Assistant Management Accountant

POST TITLE: Assistant Management Accountant

RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Finance

LIAISON WITH: Finance Assistant/CEO/Group Financial Director

 

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. JOB PURPOSE

To support the Finance Team in delivering accurate, timely financial information to enable effective decision-making across Prosperity Children’s Services and Branches Education Group. The role will contribute to financial control, budget monitoring, and performance reporting across multiple residential children’s homes and special educational needs schools, ensuring compliance with regulatory and safeguarding expectations.

2. FINANCIAL REPORTING AND MONTH END

Financial Reporting & Month-End

• Assist in the preparation of monthly management accounts for all residential homes, schools and central functions, supported by Head of Finance
• Support month-end processes including accruals, prepayments, and journal postings
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts and resolve discrepancies promptly
• Produce variance analysis against budgets and forecasts

3. BUDGETING AND FORECASTING

• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets for homes, schools, and head office supported by Head of Finance
• Support reforecasting processes in line with occupancy levels and staffing models, supported by Head of Finance

4. COST CONTROL AND ANALYSIS

• Analyse staffing and other costs with flexed budget comparison
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities to improve financial performance

5. OPERATIONAL FINANCE SUPPORT

• Support budget holders in understanding financial performance
• Field questions from key stakeholders regarding financial performance
• Assist with occupancy tracking and income reconciliation
• Provide financial data to support Ofsted inspections where required

6. COMPLIANCE AND GOVERANANCE

• Ensure adherence to internal financial controls and procedures
• Support audits (internal and external) and regulatory reporting requirements
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial, staff, and young people’s information
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding principles in handling financial data

7. TRANSACTIONAL OVERSIGHT

• Support purchase ledger and sales ledger processes where required
• Monitor invoice coding accuracy across multiple cost centres
• Assist with payroll reconciliations

8. SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES IMPROVEMENT

• Maintain and improve finance systems and reporting tools
• Support implementation of new systems and robust, future-proof processes as the organisation grows
• Contribute to continuous improvement in reporting efficiency and accuracy

9. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Month-end close completed within agreed timeframe
• Accuracy of management accounts and minimal post-close adjustments
• Budget variance reports produced on-time
• Reduction in unallocated or mis-coded costs
• Timely and accurate balance sheet reconciliations
• Improved visibility of staffing cost drivers and agency usage
• Positive feedback from operational managers on financial support
• Contribution to audit readiness and minimal audit findings

 

SAFEGUARDING

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure check.

Prosperity Children’s Services is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of the selection process we will undertake checks to ensure that you do not pose of risk of harm to children and young people.

The post-holder will be expected to contribute to safeguarding children and young people and promoting their welfare of children in accordance with the agreed Child Protection Policy for the setting. Any issues or concerns are reported to their Designated Safeguarding Lead or any Deputy Safeguarding Lead. In the Children’s homes, where the Designated Safeguarding Lead or the deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead is not available, and then it would be reported to the senior on duty.

 

REVIEW

This job description will be reviewed at least once per year and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of procedures and tasks but sets out the main expectations of the establishment in relation to the post holder’s professional responsibilities, duties and grading.