Assistant Management Accountant. LilyLifestyle

Assistant Management Accountant

Part-Time, 12-Month FTC. 25 hours weekly (ideal). £32,000 - 35,000 FTE. Flexible working pattern, hybrid working available.

We are working exclusively with a well-established regional education group to recruit an Assistant Management Accountant into their central finance team on a 12‑month fixed‑term contract.

This role has arisen due to internal maternity cover within the finance team, creating an opportunity for someone to step into a broad, hands‑on management accounting role with excellent support and a structured handover period.

This is a genuinely flexible, part‑time opportunity offering autonomy over how your hours are worked, alongside a varied remit supporting financial management across multiple academies. It would suit someone who values work‑life balance and is looking for a role where they can make a meaningful contribution without the pressure of a high‑intensity corporate environment.

Reporting into the Financial Controller, you will play a key role in ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting across the Trust, supporting both operational finance and strategic decision‑making.

This is very much a safe pair of hands role. Someone confident in the fundamentals of management accounting who can take ownership, maintain strong financial controls, and support the wider team without needing significant hand holding.

• Managing month‑end processes including journals, accruals, prepayments, and deferrals
• Producing monthly management accounts and supporting variance reporting against budget
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting, and reforecasting cycles across multiple academies
• Building strong working relationships with academy leaders and central teams across 14 schools
• Providing financial reporting and analysis to support decision‑making
• Supporting payroll budgeting and ensuring alignment across academy delivery models
• Acting as a key user of finance systems, supporting users and budget holders where needed
• Assisting with audit preparation, reconciliations, and compliance requirements
• Supporting finance projects and continuous improvement across the Trust
• Ensuring compliance with academy financial regulations, including ESFA guidance and the Academy Trust Handbook

We are looking for someone practical, reliable, and values‑led who takes pride in doing things properly and can work at pace without over complicating processes.

You will ideally have:

• Strong experience in a management accounting or assistant management accounting role
• Solid month‑end experience including journals, accruals, prepayments, and reporting
• Strong systems knowledge and confidence working independently without heavy supervision
• Very strong Excel skills
• Qualified by experience (QBE), AAT qualified, part‑qualified, or newly qualified
• The ability to build strong relationships across a multi‑site organisation
• A professional, calm, and collaborative working style

Education or academy trust experience is helpful but not essential; attitude, capability, and cultural fit are more important.

• Hours per week available
• 25 hours per week is the ideal requirement
• Flexibility across 4 or 5 days depending on preference
• Hybrid working available – office presence only when needed, not for presenteeism
• Occasional travel to academy sites if required, though this is infrequent

• 12‑month fixed‑term contract (employed directly by the Trust)
• Ideal start date:
  June, though flexibility is available for the right person
• Full handover planned across June/July
• Face‑to‑face interview process
• DBS check required
• Exclusive vacancy

If you are looking for a flexible finance role where you can be trusted to do good work, supported by a strong team and a values‑led organisation, we’d be keen to hear from you.