Financial Accounting Manager - Full Time - East Sussex

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 Financial Accounting Manager to head up our Management Accounting and Finance Business Partnering team. This is a senior leadership role where you’ll report directly to the Head of Finance and work alongside the Financial Operations Manager.

You’ll be responsible for leading and developing the current team, overseeing monthly and year-end reporting, maintaining financial controls and ensuring statutory compliance across a large and complex organisation. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys ownership, leadership and making a difference in a fast-paced environment.

You will:

• Leading and developing the Management Accounting team and Finance Business Partners, overseeing the preparation of the monthly management accounts, and taking ownership of month end processes and balance sheet reconciliations
• Lead the Year End process, be the principal contact for the external auditors and manage delivery of the annual audit
• Ensure statutory compliance with FRS102 and relevant charity regulations
• Managing VAT compliance, including preparation and submission of VAT returns, and ensuring timely reporting and reconciliation of agency contract obligations
• Work closely with the Head of Finance and support wider financial projects and initiatives
• Take a lead role in the development of an internal audit function
• Support the preparation of the group budget and be responsible for the integrity and accuracy of the information
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures
• Identify and drive forward opportunities to improve processes and reporting
• Streamline and document current ways of working
• Build and support relationships with non-finance budget holders, both remotely and through site visits
• Understand and manage the financial implications of our charitable status and multi-site operations

• It is critical you are a fully qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA) with strong post qualified accounting experience

• Experience of managing, developing and coaching a finance team
• Experience of managing an audit process and working directly with external auditors
• Strong VAT knowledge and preferably experience of partial-exemption rules and more complex matters
• Strong knowledge of FRS102
• Excellent balance sheet reconciliation and financial control experience
• Experience of a multi-site (cost centre) commercial operation in the private or charity sector

• Financially astute with practical understanding of financial processes and issues
• Strong excel & IT skills, and a solid understanding of accounting software and systems
• Strong attention to detail and financial accuracy
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Highly organised and deadline-driven
• Professional, flexible and motivated
• Integrity and a commitment to high standards

At Freedom Leisure, we believe a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation and enhances the services we provide. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.