Job Title: Financial Accountant
Job Location: Tiverton
Salary: Between £50,000 and £55,000 per annum, based on 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, plus a Company Car Allowance
Contract Type: Permanent
Join our team as a Financial Accountant and take the lead in this newly created role within our finance team. As a key leader in the department, you’ll play an integral role in shaping the success of our schools, colleges, and care homes, while directly influencing the well-being and development of the children and young adults we support.
In this role, you’ll provide crucial financial and data analysis to our Head of Finance and CFO, supporting forecasting, budgeting, and long-term financial planning. Your work will not only ensure the smooth running of the department but also drive the continued success of our organisation as a whole.
This is an exciting time to join us! As we navigate a further phase of growth and transformation, you'll have the unique opportunity to support our future-proofing initiatives. By providing financial project support, you’ll help us reinvest profits into expanding our services, opening new homes and educational provisions, and introducing innovative programs for those in our care.
If you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic finance environment, this Financial Accountant position is an ideal opportunity to make a real difference.
A day in the life of a Financial Accountant will involve:
- Supporting the Head of Finance with the Group’s financial planning, analysis, and forecasting activities.
- Assisting in managing external stakeholder reporting, including covenant compliance, shareholder reports, and investment analysis.
- Helping with month-end financial reporting and the preparation of departmental management accounts, with a focus on the education division.
- You’ll be analysing operational costs and collaborating with service units to benchmark performance and develop reporting mechanisms.
- Providing financial data analysis and reporting to the Head of Finance and CFO to support future projects and growth initiatives.
- Acting as a key lead alongside the Head of Finance in managing the annual audit process, coordinating with external auditors, overseeing internal information, and supporting the internal audit function to review and improve financial controls, processes, and procedures.
To be a successful Financial Accountant you’ll need:
- Recognised accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent), knowledge and understanding of financial systems, processes and standards. Including experience of implementing, maintaining and improving relevant systems and procedures.
- Strong financial and commercial analysis skills and experience, with a keen eye for process improvement, a curiosity of exploring ways of streamlining and cost-saving changes.
- Proactive with a hands-on mentality, willing to roll up their sleeves and actively engage with the team. Possesses excellent organisational and time management skills, along with a positive, diplomatic, and approachable attitude and creative edge.
- Strong IT skills – We’ll train you on how to use our systems, but it is essential you have a working understanding of using Microsoft packages like Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams and ideally Xero.
- Great Communication and Relationship-Building Skills: This role requires outstanding verbal and written communication abilities. You should enjoy working with people, be team-oriented, and capable of building strong relationships with all departments, managers and stakeholders.
- A full driving licence - You may need to do some travel.
In return for your time, you’ll get:
- Holidays – You’ll get 33 days annual leave, including public holidays. You’ll also get an extra day off on your birthday after a year!
- Pension scheme– Our pension scheme is based on you paying in 5%, and us adding 3%.
- Learning & Development Opportunities – We provide comprehensive learning opportunities for team members to develop themselves.
- Discounts – You’ll have access to brilliant discounts through the Blue Light Card and our own employee benefits platform.
- Wellbeing Support – Your wellbeing is always our priority. You’ll have access to mental health and wellbeing support. On top of this, our therapies team offers a monthly confidential check in clinic, and group reflective practice sessions.
- Cycle2Work -The cycle to work scheme enables you to buy a bicycle at a discounted rate.
- DBS – As this role required you to have an enhanced DBS carried out, we will cover this cost.
After 12 months service you’ll also be eligible for our Medicash scheme which covers a wide range of medical, health and wellbeing expenses (Including immediate access to a GP!). You’ll get life assurance paid at x2 your annual salary, and even more high street discounts.
Please note that as part of our safer recruitment processes, successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check, and online and social media checks, and reference validation.
At Phoenix Learning and Care, we pride ourselves on our diverse workforce, and ensuring we have an inclusive environment for all our team members. We remain committed to ensuring our teams can bring their true selves to work without risk or fear of discrimination.