Management Accountant

North East Learning Trust are seeking to appoint a skilled and highly motivated Management Accountant to join our dynamic and dedicated team at the Head Office, based in Peterlee, with some travel across the Trust’s schools.

Our ambition is to continually enhance the experiences and outcomes for every child in our care. We strive to support each school on its journey to becoming outstanding, not just in Ofsted’s view, but through exceptional performance outcomes, enriching opportunities, and the day-to-day experiences of our students and staff.

Our vision, along with all schools in the Trust, is that every child experiences excellence every day and as part of the Central NELT Team we play a key role in this.

Since our establishment in 2011, North East Learning Trust has seen consistent growth. We are now expanding our central support team to strengthen our partnerships and reach even more schools.

This role is essential in ensuring financial stability and supporting school development plans. You will collaborate closely with our Head of Finance, Head teachers and other senior managers, making a significant difference in our schools' financial health and overall success, the role is operating at both strategic and operational level. This will include:

Strategic Partnership: Act as the primary contact between school leadership teams and the central Trust team, ensuring effective communication and support for financial planning and decision-making.

Financial Reporting: Produce accurate, timely management accounting reports and KPI dashboards. Coordinate month-end close down and reconciliations to ensure financial precision.

Budget Oversight: Support schools through the annual budget-setting cycle and provide advice on long-term financial planning. Oversee procurement decisions and approvals and maintain accurate forecasts to support long term sustainability.

Resources & Planning: Develop and implement strategies for financial management, budget forecasting, capital planning and income generation. Provide actionable insights and recommendations to enhance resource utilisation, aid decision making and drive financial performance.

Compliance & Control: Ensure compliance with financial regulations, statutory reporting requirements, and internal policies. Maintain financial records, oversee asset registers, and support audits.

Your insights will be crucial in supporting decision-making, optimizing resource use, and ensuring financial stability across our portfolio of schools.

If you are passionate about improving financial performance and supporting educational excellence, we want to hear from you! Join us and be a vital part of our journey towards enhancing the educational experiences and outcomes for our students.

We are committed to:

• A vibrant learning community with enthusiastic and engaging students

• A positive and caring ethos

• An excellent learning environment and resources

• A team of hardworking, dedicated and friendly staff where everyone is valued

• A supportive and effective governing body.

We will offer you:

• Excellent working environment and ethos

• National Terms and Conditions of Employment (NJC Green Book)

• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme

• Generous 32 days holiday entitlement, plus 8 days public holidays

• One paid Wellbeing Day per year

• Free on-site car parking

• Lifestyle savings and range of discounts from top retail brands

• Discounted gym membership

• Employee Assistance Programme offering free confidential advice and counselling services for staff and their family members.

The successful candidate will:

• Recognised qualifications in a relevant discipline.

• Established experience working in a Management Accounts role.

• Experience of procurement, capital budgets and pursuing grant funding opportunities would be desirable.

• Excellent communication skills and organisational skills and be able to manage a busy workload independently.

• Highly competent in analysis and interpretation of information.

• Highly numerate with high degree of accuracy.

• Strong interpersonal skills, particularly in developing relationships with internal customers.