Job Description

Oaklands College is looking for a Management Accountant to join our Finance team. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a central role in ensuring financial transparency, accuracy, and compliance - helping us deliver outstanding education while maintaining strong financial discipline.
As a key member of the Finance Department, you'll provide support to the Director of Finance in analysing the College's financial performance and position, issuing concise and user-friendly reports which add real value to the College as a whole. This role will play a pivotal role in ensuring the College's ongoing success and financial sustainability.
Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for production of monthly management reports for purposes of budgetary control in terms of income, pay and non-pay expenditure.
• Prepare, review and moderate the budgeting processes; working with key stakeholders forming the detailed income, pay and non-pay budgets; assisting in the preparation of related reports forming a part of the year end signoff of the budget.
• Prepare updated College forecasts during the year as required.
• Weekly cashflow reporting, tracking key income and payments.
• Support the introduction of the new Finance System.
• Support the Director of Finance in the preparation of regular reports to Corporation and Senior Leadership Team (and any other relevant bodies).
• Support the Director of Finance in providing accurate and timely submission of financial returns to external bodies and funding agencies as required; assisting and advising the Director of MIS in relation to the checking and submission of funding returns to the relevant external bodies and funding agencies as required.
• Work with MIS and Curriculum teams establishing the agreed curriculum plan outcomes that feed into budgets.
• Support all teams within the College with monthly reviews of financial performance and by using variance analysis reports to monitor actual income and expenditure against budgets and ad-hoc financial analysis reports to support decision making.
• Be available to answer ad hoc queries and support with required analysis.
• Monitor the progress of Internal Audit agreed actions, including ensuring reported progress has been made, as required.
• Undertake other duties as appropriate to the post.

Is This You?
We're looking for someone who is analytical, detail-focused, and passionate about using their financial expertise to make a difference.
You are required to bring:

• A professional accountancy qualification (CCAB)
• Evidence of working in an FE College, with evidence of detailed understanding of college income streams and costs.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office, especially Excel
• Experience of provision of management information and financial support to senior management and budget holders.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial matters clearly.
• Strong systems and IT skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

And personally, you're:

• Organised, accurate, and detail-driven.
• Calm under pressure with a problem-solving approach and ability to adapt to meet the needs of the department.
• Ability to work effectively on your own initiative with minimal supervision.
• Able to handle financial queries and give relevant and appropriate advice as part of the provision of excellent customer service.
• Confident working with people at all levels across the organisation.
• Committed to continuous professional development and living the College's values.

Why Oaklands?
At Oaklands, we know our staff are at the heart of everything we do. That's why we offer:

• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Excellent CPD and funded training opportunities.
• Free Microsoft Office for personal devices.
• Free on-site gym and wellbeing support services.
• Cycle to Work scheme & discounted travel.
• Long Service Awards & annual staff celebration events.
• A supportive, forward-thinking environment where your contributions make a real difference.

Apply Now
If you're ready to take your career to the next level - and want to be part of a team that supports learners, staff, and the wider community through strong financial stewardship - we'd love to hear from you.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so don't wait too long to apply!
Oaklands College is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults.

Skills Required