Head of Management Accounts

We’re looking for an exceptional Head of Management Accounts to lead our financial planning and analysis function and ensure our budgeting, forecasting and reporting processes deliver accuracy, insight and long-term financial sustainability. You’ll shape and develop the management accounting team while leading business partnering activity and strengthening financial understanding across the organisation. This role is a 12 month fixed term contract.

The Role

• Lead the Trust’s financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting processes, ensuring accuracy, transparency and long-term financial sustainability.
• Act as a strategic financial partner to senior leaders, providing insight, analysis and recommendations that inform strategic and operational decision-making.
• Oversee financial management across all directorates, including cash flow, reserves and investment planning, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and risk appetite.
• Support the CFO in the preparation of financial reports and presentations for trustees, funders and other external stakeholders.
• Lead the monthly management accounts, year-end process, audit activity and statutory reporting, ensuring compliance and timely delivery.
• Develop and embed a strong business partnering culture, building financial capability, confidence and accountability among budget holders and project leads.
• Drive the continuous improvement of management accounting processes, reporting and controls to enhance efficiency, consistency and data integrity.

The Candidate

We are looking for candidates who have the following:

• CCAB qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent international qualification).
• Proven experience leading management accounting and financial planning teams in a complex charity or commercial organisation.
• Significant experience developing and reviewing monthly management accounts, including reconciliations, variance analysis and forecasting.
• Excellent understanding of finance systems and data flow across diverse systems, including CRM integration.
• Demonstrable experience supporting restricted fund budgeting and monitoring, and financial partnering with fundraising or project-based teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and challenge constructively.

Benefits & Wellbeing

Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our staff, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:

• Enhanced Employer Pension
• Life Assurance
• Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
• Generous Annual Leave – 25 days + bank holidays (pro rata for part time)
• Buy and Sell Annual Leave
• Enhanced Parental Pay
• Employee Assistance Programme

About Us

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore and create our vital woods and trees.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

To achieve our vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, we need to better reflect society and the communities we work in. All people, no matter their background, identity, ability, or circumstance, should benefit from trees.

People of colour and disabled people are currently under-represented across the environment and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we particularly encourage you to apply.

Please contact us to discuss any additional support or adjustments you may need to complete your application.

Application Advice

For fairness we keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, so they do not see your CV until shortlisting is completed. (Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows how your skills and knowledge link to the specifications in the job description and you share with us your passion for the role.)

Acceptable Use Policy – Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We understand that candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their job applications-for example, to help structure or edit written responses. We welcome the use of AI in this way, particularly where it helps improve accessibility, such as for neurodivergent applicants. However, we ask that any information submitted reflects your own experience, skills and understanding. During interviews, candidates are expected to respond independently without the use of AI tools. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].

Apply Now

If you’re ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it’s a good idea to apply soon. If we do close the advert early, and you have an application in process, we will email you prior to closing to give you time to complete.

Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams.

For queries relating to this new opportunity please email [email protected].