Management Accountant

Job Title: Management Accountant

Actual Annual Salary: £39,649 - £42,301 (CLF Grade

F)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, All year-round

Additional Information: You will work through a blended model that includes home working and time spent at Federation House in Kingswood, with two days per week based at Federation House and periodic visits to academies across the trust as required.

Provisional

Start Date:

April 2026

We are seeking a skilled, proactive and detail-driven Management Accountant to deliver high-quality financial support, insight and analysis across our central team and academies. This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative and forward-thinking finance function, where your expertise will directly contribute to strong financial management, informed decision-making, and improved outcomes for staff and students across the Cabot Learning Federation.

In this role, you will work closely with Principals, senior leaders, academy staff and central colleagues, providing effective business partnering, robust month-end reporting and expert financial guidance. You will play a pivotal part in delivering accurate forecasting, insightful analysis and strong financial controls ensuring our academies can manage their resources efficiently, compliantly, and sustainably.

As a Management Accountant, you will:

• Build trusted, professional relationships with stakeholders at all levels, offering expert financial advice, guidance and challenge.
• Lead month-end processes, including reconciliations, prepayments, accruals, income deferrals, payroll reporting and balance sheet reviews.
• Produce clear, accessible financial reporting, translating complex financial information into meaningful insights that support effective decision-making.
• Support annual budget setting for multiple academies and monitor in-year performance, identifying risks, opportunities and key financial trends.
• Analyse expenditure including non-staffing spend to identify trends, cost‑saving opportunities and efficiencies.
• Maintain and enhance financial controls, ensuring compliance with CLF Financial Regulations, ESFA requirements and GDPR legislation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in HR, IT, Estates and Operations, providing high-quality management information to support organisation-wide planning and understanding.
• Deliver training and guidance to academy and central staff on financial procedures and the use of financial systems.

You will bring:

• Strong knowledge of finance regulations, month-end processes and annual budget preparation.
• An AAT qualification and/or newly qualified accountant status.
• Experience working with financial systems and maintaining accurate, reliable data.
• Excellent analytical skills with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
• The ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines, lead on key financial processes and exercise sound judgement.
• Strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel and financial systems.
• A proactive, solution-focused approach, using initiative to drive improvements and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• High levels of discretion, professionalism and commitment to confidentiality.
• A commitment to continuous improvement, equality, safeguarding and the values of working within an education environment.

Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached job description and person specification prior to submitting an application.

As a Management Accountant, you’ll be part of a supportive and high-performing central finance function that is committed to developing its people and delivering exceptional service.

• The opportunity to influence financial decision-making across a diverse portfolio of academies.
• Varied, meaningful work that directly supports education outcomes.
• Opportunities to lead project work and contribute to process improvements.
• Flexible,…