A public sector organisation based in Oxford is seeking a Management Accountant who enjoys working collaboratively, supporting service managers, and contributing to strong financial governance.
You will provide high‑quality, proactive financial support to service areas, helping managers understand and manage their budgets effectively while ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
The role offers a hybrid working arrangement, with most time spent working from home. Attendance in Oxford will be required for team meetings, financial services away days, and occasional in‑person meetings with budget holders. This is an initial 6-month contract role with an hourly rate up to £24.37 via an Umbrella company (PAYE option also available).
Key responsibilities
As a Management Accountant, you will:
Provide day‑to‑day financial advice, guidance and training to cost centre managers
Support budget monitoring, forecasting and variance analysis, enabling managers to take ownership of their budgets
Process journals, accruals, budget virements and work‑in‑progress entries within the Financial Management System
Work closely with Senior Management Accountants and Finance Business Partners in a matrix environment
Attend regular meetings with service managers to discuss:
Budget performance and forecasts
Capital project progress
Establishment control
Financial process issues (including Procure‑to‑Pay and contracts)
Produce robust forecasts and commentary for the monthly corporate reporting cycle, providing constructive challenge where required
Maintain and improve the coding structure, workflows and reporting capability of the Financial Management System
Design and produce financial reports for finance colleagues and service managers
Contribute to the Annual Statement of Accounts, preparing evidence‑based working papers
Support corporate reporting, including monitoring corporate accounts, reserves and inter‑company transactions
Complete government returns (e.g. RO, QRO, RA)
Contribute to process improvement and transaction automation, supporting continuous improvement across Financial Services
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for someone who is customer‑focused, organised and confident, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non‑finance colleagues.
Essential criteria
Part‑qualified accountant or AAT qualified (or equivalent)
Experience of financial planning, budget monitoring and forecasting within a large organisation
Experience of training or explaining financial information to staff at different levels
Ability to extract, analyse and interpret financial data, presenting it clearly and concisely
Strong communication skills and a proactive, positive approach to work
Ability to undertake financial modelling, evaluation and presentation of findings