JOB DESCRIPTION. Management Accountant. Grade: F Date: updated November 2016

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION Management Accountant Reporting to: Direct Reports: Location: Manager - Financial Planning and Insight None London Grade: F Date: updated November 2016 MAIN PURPOSE To provide professional business support to budget holders and ensure financial control and effective decision making through financial, operational and business evaluation and analysis. To play a key role in financial planning through the creation of budgets and forecasts and report on performance through the production of management accounts and other analytical reports for the charity, as required. To develop and provide analytical reports and accounts on any aspect of the charity s activities and contribute to the overall financial appraisal of the organisation s performance. DIMENSIONS Working in a team with other management accountants. Having direct responsibility for assigned areas of the charity s business. Enhancing the organisation s financial management through the provision and analysis of reliable and useful financial information and the development and improvement of processes. PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES. Provide Business Support to Budget holders and Senior Management Ensure the production of monthly management accounts, and the circulation of final figures, to published deadlines. Review data to identify issues affecting management information and ensure those issues are addressed and measures taken to prevent them reoccurring in future. Prepare monthly consolidated variance reports, working with Fundraising teams to acquire commentaries; providing support and challenge where appropriate. Respond to queries from budget holders. Proactively identify opportunities to provide additional relevant information and areas where customers will benefit from improved services. Production of budgeting and planning information to ensure robust financial control of resources. Participate in the development of the annual budgeting and development of 3 Year Plan. Provide budget holders with all necessary information for the preparation of their individual budgets within agreed timescales. Consolidate budgets from all teams and provide in depth analysis. Be able to challenge budget holders when necessary, in a positive manner. Identify key issues and recommend improvements in the budgeting process. Assist budget-holders with appropriate phasing and activity analysis of final budgets. Ensure the approved budget is uploaded on to the accounting system and is accurately and comprehensively recorded. Ensure the authorisation and posting of budget virements into the accounting system.

2 Support budget holders with income and expenditure predictions for the (quarterly) forecasts, using appropriate forecasting techniques, and with assessing impact. Consolidate quarterly forecasts and integrate up-to date forecast figures in the monthly variance reporting. Support budget holders in operational and business planning and performance data management Assist budget holders in developing and evaluating operational and business plans for their areas of activity. Identify/confirm appropriate performance data measurement criteria. Provide training, support and guide budget holders in understanding their management accounts, budgeting, forecasting and performance management responsibilities. This will include providing inductions for new starters. Review, maintain and improve as necessary, the level of business management expertise in budget holders. Promptly resolve budget holder queries, effectively communicating with other teams to investigate and resolve issues. Provide Monthly and Year End reporting Analyse, allocate and report on the financial position of restricted funds. Assist with ad-hoc financial reporting as may be required and contribute to the drafting of the annual statutory accounts. Undertake variance and error analysis and investigate and correct issues with transactions or coding. Maintain and reconcile monthly income and expenditure accruals process. Assist finance team with Year -end accruals preparation. Produce monthly consolidated and individual management accounts against up-to-date forecast figures. These need to be turned around in line with our strict reporting deadlines and published online (Sharepoint). Prepare and post online the template for consolidated variance reporting to be filled by the budget holders, review and present final report to Fundraising Management Team at their monthly meeting. Review systems and procedures and develop new reporting Identify on an ongoing basis, and record issues, requiring review of financial controls and procedures. Assist with the internal audit of systems and processes, and advise on areas of potential weakness. Undertake and ensure timely implementation of improvements to systems. Assess the implications of any organisational or external changes on the finance and database systems and coding structure. Maintain Coding in the accounting system and liaise and update relevant teams of any changes. Propose new methods of reporting and participate in consultation process with other users. Liaise with budget-holders to ensure their understanding of systems and how to interpret the data. Monitor compliance with standing financial instructions. Demonstrate to budget-holders appropriate use of financial and performance data software applications. Support budget holders in the use of business software applications. Other accounting, financial and administrative duties To undertake special projects, analyse findings and report back with recommendations. To participate in charity and department initiatives and working groups Participate in the scrutiny of initiatives and proposed financial agreements. Prepare regular and ad hoc reports for stakeholders as may be required WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AND CONTACTS Budget Holders, Fundraising Management Team Finance team, MIS, Income and Data processing, HR Auditors and other professional advisers

3 GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES To adhere to the CLIC Sargent Equal Opportunities policy in all activities and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues in accordance with Health and Safety legislation and CLIC Sargent polices and procedures To be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people To have an understanding of and commitment to the values of the charity Any other duties as directed by and agreed with line manager The responsibilities of this post and reporting structure will be periodically reviewed. This post is subject to a Criminal Records check. In the event of a successful application a Disclosure report will be sought. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION Management Accountant Requirements Essential Desirable Educational / Professional Qualifications Qualified Accountant (UK or other country) or Finalist (part-qualified) and/or with substantial experience in management accounting (Qualified by experience). Preferably a member of a CCAB accounting institute. Experience Experience of running the month/year end accounting closure process and production of monthly management accounting packs. Experience in preparation of budgets, forecasts, variance reporting, providing analysis and supporting management in decision making. Proven track record of improving processes within the department and crossfunctional. Experience of developing new management reports and ability to analyse trends and make relevant business recommendations. Business partnering experience is essential. Financial modelling. Experience of working in Charities/ NGOs is desirable, but not essential. Restricted fund reporting experience. Commercial background is desirable, as role involves supporting a chain of shops and online sales. Experience in Change management, or active support in such projects. Skills/Abilities Sound knowledge of financial accounting (accruals, prepayments etc.); management accounting; performance management and forecasting techniques. Awareness of, understanding and anticipating the needs of budget holders. Ability to communicate effectively across functions using all media. Attention to detail. Good analytical and decision making skills. Problem solving with a can do attitude, working independently as required and using initiative. Detailed knowledge and understanding of financial accounting rules. Ability to manage projects and lead on process change.

5 Technical skills Ability to prioritise own work to meet strict deadlines and to achieve agreed targets. Ability to work effectively in a team. Advanced Excel skills (as a minimum: Lookups, Pivot tables, presenting data in various graphical formats). Applicant needs to be able to analyse large volumes of data using relevant Excel functionality. Intermediate skills in PowerPoint and Word, ability to manipulate big data. Experience and high level competence in the use of financial accounting packages, in particular SUN and Vision. Ability to learn new systems and applications. Excel -Macros, PowerPivot, PowerQuery. Experience of using BI software and SharePoint. Experience of implementing accounting systems, or active participation in such projects. Experience of using SUN systems and associated reporting tools.