Happy Days Nurseries & Pre-Schools
Management Accountant
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Management Accountant
Location: Swindon
Salary: £45,000
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
About Happy Days
Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.
We're looking for a detail-focused Management Accountant to join our growing finance team.
The Role
Reporting to the Senior Management Accountant, you'll play a key role in producing accurate monthly management accounts and cost reporting across our portfolio of nurseries. This is a hands-on role where you'll gather, validate, and analyse financial data, helping operational leaders understand performance and make informed decisions.
You'll work closely with Early Years Managers, Finance Officers, and the wider finance team, building strong relationships and developing your management accounting and cost accounting skills in a supportive environment.
This role is ideal for an accountant looking to take the next step in their career and gain exposure to multi-site financial reporting within a growing organisation.
What You'll Be Doing
- Prepare monthly management accounts for nursery sites
- Produce site profit and loss reports and cost centre reporting
- Analyse financial performance against budgets and previous periods
- Investigate and explain cost and revenue variances
- Monitor and analyse staffing costs, payroll data, and FTE reporting
- Reconcile costs and ensure accurate cost centre allocation
- Support the month-end process and management reporting cycle
- Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and reforecasting activities
- Respond to financial queries from Early Years Managers
- Support new site integrations and finance improvement projects
- Maintain accurate records, reconciliations, and audit trails
- Support the integration of newly acquired nursery settings into our reporting processes.
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What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who combines strong accounting knowledge with commercial awareness and a desire to improve the way we work.
You’ll:
- Be AAT Level 3 qualified (or equivalent), with AAT Level 4, ACCA, or CIMA studies planned/underway/willing to complete.
- Have at least 2 years' experience in an accounting, finance, or management accounting role – in a multi-site business would be an advantage!
- Have strong Excel skills, including formulas and pivot tables
- Have experience preparing financial reports, reconciliations, and variance analysis that might also include payroll or staffing cost analysis
- Be confident working with financial systems and large datasets
- Have excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
- Have strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial information clearly
- Have a proactive, collaborative approach and desire to learn
What We Offer
We're proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive.
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Flexible Working
Once our new hub is established (typically after around six months), you'll be able to work in a hybrid way, with around three days in the office and two days from home.
Learning and Development
- Ongoing professional development.
- Support with accounting CPD requirements.
- Opportunities to grow your career.
Health and Wellbeing
- Mental health and wellbeing support.
- Generous annual leave from day one.
Financial Benefits
- People's Pension.
- Life assurance.
Ready to Apply?
If you're an ambitious finance professional who enjoys working with data, solving problems, and helping operational teams succeed, we'd love to hear from you.
Please submit your application on the link below:
https://happydayssw.ciphr-irecruit.com/applicants/vacancy/1890/Management-Accountant
Closing Date: 31st August
Interview Dates:
- First Stage: 1st September to 4th September
- Second Stage: 7th September to 11th September
Inclusion and Safeguarding
Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children. All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.
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