Management Accountant
CV-LibraryCambridgepermanentPosted: 26 March 2026
Apply NowPURPOSE
State in a couple of sentences the purpose of the role
The Management Accountant is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and insightful financial information to support decision-making across the business. This includes month-end close, management reporting, project accounting, VAT compliance, cash flow, and balance sheet control.
Working closely with the Financial Controller and operational teams, the role ensures the integrity
of financial data, supports forecasting and planning, and drives continuous improvement in
reporting and control processes.
The benefits we will offer you include:
27 days holiday increasing with service up to 30 days (option to buy /sell)
Pension contributions up to 9%
Healthcare cash plan for you and your children
Extensive flexible benefit program including Cycle to Work
Life assurance at 4x basic salary
Enhanced parental leave and pay
Paid volunteering leave
Access to industry leading wellbeing resources and tools
RESPONSIBILITIES
List key responsibilities and tasks that sit within this role
Deliver month-end close activities, including stock, GRNI, accruals, depreciation, FX revaluations, and period opening/closing in IFS
Perform and review balance sheet reconciliations to audit standard
Validate and post journals, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial controls
Oversee Purchase and Sales ledger activities and month-end ledger closures
Prepare monthly management accounts and narratives describing P&L performance, cash movements, order intake, overhead variances, and working capital movements
Produce and distribute management account packs to Senior Leadership teams
Undertake variance analysis to identify over/under spends against budget or forecast
Prepare and monitor weekly cash flow reporting and provide narrative on movements
Support business planning, including IBP (Integrated Business Planning), quarterly forecasts,
annual budgets, and five-year plans
Prepare UK VAT returns and annual insurance returns, ensuring accurate journals and approvals
Reconcile and report intercompany transactions and support the monthly intercompany
Process monthly payroll journals and reconcile payroll-related control accounts
Liaise with internal and external auditors, providing information and supporting audit
Support implementation of new ERP systems and financial process improvements
Maintain strong financial controls, monitor unapproved timesheets, credit card discrepancies,
and system accuracy
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
List key areas of experience you expect the candidate to have/be able to demonstrate
Significant experience in management accounting, ideally within a manufacturing,
engineering, or project-led environment
Experience with month-end close, balance sheet reconciliation, and management reporting
Knowledge of payroll accounting, VAT returns, and financial controls
Experience with multi-entity and intercompany accounting (desirable)
Exposure to ERP systems (IFS desirable) and advanced Excel reporting
Assist Head of Finance and Financial Controller on ad hoc projects
TECHNICAL SKILLS/EDUCATION
List the level of education, credentials, license(s) or certificate(s) required. If applicable, list 'essential' and 'desirable' qualifications
Essential:
Part-qualified or qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) or equivalent practical experience
Strong month-end close and balance sheet reconciliation experience
Payroll accounting and credit card administration knowledge
VAT return preparation and submission experience
Strong Excel skills and ERP system experience (IFS desirable)
High accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail
Desirable:
Experience in engineering/manufacturing/project-led sectors
Exposure to multi-entity and intercompany accounting
ADDITIONAL LOCAL NEEDS
Additional role requirements, such as physical requirements, environmental conditions, and travel
Hybrid role 70% onsite in Cambridge
Successful candidates will need to complete a BPSS check
KEY STAKEHOLDERS
Outline key roles that this position will collaborate closely with
Operations and Production Teams
Project Managers
Purchasing/Procurement Teams
HR and Payroll Teams
Internal and External Auditors
Group Finance and Reporting Teams
Key benefits and progression opportunities
Opportunity to gain exposure to multi-entity, project-led accounting in a manufacturing environment
Experience leading month-end, reporting, and financial control processes
Involvement in ERP implementation and process improvement initiatives
Exposure to financial decision-making and business planning cycles
Development pathway towards Senior Management Accountant, Finance Manager, or
Finance Business Partner roles
State in a couple of sentences the purpose of the role
The Management Accountant is responsible for delivering accurate, timely, and insightful financial information to support decision-making across the business. This includes month-end close, management reporting, project accounting, VAT compliance, cash flow, and balance sheet control.
Working closely with the Financial Controller and operational teams, the role ensures the integrity
of financial data, supports forecasting and planning, and drives continuous improvement in
reporting and control processes.
The benefits we will offer you include:
27 days holiday increasing with service up to 30 days (option to buy /sell)
Pension contributions up to 9%
Healthcare cash plan for you and your children
Extensive flexible benefit program including Cycle to Work
Life assurance at 4x basic salary
Enhanced parental leave and pay
Paid volunteering leave
Access to industry leading wellbeing resources and tools
RESPONSIBILITIES
List key responsibilities and tasks that sit within this role
Deliver month-end close activities, including stock, GRNI, accruals, depreciation, FX revaluations, and period opening/closing in IFS
Perform and review balance sheet reconciliations to audit standard
Validate and post journals, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial controls
Oversee Purchase and Sales ledger activities and month-end ledger closures
Prepare monthly management accounts and narratives describing P&L performance, cash movements, order intake, overhead variances, and working capital movements
Produce and distribute management account packs to Senior Leadership teams
Undertake variance analysis to identify over/under spends against budget or forecast
Prepare and monitor weekly cash flow reporting and provide narrative on movements
Support business planning, including IBP (Integrated Business Planning), quarterly forecasts,
annual budgets, and five-year plans
Prepare UK VAT returns and annual insurance returns, ensuring accurate journals and approvals
Reconcile and report intercompany transactions and support the monthly intercompany
Process monthly payroll journals and reconcile payroll-related control accounts
Liaise with internal and external auditors, providing information and supporting audit
Support implementation of new ERP systems and financial process improvements
Maintain strong financial controls, monitor unapproved timesheets, credit card discrepancies,
and system accuracy
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
List key areas of experience you expect the candidate to have/be able to demonstrate
Significant experience in management accounting, ideally within a manufacturing,
engineering, or project-led environment
Experience with month-end close, balance sheet reconciliation, and management reporting
Knowledge of payroll accounting, VAT returns, and financial controls
Experience with multi-entity and intercompany accounting (desirable)
Exposure to ERP systems (IFS desirable) and advanced Excel reporting
Assist Head of Finance and Financial Controller on ad hoc projects
TECHNICAL SKILLS/EDUCATION
List the level of education, credentials, license(s) or certificate(s) required. If applicable, list 'essential' and 'desirable' qualifications
Essential:
Part-qualified or qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) or equivalent practical experience
Strong month-end close and balance sheet reconciliation experience
Payroll accounting and credit card administration knowledge
VAT return preparation and submission experience
Strong Excel skills and ERP system experience (IFS desirable)
High accuracy, organisation, and attention to detail
Desirable:
Experience in engineering/manufacturing/project-led sectors
Exposure to multi-entity and intercompany accounting
ADDITIONAL LOCAL NEEDS
Additional role requirements, such as physical requirements, environmental conditions, and travel
Hybrid role 70% onsite in Cambridge
Successful candidates will need to complete a BPSS check
KEY STAKEHOLDERS
Outline key roles that this position will collaborate closely with
Operations and Production Teams
Project Managers
Purchasing/Procurement Teams
HR and Payroll Teams
Internal and External Auditors
Group Finance and Reporting Teams
Key benefits and progression opportunities
Opportunity to gain exposure to multi-entity, project-led accounting in a manufacturing environment
Experience leading month-end, reporting, and financial control processes
Involvement in ERP implementation and process improvement initiatives
Exposure to financial decision-making and business planning cycles
Development pathway towards Senior Management Accountant, Finance Manager, or
Finance Business Partner roles