Job title: Management Accountant
Contract: Permanent, full time (35 hours per week)
Salary: £32,000 - £37,000 per annum
Location: Hybrid working from our Burford office - at least two days in the office per week.
Closing date: 11th April 2023
Interview dates: Please see the recruitment process for the details

Blue Cross is one of the UK’s leading animal welfare organisations for animals. We are a charity that supports sick, injured, and homeless pets and care for more than 40,000 animals every year through our rehoming, veterinary and education programmes.

The help we offer includes veterinary treatment, finding loving new homes for pets, behavioural advice, support with pet bereavement and education for future generations.

What is the role?

An opportunity has arisen for us to expand our Management Accountant team, this new role will work alongside three other Management Accountants to support the Senior Management Accountant, being responsible for efficient and accurate recording of transactions, preparation and presentation of actual and budgeted financial records and transactions and reports of management information.

You will also be responsible for the accurate and timely preparation and production of weekly and monthly reports on the financial performance, cashflow position and forecasting, and investigating variances/correcting errors where necessary for dedicated departmental activities.

Supporting the Senior Management Accountant in the preparation and production of interim accounts and the year-end financial statements for the Group, together with disclosure notes and liaise with external auditors.

Working with the Financial Business Partner in developing business models for services and fundraising activities and contribute to the development of management information provided internally and externally. Ensuring that financial records are maintained in line with the Group’s Financial Regulations and Standing Orders and comply with current legislation.

Finally ensuring that all work is in line with policies and procedures and ensuring that all calculations and assumptions are linked to supporting workings and appropriate source of information.

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

About you

The person will be a pro-active and innovative individual who has a recognised accounting qualification or can demonstrate equivalent ability through relevant training and experience.

You will be able to deal with a variety of complex issues and enjoy working with people at all levels within an organisation and have the skills to explain such issues using understandable terminology, steering clear of accounting jargon and be able to make a significant contribution to Blue Cross as a member of the Finance team.

The ability to think laterally about opportunities or problems and to provide reasoned advice or solutions is essential.

With a professional approach to successfully interact with other employees and external customers/suppliers you will have a strong desire to provide good internal and external customer service. The person will have a creative approach, with ability to develop and implement new ways of working, and proactive and solution oriented.

You will be a team worker as well as able to work on own initiative whilst being good at listening to and following instructions. You will have good organisational skills, be results focused and have the ability to be self-motivated, flexible with good time management to meet deadlines and prioritise.

You will have:
• Experienced part or qualified (actively studying) accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
• Strong numerical skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Computer skills: general IT skills and excellent working knowledge of Excel (including pivot tables, lookups)
• Able to communicate effectively with others, both verbally and in writing
• Demonstrate initiative in developing working practices to be more efficient and effective and to drive through continuous improvement
• Understanding of UK GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards reporting and consolidation accounting
• Understanding of the need for accurate and timely management information
• Business awareness and commercial acumen
• Demonstrated commitment to change and continuous improvement
• Ability to demonstrate, understanding and apply our Blue Cross values

Although not essential, it would also be great if you had:
• A degree from an accounting discipline
• Experience of a deadline driven environment
• Knowledge of Access Dimensions Finance System or similar
• VAT and Partial Exemption
• Experience of producing full monthly management accounts, I&E and Balance Sheet including consolidation, budgeting, forecasting and group reporting in a non-for-profit environment
• Charities SORP accounting
• Proven ability to communicate with all levels of the organisation using first class interpersonal skills

Why Blue Cross

Our people are the most important part of delivering our purpose. If it weren’t for their amazing efforts and commitment, we would not be able to make a difference that we do today. We offer a generous benefits package that includes:

• 6 weeks annual leave plus bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Holiday exchange & enhanced parental leave.
• Annual volunteer days
• Long service awards, starting from 5 years.
• Vast range of discounts across high street stores, insurance services & more

The recruitment process

The first stage of the recruitment process will consist of a competency-based interview on 18th April 2023. Successful candidates will be invited back to a second stage interview week commencing 24th April 2023 which will include a finance assessment.

To apply for this role, all candidates must complete the online application process. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive an overwhelming response.

At Blue Cross we are passionate about our commitment to diversity, inclusion and removing barriers, should you like to discuss any reasonable adjustments or changes to our recruitment process to support you to be your best then please get in touch. You can get in touch with us either via email at jobs@bluecross.org.uk, via telephone on 01993 825515 or if you would prefer a video call then we can arrange this using Microsoft Teams.
Blue Cross holds inclusion as a core organisational value. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified, experienced, and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity. We actively embrace our differences and know that it is our differences that make us unique. You are very welcome at Blue Cross, without the need to hide any part of who you are.