Management Accountant – Schools Division

Location: Syston, Leicestershire (Hybrid: 3–4 days in-office per week)

Salary: £41,000 – £45,000 D.O.E. + Study Support

Department: Finance

Contract: Full-Time, Permanent

Are you a Life Changer? At Compass Community, every role contributes to better outcomes for children. Even from our finance team, the work you do directly ensures our schools have the resources, insight, and support they need to deliver outstanding care and education.

We are looking for an ambitious, commercially-minded Management Accountant to join our Schools Division. This is a newly created role and an exciting opportunity to take true ownership of the month-end process, management reporting, and financial controls within one of our key growth areas. Working closely with the Divisional Financial Controller, you will play a central role in driving operational decision-making and finance transformation.

For the right person, this role offers a clear and structured pathway towards a future Financial Controller position.

The Role: What You Will Do

Month-End Ownership: Lead the full month-end close process for the Schools Division, including preparing and posting accruals, prepayments, journals, and maintaining balance sheet reconciliations.
Reporting & Analysis: Prepare monthly management accounts, MI packs, and variance analysis. Support forecasting, budgeting, and divisional reporting requirements (e.g., pupil premium and ring-fenced funding).
Compliance & Operations: Lead quarterly VAT returns, support audits/statutory accounts preparation, and assist payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable where needed.
Leadership & Development: Line manage, mentor, and review the work of at least one junior member of the finance team, while acting as a deputy for the Financial Controller when required.
Systems & Transformation: Play an active role in finance transformation initiatives, including the optimization of Sage Intacct.

About You

You will be part-qualified or fully qualified ACA / ACCA / CIMA (or qualified by experience with equivalent technical expertise), with proven experience in a Management Accountant or similar capacity.

Key Requirements:

Proven experience owning or leading month-end processes and strong technical accounting skills.
Advanced Excel skills and confidence navigating complex finance systems.
Excellent analytical problem-solving skills and a proactive, hands-on approach.
The communication skills required to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

Desirable (But Not Essential):

Experience with Sage Intacct or a similar modern ERP system.
Background working within multi-site organizations.
Experience in education, social care, or other regulated sectors.
Prior experience in line management or coaching junior staff.

What We Offer (Benefits & Rewards)

Competitive Salary: £41,000 – £45,000 depending on experience.
Professional Growth: Comprehensive study support for part-qualified candidates alongside continuous professional development.
Work-Life Balance: Structured hybrid working setup.
Career Pathway: Clear progression opportunities within a rapidly growing, purpose-led organisation.
Culture: A highly supportive, collaborative, and mission-driven head office environment.

Safeguarding & Inclusion

The successful applicant will be appointed subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS check.

Compass is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Integrity, Courage, and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other, and fix what needs fixing, together.