on behalf of the Group, including (but not limited to) our obligations around ESG reporting.

• Assist the Group Financial Controller with day-to-day administration of the Group’s insurance policies and acting as a point of contact for the Group's insurance broker(s). This will involve:
• Managing the annual renewal cycle across all policies, ensuring cover is appropriately reviewed, benchmarked, and renewed on time.
• Liaising directly with insurers on claims, ensuring they are notified, progressed, and resolved promptly.

• Support the Fin Ops team with the preparation of 13w cashflow forecasts, and support day-to-day cash management.

• Develop and maintain a strong internal controls environment across your area of responsibility.
• Identify and implement process improvements, using Excel, Power Query, BI tools, or automation to increase efficiency and scalability.

• Mentor the junior Management Accountant, supporting their technical development.
• Deputise for the Financial Controller as…