Senior Management Accountant - Full Time - East Sussex

Join the Energy at Freedom Leisure – Do Good Feel Good!

At Freedom Leisure, we’re all about positive vibes, great people, and making a real impact. Yes, we run leisure and cultural facilities, gyms, and swimming pools—but at the heart of it all, it’s our people who make the difference.

As one of the UK’s leading charitable leisure trusts, we’re proud of our mission of Improving Lives Through Leisure.  We’re here to help communities live healthier, happier lives by making our centres welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to everyone - because everyone deserves to feel good.  We’re all about delivering amazing customer service with a smile—every single day. We create spaces where people feel at home, supported and inspired.

We’re proud to be a workplace where everyone is welcome, valued and supported to thrive—because when our team reflects the communities we serve, we all grow stronger together.

We’re looking for a Senior Management Accountant to head up our small team of Management Accountants. This is a key leadership role where you’ll report directly to the Head of Finance and work alongside the Group Finance Manager.

You’ll be responsible for producing accurate monthly accounts, supporting the budget and annual audit process, as well as guiding the wider finance team. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys variety, responsibility and working in a fast-paced environment.

You will:

• Lead the production of monthly management accounts
• Complete VAT returns and reconciliations
• Support the group budget preparation and annual audit
• Help develop and improve financial policies and procedures
• Provide advice and support to finance and non-finance colleagues
• Understand and manage the financial implications of our charitable status and multi-site operations

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts and variance analysis for over 160 cost centres
• Complete month-end journals and balance sheet reconciliations
• Complete quarterly VAT returns and monthly VAT reports for our agency agreements
• Assist with group budgeting and annual audit preparation
• Guide and support the finance team to meet deadlines and develop skills
• Review and improve financial procedures and documentation
• Administer our accounting software and provide support to users
• Lead the development of an internal audit function
• Build relationships with budget holders and provide training
• Support financial planning and new business opportunities

In the event that a high volume of suitable applications are received, the post may close prior to the specified closing date. Please apply as soon as possible if interested.

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday

*After successfully completing the probation period the opportunity for this role to become hybrid working will be available.

What We’re Looking For

Qualifications:

• Fully qualified accountant (ideally with 5+ years post-qualification experience)

Experience:

• Strong financial and management accounting background
• Solid VAT knowledge, especially partial exemption rules
• Experience in multi-site or cost-centre environments (charity or private sector)
• Previous team management experience
• Confident with accounting software packages and Microsoft 365, in particular Excel

Skills & Competencies:

• Financially astute with practical understanding of financial processes and issues
• Able to identify and implement improvements
• Advanced Excel skills (macros and reporting)
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Highly organised and deadline-driven
• Professional, flexible and motivated
• Integrity and a commitment to high standards

We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That's why we've developed a benefits package with you in mind, so what can we offer you?

• My Staff Shop, our very own staff benefit scheme, gives employees access to a great range of benefits. Get discounts on cinema tickets, travel bookings, high street e-vouchers, gift cards, days out, leisure activities and your day to day spending.
• Discounted Staff membership (including family members)
• Incremental holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential, independent and professional counselling.
• Company pension
• Various insurance and saving schemes
• Financial advice
• Cycle-to-work and Car Leasing tax-efficient schemes (salaried staff only)
• All this as well as fully funded training and career progression opportunities in a team working environment

Closing Date: 19th September 2025

Salary: £52,000 – £55,000 per annum