Management Accountant

Management Accountant

Location: Swindon
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent

About Happy Days

Happy Days is growing, and we're opening a second support hub in Swindon. This new location will help us support our nurseries and early years teams as we continue to expand.

We're looking for a detail-focused Management Accountant to join our growing finance team.

The Role

Reporting to the Senior Management Accountant, you'll play a key role in producing accurate monthly management accounts and cost reporting across our portfolio of nurseries. This is a hands-on role where you'll gather, validate and analyse financial data, helping operational leaders understand performance and make informed decisions.

You'll work closely with Early Years Managers, Finance Officers and the wider finance team, building strong relationships and developing your management accounting and cost accounting skills in a supportive environment.

This role is ideal for an accountant looking to take the next step in their career and gain exposure to multi-site financial reporting within a growing organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Prepare monthly management accounts for nursery sites
• Produce site profit and loss reports and cost centre reporting
• Analyse financial performance against budgets and previous periods
• Investigate and explain cost and revenue variances
• Monitor and analyse staffing costs, payroll data and FTE reporting
• Reconcile costs and ensure accurate cost centre allocation
• Support the month-end process and management reporting cycle
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting and reforecasting activities
• Respond to financial queries from Early Years Managers
• Support new site integrations and finance improvement projects
• Maintain accurate records, reconciliations and audit trails
• Supporting the integration of newly acquired nursery settings into our reporting processes.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines strong accounting knowledge with commercial awareness and a desire to improve the way we work.

You ll:

• Be AAT Level 3 qualified (or equivalent), with AAT Level 4, ACCA or CIMA studies planned/underway/willing to complete.
• At least 2 years' experience in an accounting, finance or management accounting role in a multi-site business would be an advantage!
• Strong Excel skills, including formulas and pivot tables
• Experience preparing financial reports, reconciliations and variance analysis that might also include payroll or staffing cost analysis
• Confident working with financial systems and large datasets
• Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain financial information clearly
• A proactive, collaborative approach and desire to learn

What We Offer

We're proud to offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where people can develop and thrive.

Flexible Working

Once our new hub is established (typically after around six months), you'll be able to work in a hybrid way, with around three days in the office and two days from home.

Learning and Development

• Ongoing professional development.
• Support with accounting CPD requirements.
• Opportunities to grow your career.

Health and Wellbeing

• Mental health and wellbeing support.
• Generous annual leave from day one.

Financial Benefits

• People's Pension.
• Life assurance.

Ready to Apply?

If you're an ambitious finance professional who enjoys working with data, solving problems and helping operational teams succeed, we'd love to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a short cover letter explaining why you're interested in the role.

Inclusion and Safeguarding

Happy Days is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Happy Days Nurseries is committed to safeguarding children. All offers of employment are subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including verification of your right to work in the UK.