Management Accountant

Job Title

Management Accountant

Salary Band

Business Area

Finance

Location

Birmingham (Hybrid Working, 3 days in Birmingham HQ each week)

Hours

Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Responsible to

(manager’s title)

Head of Financial Control

Main purpose of the role

Concept Housing Association CIC is seeking a seasoned Management Accountant to join our Finance team. The role holder will be responsible for the daily monitoring, reconciling, and correcting of data transfers between different systems across the organisations into the Finance system. To support budget holders to ensure they have up to date financial information and any variance to budget or forecast is known in a timely manner with planned corrective action known. Over the next 6 months we will be implementing a new finance system, and this role will help support the role out of any new system. While not essential a working knowledge of payroll processing would be an advantage.

Key Responsibilities

Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare detailed monthly analyses that compare actual financial results to current forecasts and prior year figures, working closely with budget holders to address and explain variances.

• Conduct a thorough review of cost centres post month-end to ensure accurate coding of costs and revenues, making corrections as necessary to maintain data integrity.

• Timely distribution of budget input templates to all budget holders on a quarterly basis, ensuring clarity and facilitating accurate submissions.

• Schedule and lead monthly meetings with budget holders to address queries on financial matters, coding practices, and income streams.

• Provide support for delegated tasks during team members' absences, ensuring continuity of operations and collaboration.

• Deliver training to new starters and budget holders on financial processes, systems, coding structures, and prepayments, enhancing overall team competency.

Budget, Forecast & Analytics:

• Engage in monthly discussions with budget holders regarding significant variances, proactively investigating and resolving discrepancies.

• Monitor compliance with financial regulations, purchase order processes, and expense/credit card protocols, reporting non-compliance issues to the Financial Controller.

• Compile and present financial reports and insights to the CEO and Executive Team as required, contributing to informed decision-making.

Analytics

• Collaborate with the Benefits Team to ensure complete reconciliations of costs and income related to housing benefits and council tax, enhancing financial accuracy.

• Develop and implement robust processes for the appropriate deduction of recharges from provider payments, improving financial oversight.

• Actively contribute to the project team focused on developing a system to track rent and manage rent arrears, ensuring operational efficiency.

Payroll Management

• Compile payroll information from staff and HR.

• Process the payroll information within a payroll system including both the build-up of gross pay and calculation of net pay

• Preparation of all statutory reporting required by HMRC regarding payroll

Skills and experience

• Formal AAT qualification or equivalent experience in finance.

• Comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience in accounting processes, with a strong focus on financial analysis and reporting.

• Exceptional numeracy and analytical skills, with a proven ability to interpret complex data.

• Demonstrated experience in payroll management and understanding of payroll legislation.

• Proficient in MS Excel (including Pivots, VLOOKUPs, and IF statements) and experienced with Windows-based accounting software.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships with budget holders, colleagues, suppliers, and customers.

• Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.

• Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and discretion.

• Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with a strong work ethic and a willingness to take on challenges.

• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and independently, managing multiple priorities effectively.