Management Accountant

Please note, this will be a part-time position (either 3-4 days per week or reduced working hours across 5 days)

We are ZEAL, a brand activation group that helps fast-moving brands grow faster by turning apathy into action in the moments that matter most.

Powered by our ZEAL-EQ process, we create powerful emotional engagement, unlock hidden shopper buying triggers and give brands the “cheat codes” to win in their key retail channels.

Born in Manchester, we are an independent group with 150 people across Manchester, London, Singapore and Los Angeles, delivering integrated activation across shopper marketing, experiential, partnerships, PR, social, influencer and digital.

We work with leading global brands including Nestlé, Carlsberg Britvic, Suntory, Kraft Heinz, Kellanova, Arla, Bacardi, Essity, Froneri, Weetabix and Revlon.

Our work has been recognised across the industry, including three consecutive IPM Agency of the Year titles (2023–2025), FMBE Brand Experience Agency of the Year 2026, and the Campaign Experience Awards’ Best Integrated Campaign (2025). We have also been shortlisted for Independent Agency of the Year at the Campaign Agency of the Year Awards 2025 and are proud to be listed in Campaign’s Top 100 Best Places to Work.

Joining our established finance department, you’ll work in to our Financial Controller acting as a partner to our Group offering (ZEAL Creative, Joe Public, Tommy) and using your expertise to help guide our continued growth.

• Ownership of month-end close for designated entities (excluding revenue/WIP areas)
• Preparation of monthly management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow)
• Detailed variance analysis on cost base, overheads, and non-revenue balance sheet movements
• Full ownership of balance sheet reconciliations (prepayments, accruals, fixed assets, intercompany, etc.)
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of all non-revenue postings
• Ownership and reporting of overheads and cost base across entities
• Monitoring and challenging departmental spend
• Supporting cost allocation methodologies across group entities
• Identifying opportunities for cost efficiencies and margin improvement on overheads

• Preparation and submission of UK VAT returns
• Ensuring correct VAT treatment across transactions (including intercompany and agency-specific scenarios)

• Assist in the preparation and review of payroll (liaising with external providers where relevant)
• Ownership of payroll journals, reconciliations, and staff cost analysis
• Oversight of employee expenses process, ensuring compliance with company policy
• Monitoring and reporting on total people costs

• Work closely with the Accounts Assistant to oversee:
  • Purchase ledger (creditors) management and payment runs
  • Sales ledger (debtors) processes and cash collection
• Ensure strong controls and processes are in place across both cycles
• Support escalation and resolution of aged debt or supplier issues

• Preparation of short-term cashflow forecasts
• Monitoring of working capital, particularly creditors and non-revenue accruals

• Establish and improve financial processes for new and scaling entities
• Maintain robust financial controls and documentation
• Drive efficiencies through automation and system improvements

• Support group reporting and consolidation processes
• Assist with year-end audit and statutory accounts preparation
• Provide ad hoc analysis and project support to CFO / FC

• Proven experience working as a Management Accountant (marketing agency experience or similar is a plus)
• Strong ability to interpret complex data and translate it into clear, actionable advice
• Exceptional verbal and written skills to tell the “financial story” to non-finance teams and senior management
• Advanced knowledge of and proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Experience working across a group set-up would be advantageous

• 24 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata)
• Contributory pension scheme
• Annual company bonus scheme (pro-rata)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Continuous learning and development
• Enhanced parental benefits

• The last Friday of every quarter is a ZEAL Day off
• Christmas closure
• Work from home budget to help you achieve your dream set up
• Dog friendly offices
• A wealth of social events from our seasonal gatherings to our quarter review get togethers

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