Management Accountant MA250114 Centre for Alternative Technology – Machynlleth SY20 9AZ About CAT The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) is an internationally renowned environmental charity, a world-leading eco centre, and one of the foremost providers of postgraduate environmental education in the UK, based near Machynlleth in Mid Wales. CAT provides inspiration, education and training in solutions to the climate and biodiversity emergency. Key activities include a visitor centre where groups can see solutions in action, residential short courses, vocational training and postgraduate degrees in a wide range of sustainability-related topics, with online courses and events offered alongside in-person learning. Job Details: Ref: MA250114 Area of Responsibility: Finance, Statutory accounts and Audit, & Management Information Responsible to: Director of Finance and Operations and/or Co-CEO Responsible for: Finance Manager & Team, including shared responsibility for Student Finance Contract type: Permanent Responsibility Grade: 7 Location: Flexible with regular visits to the CAT Eco centre near Machynlleth, Mid Wales Hours: Full-time: 37.5 hours per week. Working Days: Usually Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Occasional weekend and evening working Salary : £35,898 per annum Work remotely : See location Application deadline: 9am 13 February 2025 Interviews to be held: 21 February 2025 on site Expected start date: As soon as possible Overview of Role The role is a key part of the finance team at CAT as the organisation grows and looks to plan for the future. It reports to the Director of Finance & Operations and/or Co-CEO with line management responsibilities for the Finance Manager and finance team. Key areas of the role will include: working with the DOFO in the development of management information and reporting; production of monthly reports for the senior management team (SMT); production of reports for the Board of Trustees; forecasting and budgeting; setting targets; expanding the use and efficiency of our accounts software, including integration with other systems, preparation and submission of quarterly VAT returns and supervision of the production of our monthly payroll. The role includes line management responsibilities for the finance team and shared line management responsibilities for the student finance team. The role reports to the Director of Finance & Operations and/or the CEO, and will involve working closely with them to monitor, maintain and take forward the development of CAT’s finance systems and controls. In addition, the role includes working with the finance team to produce the annual statutory accounts, preparing for our annual audit, and liaising with the auditors over their work, ensuring that all reporting deadlines (internal & external) are met. This role is ideally suited to someone who would like to use their accountancy skills and experience as part of a dedicated team working together on solutions to the climate and biodiversity emergency. The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years’ post-qualification experience in a similar role in a charity or other not-for-profit organisation and have strong IT, oral and written communication skills. Main Responsibilities Area 1: Management Information • Line management of the finance team • Monitoring of bookkeeping and accounting systems to ensure the timely and accurate production of information • Production of monthly management reports • Assisting with production of KPIs • Assisting with the production and interpretation of variance reports • Assisting with the interpretation of financial and management information including identifying key trends • Assisting with the development and enhancement of management reports • Assisting the DOFO with the production of reports for the Board of Trustees Area 2: Systems & Controls • Ensuring that accounting systems and controls are operating efficiently and adhered to • Assisting with the development and enhancement of accounting systems and controls • Assisting with the enforcement and ongoing development of our finance regulations Area 3: Payroll • Ensuring that the monthly payroll is prepared accurately and on time • Ensuring that PAYE/NI returns and payments are made correctly and on time Area 4: VAT • Preparation of the quarterly VAT returns • Ensuring the accurate and timely submission of VAT returns • Ensuring that timely payments of any VAT due to HMRC • Dealing with ad hoc queries around VAT compliance at CAT Area 5: Forecasting • Assisting the DOFO with the periodic production and updating of financial forecasts • Assisting the DOFO with the production of commentaries on the forecasts Area 6: Budgeting & Target Setting • Production of annual budgets for the organisation and individual departments, liaising with departmental managers to ensure budgets are realistic and understood • Monitoring of budgets during the year • Reporting on variances • Reviewing the proposed use of our accounts software for recording and reporting on budgets • Setting departmental targets • Monitoring and reporting on actual figures against targets Area 7: Student Finance • Assisting in managing and controlling the aspects of the Student Finance Team roles that directly relate to CAT’s finances & accounting • Liaising with the Student Support Team and the wider Graduate School, in relation to finance matters Area 8: Other Responsibilities • Ad hoc assignments relating to financial matters • Dealing with taxation matters that may arise to ensure that CAT remains compliant with all statutory requirements • Assisting with any compliance visits such as HMRC, VAT and PAYE inspections. • Assisting the DOFO in relation to CAT’s banking arrangements. • Attending meetings across CAT to discuss finance matters and assist with planning • Other duties that might reasonably be requested relating to, but not necessarily limited to, financial and accounting matters. Application forms are required. CVs will not be accepted. Further details, including application form, can be obtained from our website Applications should be forwarded to vacancy email address by the deadline stating the job title in the Subject line. Any queries should be addressed to vacancy email address