Management Accountant

Soil Association

Hours
35 hours per week

Length of contract
12 months

About the Organisation

Soil Association, formed in 1946, is the only UK charity that works across the spectrum of human health, the environment, and animal welfare. That’s because we cannot tackle these issues in isolation. We campaign for change, we support farming innovation, we serve healthy food in communities, we support and grow the organic market, and we protect forests. We couldn't do any of this without our supporters, partners, donors, and dedicated staff. We make a difference in the world where it’s needed the most.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role within our Finance team, providing dedicated financial support to The Soil Association Land Trust charity and contributing to the wider success of the Soil Association Group. You will be responsible for producing the Land Trust's monthly management accounts and annual statutory accounts, while acting as a trusted finance business partner to the senior leadership team. Through insightful financial reporting and analysis, you will help inform decision-making and support the charity in delivering its strategic objectives.

To provide dedicated Finance support to The Soil Association Land Trust charity, producing their monthly Management Accounts and annual statutory accounts, and business partner with the senior team. To provide business partnering support to the Group teams (Group CEO and Group Resources), calculate the budgeted Group recharge to subsidiary companies and perform the annual reconciliation of actuals to budget. To contribute to the Group Management Accounts and annual Group report and accounts as directed by the Group Finance Manager (Reporting & Analysis) with the ability to provide cover in periods of absence. To provide business partnering and ad hoc reporting and analysis to allocated Soil Association charity budget holders.

Responsibilities

Soil Association Land Trust Financial Support:

• Providing finance services to the Soil Association Land Trust, which will involve:
  • Producing the Land Trust’s monthly Management Accounts
  • Providing business partnering support to the senior
  • Land Trust team and reporting to Trustees
  • Supporting with grant claims and monitoring and forecasting expenditure on restricted programmes

Business Partnering:

• Acting as Finance Business Partner to the Group teams, made up of Group CEO and Group Resources (Group Resources Director, Finance, IT, People and Facilities teams ) plus some allocated Charity teams, supporting with understanding of their Management Accounts, forecasting and budgeting.
• Calculating the annual Group recharge budget and reporting variances every quarter, ahead of a year-end reconciliation of actuals vs. budget

Monthly Group Management Accounts:

• Completing regular tasks as part of the monthly Group
• Management Accounts, including:
  • posting journal entries
  • reconciling balance sheet accounts
  • investigating variances to budget
  • updating regular reports to accompany the accounts
• Able to cover production of the Group Management
• Accounts in the Group Finance Manager’s absence.

Group Year End and Audit:

• Creating the year-end accounts for the Soil Association Land Trust
• Acting as the main contact for The Soil Association Land
• Trust year-end audit plus supporting with the Group year-end audit process, providing information and answering audit queries as required.
• Producing some of the standalone notes to the Group accounts as directed by the Group Finance Manager (Reporting & Analysis).

Office of National Statistics Reporting:

• Completing all Office of National Statistics returns by the given deadlines.

Other Tasks:

• Other ad hoc tasks as might be required, including deputising for the Group Finance Manager (Reporting & Analysis) in their absence and covering tasks for other team members in periods of planned or unplanned absence.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Knowledge & Experience Essential:

• Extensive accounting knowledge
• Extensive experience of using mainstream accounting software
• Extensive experience of year - end and of the annual external audit process.
• Extensive experience of working with non-finance colleagues to support them with their decision-making.
• Substantial IT experience and a high level of Microsoft Excel skills.

Personal Qualities & Skills:

• Enthusiastic and flexible, a good team player.
• Organised with a focus on deadlines.
• Good attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise workload.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Good relationship builder, confident to provide a constructive level of challenge.
• Proactive in seeking feedback and asking for support when required.
• Keen to continually improve the quality of reporting produced and identify more efficient ways of working.

Desirable:

• Extensive experience of Charity accounting and working with Charity SORP.
• Extensive VAT knowledge, in particular relating to Charities.

Required Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA) or equivalent experience.

Compensation & Benefits

• 27 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days with length of service , plus bank holidays (pro rata for part-time)  
• Pension scheme with ethical investment options and employer contribution increasing with length of service  
• Free membership of the Soil Association and discounts on organic produce  
• Volunteer days to give back to the local community or support green initiatives  
• Family-friendly policies and flexible working   
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Probationary period: 6 months
• Notice period: 2 months
• Sociable and engaging workplace of professionals that share a passion for a healthy, sustainable lifestyle and produce  

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the Bristol office and remotely

How to apply

• Please apply to our website and submit your  CV and Cover Letter. Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early.  
• For any queries, please contact [email protected]

Interviews

• Please check your junk/spam folder if you do not receive a confirmation email upon submitting your application. All candidates will subsequently receive an email to confirm whether they have made it through to the interview stage.   

Policies

The Soil Association and FFL are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults that we work with. In accordance with this commitment, we ensure that we follow a thorough and safe recruitment and selection process for all roles that work with children. This includes checking against the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) where appropriate. Please note that if you are successful in your application to the role, any offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory DBS check. We know the value of diversity in nature and want it in our organisation. We recognise that diverse backgrounds and experiences will bring a fresh perspective to our work. If you're not sure about applying, please get in touch with us for a chat.

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