Job Description

Looking for a finance role where your work genuinely makes a difference?

If you're a fully qualified accountant ready to take ownership and add real value while helping children across London get the best start in life this could be just the role for you.


At the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF), we're more than just a nursery group. We're a charitable social enterprise with 40+ nurseries supporting over 4,000 children. As London's top-rated nursery provider, we combine educational excellence with social impact and finance plays a vital role in helping us do both well.


We're looking for a confident, proactive Senior Finance Accountant to join our friendly 20-person finance team while our brilliant colleague heads off on maternity leave. You'll help run core financial processes across our organisation from managing fixed assets and sales ledgers to owning month-end systems and ensure we remain financially strong so our nurseries can focus on what they do best: nurturing the next generation.


"We're a friendly, fast-paced team. It's not just about crunching numbers - there's real opportunity to learn, grow and make a difference." Chloe Johnston, Financial Controller

What you'll be doing:

Own key month-end entries, reconciliations and reporting - including for high-value areas like fixed assets Lead on sales ledger activities, ensuring timely allocations and debt follow-up Prepare grant income reconciliations and statutory returns, including VAT Work closely with colleagues across finance, payroll, audit, banks, and insurers Be a key player in our year-end audit and support production of annual accounts Help review journals and reconciliations prepared by others and provide guidance where needed Spot opportunities to improve, automate or streamline finance processes - and help put them into action Support a culture of continuous improvement in our financial planning and analysis

We're looking for someone who is:

Fully qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) Experienced in technical accounting - ideally from a practice or charity/not-for-profit background Strong in Excel, confident across different finance systems, and happy to learn new ones Curious, quick to spot patterns or issues, and great at digging into detail Calm under pressure, highly organised, and keen to take ownership A collaborative team player who's happy to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in Motivated by purpose, and excited to use their skills to help drive meaningful change

We're Looking for you to...

Be a fully qualified accountant (ACA/CIMA/ACCA or equivalent) Have experience in technical accounting - ideally from a practice or charity/not-for-profit Be strong in Excel, confident across different finance systems, and happy to learn new ones Be curious, quick to spot patterns or issues, and great at digging into detail Be calm under pressure, highly organised, and keen to take ownership Be a team player who's happy to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in Be motivated by purpose, and excited to use their skills to help drive meaningful change

Why You'll Love It Here

Make an impact: Everything you do helps us give more children a better start Join a small but mighty finance team where there are lots of opportunities to learn and make impact Real flexibility: Hybrid working and a warm, family-friendly culture Save on childcare: 70% nursery discount for your children or grandchildren Recharge properly: 26 days' holiday (including Christmas closure), plus your birthday off, and bank holidays Good benefits: 7% employer pension, wellbeing support, discounts, and team events.

We know diverse teams build stronger organisations - and we welcome you just as you are.


If you're a proactive accountant who wants your work to matter we'd love to hear from you! Please click Apply (where you can tell us why this role excites you. We're reviewing applications as they come in - so don't wait too long!


The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country.