Title:  Management Accounting Specialist

Finance insight that shapes performance

We’re looking for a Management Accounting Specialist to join our Finance Team in a key business‑partnering role. Reporting to the Finance Manager, you’ll take responsibility for ensuring that financial processes within your area are robust, consistent, and well controlled.

You’ll work closely with Cost Centre and Project Managers, providing clear financial insight, constructive challenge, and practical support to help managers make well‑informed decisions. Whether you’re progressing within Cadent or joining us from outside the organisation, this role offers variety, ownership, and development in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Why you'll love this role

• Trusted business partner – Work closely with Cost Centre and Project Managers, providing insight and challenge to support strong financial decisions.
• Real ownership – Take end‑to‑end responsibility for monthly reporting, budgeting, forecasting and business planning for a defined area.
• Influence performance – Turn financial data into meaningful insight that helps leaders understand performance drivers and manage outcomes.
• Variety and exposure – Gain experience across reporting, planning, governance and control activities, with visibility beyond Finance.
• Process improvement focus – Identify and deliver improvements to financial processes, controls and ways of working.
• Collaborative culture – Work with Finance colleagues and wider stakeholders to improve consistency, efficiency and best practice.
• Career development – A strong opportunity to build capability and confidence, whether stepping up internally or broadening experience externally.
• Purpose‑led impact – Contribute to Cadent’s Net Zero journey through robust financial insight and stewardship.

What You'll Bring

• Professional finance grounding – A recognised UK accounting qualification with relevant post‑qualification experience in management or business‑partnering finance.
• Commercial mindset – Strong financial and commercial acumen with the ability to understand operational context and performance drivers.
• Clear communication – Confidence explaining financial results, risks and issues to non‑finance stakeholders in a clear and practical way.
• Stakeholder capability – Proven ability to build effective, collaborative relationships, whether navigating Cadent internally or adapting quickly from outside.
• Planning expertise – Experience managing budgets, forecasts and business plans, including challenging assumptions and ensuring data quality.
• Systems confidence – Comfortable working with SAP or similar finance systems and handling complex financial information.
• Process improvement skills – Demonstrable experience improving financial processes, reporting or controls.
• Judgement and confidence – Willing to challenge the status quo, propose well‑reasoned options, and make sound decisions in a dynamic environment.

Operating within a purpose‑driven organisation, Finance plays a critical role in supporting investment, operational performance and long‑term sustainability. This role offers flexible working, a collaborative culture, and a clear opportunity to build on your experience and broaden your impact.