Management Accountant

Background

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is the statutory regulator for the veterinary profession in the UK, thanks to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, and has a range of additional roles that are supported by our Royal Charter, including regulation of the veterinary nursing profession.

As a regulator, we set, uphold and advance veterinary standards. As a Royal College, we promote, encourage and advance the study and practice of the art and science of veterinary surgery and medicine. We do all these things in the interests of animal health and welfare, and in the wider public interest.

We strive to behave with clarity, courage, compassion and confidence, and our vision is to be recognised as a trusted, compassionate and proactive regulator, and a supportive and ambitious Royal College, underpinning confident veterinary professions of which the UK can be rightly proud.

This role at the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) is a key role within the finance team and will help to guide the Senior Team through the provision and ownership of insightful management information.

Job Purpose

Preparing monthly management accounts and quarterly VAT returns for RCVS (the professional membership organisation or College ) in accordance with relevant RCVS policies and UK legislation including UK GAAP and the Charities SORP.

Key Responsibilities

• To prepare accurate monthly cost centre and college wide management accounts for RCVS to an agreed timetable for varying audiences, including variance analysis, with appropriate relevant commentary.
• To review and discuss the cost centre management accounts with the Heads of Department throughout the year and to enhance reporting and understanding
• To prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations and review them working with the Transactional Finance Lead.
• To work with the Head of Finance (HoF) preparing budgets, forecasts, financial monitoring and commentary
• To manage departmental cost allocations
• To maintain the chart of accounts and data integrity of the accounting system including deleting and archiving historic financial data as appropriate
• Provide support to the wider finance team
• Liaise with the Transactional Finance Lead in the monitoring of the monthly finance timetable and progression of tasks whilst raising any concerns with the HoF
• Complete and submit quarterly VAT returns (following HoF review) for RCVS in accordance with relevant RCVS policies and UK legislation.
• To support the preparation of the annual financial accounts and supporting workings, analysis and statements and to liaise as appropriate, with the auditors.
• To act as the Finance Risk Champion and to maintain the finance risk register
• To maintain the finance contract register
• To support an approach of continuous improvement to finance systems and processes.
• Monitor the application of the financial controls and to flag any compliance issues or risks
• To provide ad hoc support to the payroll function in the event of team member absence, to ensure continuity of critical payroll operations

Qualifications

• Educated to Degree level
• Finalist or fully qualified with a recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA)

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Strong background in management accounts
• Previous experience of preparing VAT returns and an understanding of partial-VAT claims.
• Previous experience of preparing financial statements under the Charities SORP
• Knowledge of SAGE200 Professional accountancy software (desired)
• Previous experience of working within the Not-for-Profit Sector
• Previous experience of working within a Regulator, Royal College or Professional Membership body (desirable)
• To demonstrate confidence and clarity when engaging with colleagues across the organisation
• Intermediate excel skills
• Inquisitive with excellent attention to detail
• Solid analytical and decision-making skills