Sharp Consultancy Supports Yorkshire Children’s Charity’s annual schools day out at Cannon Hall Farm.

On Wednesday, September 11th, half of our staff from both the Sheffield and Leeds offices volunteered to support Yorkshire Children’s Charity. Each year, this charity provides hundreds of children from schools across Yorkshire with the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic day out at Cannon Hall Farm, and they rely on many volunteers to make this happen.This year, over 600 children who might otherwise not be able to enjoy a day trip like this, partook in what turned out to be a brilliant day. Yorkshire Children’s Charity is very close to our hearts here at Sharp Consultancy as not only is it focused on the county we call home, the charity helps children who for a variety of reasons, are in a position of disadvantage. For many of these children, this was their first visit to a farm and possibly their first experience outside their local area. Apart from a brief deluge for 10 minutes at the start of the day and a light shower at the end the day, the rain mostly stayed away. The team from Sharp Consultancy, along with many other volunteers helped get the packed lunches delivered, drinks poured, biscuits distributed and joined the teachers showing the children around the farm – from reptile houses to the pig pens (much holding of noses and retching noises!), tractor rides to see Llama’s and reindeer, sheep racing, ferret racing, meerkats and mongoose. It was a day like no other.No matter how old you are, if you think back really hard, you can probably just about remember the first time you saw a snake or huge monitor lizard in a zoo; or goggled at the size of a shire horse and the amazement you felt – multiply this by 608 children and you might just have some idea how special the day was. And don’t children ask the best questions. I have never been asked so many questions I didn’t know the answer to – ‘Why do snakes put their heads in that position?’ Why are some leaf cutter ants carrying leaves to their nest and some carrying them away from their nest?’ Why is that cow laying down and that one stood up?’ my answer – ‘it must be tired’ – there response ‘what’s it been doing to get tired?’ Or my favourite ‘What can run faster, a meerkat or a ferret?’. The team here at Sharp Consultancy had an amazing day (I think if enjoyment could be measured, we’d have given the children a run for their money!) It was a humbling and enlightening experience and on occasions, very emotional (my word, you really appreciate just exactly how lucky you are and have been). Most of all though it was a delight to meet 608 amazing young people, dozens of teachers and assistants (you really are heroes, and nothing will make me change my mind on that) and all our fellow volunteers and charity employees Annabel and Abbie – join the teachers in our collective hero worship. A day to remember…forever.

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Job description

Are you an experienced Management Accountant looking for a new challenge in a fast-growing and dynamic service business?

Do you want to join a friendly and supportive finance team that offers excellent development opportunities and exposure to commercial aspects of finance?

If so, you might be interested in this exciting role based in Leeds, working for a private equity backed company that is seeing huge growth year on year.

As a Management Accountant, you will be responsible for preparing monthly management accounts, budgets and forecasts, variance analysis, KPI reporting, and supporting the Finance Manager with ad hoc projects. You will also have the opportunity to work closely with other departments and senior stakeholders, providing financial insight and analysis to support strategic decision making.

Produce accurate and timely monthly Management Accounts for various stakeholders across the Group, providing supplementary supporting analysis on any variances to budget/forecast and ensuring key stakeholders are effectively supported in their business decisions.
Conduct detailed reviews of balances as a control to ensure the delivery of accurate monthly accounts.
Strong understanding of the key drivers of margins and costs.
Investigate and explain major variances to budget, forecast and last year and present findings to the Managing Director as well as Group Senior Finance partners.
Support the external audit and year-end reporting cycle.
Deliver a comprehensive set of balance sheet recs within strict deadlines.
Produce lead schedules to support balances for the more complex balance sheet areas, and support junior team members in completing reconciliations.
Understand what balance represent and effectively explain schedules, producing and providing supporting documentation where appropriate.
Prepare robust budgets and forecasts in line with Company and Group requirements.
Provide early warning on risks or opportunities to achievement of budgets and forecasts.
Effectively explain movements on prior forecasts and provide supporting documentation for inputs wherever needed.
Support function leads across the business in budgeting and managing their own cost centres.
Support in the weekly trading reporting of commercial performance across the business.
Support the Managing Director on all budgeting and forecasting plans and in developing strategic plans.
Own and lead the ongoing cash flow management for the Company.
Responsible for cash control, including forecasting operational cash flow movements.
Accurate and timely reporting on actuals vs forecast.
Work with colleagues at a Group level to feed into all Group reporting requirements.
Prioritise and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Operate as a business partner for with Company within Group functions.
Strive to implement Group-wide best practice as applicable to the Company.
Drive continuous improvement of all existing processes across the Company.
Own key controls for profit protection, from cost management through to stock, and work closely with functional leads to ensure profit protection at all times.
Communicate in appropriate formats with financial and non-financial colleagues across the Group and at all levels.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a Management Accountant who wants to progress their career in a fast-paced and rewarding environment. You will benefit from a competitive salary and benefits package, as well as a culture that values collaboration, innovation and excellence.

To be considered for this role, you must be qualified to ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent. With previous experience in a similar role within a manufacturing or related sector. You must also have strong Excel skills, excellent communication skills, and a proactive and positive attitude.

If you are interested in this role, please apply now or contact Sharp Consultancy for more information.

Sharp Consultancy is a finance and accountancy recruitment specialist assisting accounting and finance divisions of businesses in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire area. With over 30 years’ experience we pride ourselves on sourcing excellent finance professionals across all divisions of an accounts function, from finance administrators through to senior Finance Director appointments. Please visit our website for more information on accountancy jobs or accountancy recruitment; finance jobs or finance recruitment.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction. To apply please send your CV to the e-mail address stated, quoting our reference and specifying which website you saw this position advertised on. Due to the high volume of applications we receive it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore if we have not responded to your application within seven days please note that on this occasion your application has not been successful.