Management Accountant

The Good Shepherd Trust, Guildford, GU1 1JY

28 days remaining to apply

• Closing date

  27 April 2026 at 12:59am

• Date listed

  30 March 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Administration, HR, data and finance
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full-time equivalent salary: £46,770.00 - £51,705.00 Annually (FTE)

Management Accountant job summary

Job Title: Management Accountant

Location: Central Trust Office,Guildford. This is an office based role, with travel to schools within the Trust as needed.

Grade /Salary: GST Grade I (£46,770 - £51,705 FTE) (6 scale points within banding for progression)

Hours / Working Pattern: 36 hours, All Year Round - part time hours and job share would be considered

Contract Type: Permanent

Reporting to: Financial Controller

Responsible for: no direct reports

It is an exciting time to join the Good Shepherd Trust, with growth bringing structural changes, and a Finance team who are keen to streamline processes, improve controls, and bring efficiencies across all aspects of MAT finance. Part of the strategy includes expanding the team, adding capacity in Management Accounting, which is why we are now looking for two Management Accountants to join the team.

This is a true business‑partnering role, working closely with Headteachers and School Business Managers to support financial decision‑making, challenge assumptions, and improve financial sustainability across the Trust. You will have responsibility for timely and accurate Management Accounts production for the Trustees. You will be an excellent communicator, and confident in explaining financial information to non-finance staff. To be successful in this post you will have an inquisitive nature, willing to persevere to get to the bottom of a problem and find a resolution.

You will be a qualified accountant (or nearly/qualified by experience) with broad experience of accounting packages (we transitioned to Xero for Education (XFE) in April 2026), excellent Excel, strong IT skills, and experience of adopting new systems/platforms. Experience of working within a MAT environment would be beneficial but not crucial. More important is the ability to effectively manage your time on multiple tasks whilst achieving deadlines; willingness to learn and understand the multi-faceted pressures of the school environment; strong communication skills (both internal and external); attention to detail; and a positive outlook.

There is an opportunity for the right candidate to influence outcomes and enact real improvements in forthcoming projects within the department.

Key Tasks and responsibilities

You will provide professional capacity to the Finance Team and support our Academies in a varied and wide-ranging role, ensuring effective financial management and reporting to our Trust Board. You will provide support in the resolution of financial issues to ensure the best outcomes for our pupils.

Preparation of monthly management accounts, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flows, and commentary for key stakeholders, posting standard journals (accruals/prepayments/deferred income/accrued income), reforecasting outturn against budget as necessary.

Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders to support effective financial discussions

Reconcile control accounts regularly and remedy any discrepancies in a timely manner

Assist with preparation and submission of VAT Returns to HMRC

Assist with preparation and submission of other statutory reports and returns as required

Ensure payroll costs are accurately recorded in the finance system, including cross‑school recharges, working closely with the payroll provider and HR colleagues

Review and approve BACS payments in line with delegated authorities

Carry out bank reconciliations within the finance system

Support both internal and external audit processes

Ensure that Trust’s financial procedures are followed, and consistently applied for both the delegated School budget and the unofficial fund accounts.

Continuous improvement of finance processes and controls

Carry out projects or other cross-Trust initiatives or functions as required

Person Specification (D - Desirable, E - Essential)

Qualifications / Experience

Part Qualified CCAB e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIPFA or CIMA, or Qualified by Experience (E)

Experience of working in the education sector (D)

Knowledge & Skills

Works accurately possessing great attention to detail (E)

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate financial and contractual information to both technical and non-technical audiences (E)

Ability to manage a complex set of priorities and tasks accordingly (E)

Able to adapt to new software systems and requirements (E)

Advanced Excel skills and experience of financial systems such as Xero for Education and IMP Planner (D)

Personal Attributes

Able to seek out information, advice and guidance when required (E)

High-level interpersonal skills, sense of humour, and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders (E)

Able to operate to the highest standards of personal/professional conduct and integrity (E)

Excellent problem-solving skills - ability to work through complex scenarios and provide a range of solutions (E)

The ability to remain calm under pressure and meet deadlines (E)

A willingness, where necessary, to support/coach colleagues (E)

Flexible in terms of working hours and duties (E)

A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people (E)

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

The Good Shepherd Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We ensure that all our employment practices reflect this commitment. All appointments are made subject to an enhanced DBS clearance (Disclosure and Barring Service), satisfactory references and qualification checks.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About The Good Shepherd Trust

• Type: Multi-academy trust
• Website: The Good Shepherd Trust website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/the-good-shepherd-trust

Welcome from the CEO - Paul Kennedy
A very warm welcome to the Good Shepherd Trust (GST) and thank you for taking the time to visit our website. I joined the GST as CEO in February 2020 having spent over twenty-five years in education as a teacher, leader, headteacher and trust CEO. This is an exciting time for the GST as we further develop and strengthen our network of schools.

The GST is a multi-academy trust serving 18 schools within the Diocese of Guildford across Surrey and Hampshire. Our trust comprises both primary and secondary schools, schools affiliated to the Church of England and others who are not. Our purpose is to grow and maintain a strong network of schools within a highly supportive and sharing network: we know that schools are better when they work together sharing common values and goals. Opportunities for staff development are a key priority for us - as a member of support staff, as a teacher, as a head teacher or as a local committee member you will have access to wide and varied professional development.

But at the heart of what we do are the children and young people within our schools. GST schools are first and foremost highly inclusive settings where we strive to see each child flourish and grow, transforming lives and offering breadth and richness in each school’s individual curriculum. We also seek to fulfil the Church of England’s vision for education providing schools for the entire community we serve, for people of all faiths and none.

Our mission is drawn from the words of Jesus in John’s Gospel – ‘I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.’ It is in this context that Jesus reveals to us the wonderful image of himself, The Good Shepherd who shows us how to live, to love and serve others whilst we experience the richness of life in its fullness.

Whether you are a parent, teacher, leader or prospective member of a local committee or a Trustee, please get in touch if you would like to know more about the GST.

With best wishes,

Paul Kennedy

Chief Executive Officer

Head office location

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