Job Description
Management Accountant - Civil Service/Public Sector | Hybrid Working\n\nLocation: Milton Keynes (Hybrid)\n\nSalary: £35,824 - £40,205\n\n+ £1,750 location allowance\n\n+ Up to £3,000 dependent on professional qualifications\n\nContract Type: Permanent, Full-Time\n\nSecurity Clearance: Subject to SC (Security Check) clearance\n\nMake Your Mark Where It Matters\n\nJoin a secure government organisation with a global footprint. You'll apply your financial skills in an operational environment where finance underpins everything-from infrastructure and technology to strategic transformation projects. You'll contribute to public value by helping teams deliver smarter, more efficient, and more transparent outcomes.\n\nWhether you're part-qualified or newly qualified (CIMA, ACCA or equivalent), this is an excellent opportunity to take ownership in a dynamic environment and gain exposure to project work, forecasting, and monthly reporting cycles-all while developing under experienced finance leadership.\n\nWhat You'll Be Doing\n\nThis is a broad and engaging Management Accounting role, split 50/50 between general and project accounting responsibilities.
You will:\n\n* Prepare and present monthly MI reports and ad-hoc analysis to support operational decision-making\n\n* Ensure labour costs are recovered accurately across corporate functions, and adapt charging models as needed\n\n* Review compliance controls monthly and recommend corrective actions where required\n\n* Build and support business cases for Opex and Capex proposals\n\n* Track financial benefits against plans and provide ongoing reporting for corporate planning\n\n* Assist with financial forecasting and budgeting, including project revenue stream analysis from internal CRM and PM tools\n\n* Liaise directly with Project and Business Managers on new initiatives and monthly cycles\n\nWho We're Looking For\n\nThis role is well-suited to part-qualified or recently qualified accountants who are looking to build experience in both operational and project finance. Prior project accounting exposure is helpful but not essential-full training and support will be provided.\n\n* CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent - either part-qualified, newly qualified, or with up to 2 years' PQE\n\n* Experience in management accounting\n\n* Confidence in Excel and financial modelling (Power BI desirable)\n\n* Familiarity with Oracle Cloud, ERP systems, Salesforce, and/or MS Project tools\n\n* Strong analytical, reporting, and data manipulation skills\n\n* An understanding of working with public money and NAO frameworks (training is provided)\n\n* A willingness to learn in a secure, complex environment where not all project data is visible due to confidentiality\n\nThis is not a business partnering role, but you'll gain regular exposure to stakeholders and project teams, giving you the chance to develop your influencing skills and commercial awareness.\n\nA Typical Monthly Cycle\n\n* Week 1: Month-end journal preparation and account closure\n\n* Week 2: MI reporting and analysis\n\n* Weeks 3-4: Budget tracking, forecasting and planning for the next cycle\n\nYou'll need to pick up the month-end process within your first 3-6 months. Strong time management and attention to detail are essential to meet tight reporting deadlines (5-day window).\n\nCareer Development & Support\n\n* Study support (funding and leave) is available after probation via an internal accreditation scheme\n\n* Annual subscriptions to professional bodies are reimbursed\n\n* Induction and training provided for public sector standards and financial governance frameworks\n\n* Future opportunities to progress into Finance Business Partnering or other roles within a 16-person operational finance team\n\nBenefits at a Glance\n\nTotal Reward Package worth up to 37% above base salary includes:\n\n* 25-30 days annual leave (plus 9 public/privilege holidays)\n\n* Defined benefit Civil Service Pension (26.6%-30.3% employer contribution)\n\n* Performance-related bonus (£700-£3,150) + corporate bonus (e.g., £950 in 2023)\n\n* Study leave (after probation) and paid exam support\n\n* Interest-free season ticket and cycle-to-work loans\n\n* On-site gym, nursery, staff restaurant and café\n\n* Flexible hybrid working - typically 60% on-site (more during induction)\n\n* Enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave\n\n* Special leave options for compassionate, adoption, marriage, and study reasons\n\n* Leave trading (buy or sell up to 10 days annually)\n\n* Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme and staff discount scheme (MyLifestyle)\n\nSecurity Clearance & Eligibility\n\nThis role is reserved for British citizens only and requires SC security clearance.\n\nCandidates must have lived in the UK for 5 of the last 10 years (with at least 12 consecutive months in the UK unless covered by government service abroad).
Clearance typically takes 6 weeks but may vary. If you already hold valid SC clearance, it may be transferred.\n\nPlease send your CV, quoting reference LX (phone number removed)