Management Accountant

Datalaw is an agile, fast growing, leading legal training and apprenticeship provider, committed to delivering high-quality training at all levels. We work with employers and learners to develop skills, drive careers forward, and support the wider skills agenda. As a growing provider, our finance function plays a central role in ensuring the sustainability and integrity of our operations.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Management Accountant to join our small Finance team. This hands-on role is central to producing accurate and timely financial information to support strategic decision-making across the business. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of the funding landscape within the apprenticeship and wider education or skills sector, and will be comfortable working in a regulated, contract-driven environment.

We are a small finance team (currently 2 people consisting of a Credit Controller / Bookkeeper and a Financial Director). This role will slot in between the two current roles and take responsibilities from both.

We are a fast-growing business, and this role has the capacity to develop as the business continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities

Day to Day

• Purchase Ledger - This role will be responsible for the processing of the low volume (100 to 200 per month) of purchase invoices, including processing of credit card expenses.
• Provide holiday cover for the Credit Controller / Bookkeeper.
• Quarterly VAT returns.
• Assist with the onboarding / offboarding process for new starters and leavers.

Management Reporting

• Assist with the production of the monthly management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow statements, with meaningful commentary and variance analysis.
• Prepare and distribute financial reports tailored to budget holders and senior leadership, supporting them to understand and manage their financial performance.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and KPI reporting to track operational and financial performance across programmes and business units.

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Assist the FD with the annual budgeting process.
• Assist the FD with production of rolling reforecasts, identifying risks and opportunities throughout the financial year.
• Model financial scenarios to support business planning and new programme bids.

Funding and Contract Management

• We currently have an in-house Data and MIS manager who is responsible for this area, however this role will involve a thorough understanding of this area and providing support and cover as required.
• Maintain a thorough working knowledge of Department for Education (DfE) funding rules and reporting requirements applicable to apprenticeship delivery.
• Reconcile funding income in line with ILR (Individualised Learner Record) data, ensuring accuracy of income recognition across the apprenticeship levy and non-levy funding streams.
• Support the preparation of DfE financial returns and any audit or assurance activity related to funding claims.
• Monitor co-investment income and employer contributions, ensuring accurate billing and cash collection.

Financial Control and Compliance

• Maintain and improve robust financial controls across the organisation, identifying and addressing weaknesses in processes or systems.
• Ensure balance sheet reconciliations are completed accurately and on time each month.
• Support the year-end accounts process, preparing working papers and liaising with external advisors.
• Assist in ensuring the organisation meets its obligations under applicable financial and governance frameworks (e.g. ESFA funding rules, charity/company law where applicable).

Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted financial partner to operational and programme teams, translating financial data into actionable insight.
• Support programme managers with cost modelling, pricing decisions, and understanding the financial implications of delivery decisions.
• Challenge costs and drive a culture of financial accountability across the organisation.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Continuously review and improve financial reporting processes, reducing manual effort and improving data quality.
• Support the development and maintenance of finance systems, ensuring data flows efficiently between operational systems (e.g. MIS/CRM) and the finance function.

Person Specification

Essential

• Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, or ACA). Minimum AAT Level 4.
• Demonstrable experience in a management accounting role.
• Highly IT literate and be comfortable using AI tools.
• Strong Excel skills, including financial modelling and data analysis.
• Experience of producing management accounts and supporting budgeting and forecasting cycles.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

Desirable

• Experience working within an Ofsted-registered or DfE-funded training provider.
• Familiarity with ILR data and the link between learner activity and income recognition.
• Experience with Xero finance system.
• Understanding of co-investment, employer contributions, and Additional Learning Support (ALS) funding.
• Experience supporting external audits in a regulated environment.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary.
• 24 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Birthday holiday.
• Medical Cash plan insurance.
• Flexible / hybrid working arrangements.
• Pension scheme with employer contributions. A salary sacrifice pension scheme is available.
• Continued professional development and support with professional qualifications.
• A values-driven organisation making a genuine difference to learners' lives.
• A team orientated welcoming culture.