Assistant Management Accountant
Liverpool
12-Month Fixed-Term Contract
Downing is looking for an Assistant Management Accountant to join our Finance team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. You’ll support financial reporting, month-end processes, and business performance, while helping drive improvements to systems and ways of working.
We’re looking for someone who has experience preparing management accounts, strong systems knowledge, and a proactive approach. This is a hands-on finance role suited to someone who enjoys improving processes, working collaboratively, and producing accurate, timely financial information.
Downing is a leading UK real estate business with over 38 years of experience across Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, Build-to-Rent and Co-living. We manage thousands of homes nationwide and have an impressive £1.6bn worth of developments in the pipeline.
As we continue to invest in technology and innovation, it’s an exciting time to join a business focused on smarter, data-driven ways of working.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with the production of monthly and quarterly management accounts.
- Produce P&L analysis and support the reconciliation of accruals, prepayments, and service-related items.
- Prepare month-end balance sheet reconciliations and associated reporting, including debtors, and creditors.
- Provide management accounting support across development, operational, and student accommodation portfolios.
- Maintain accurate records and reconciliation of student rental income, working with lettings systems and operational teams where required.
- Review bookkeeping entries, financial transactions, cash movements, debtors, creditors, and credit control activity.
- Review bank and intercompany reconciliations.
Transformation, Systems & Process Improvement
- Support Downing’s finance transformation journey by contributing to process improvements and the implementation of more efficient ways of working.
- Use finance systems to enhance reporting accuracy, efficiency and financial controls.
- Support the implementation of new processes and financial controls, identifying opportunities to streamline processes and improve reporting.
Reporting & Compliance
- Ensure financial information is prepared accurately, timely, and compliant with internal controls and audit requirements.
- Assist with year-end processes, statutory accounts preparation, and external audits, including preparing supporting information and responding to auditor queries
- Assist with VAT, CIS, and other compliance reporting as required, in line with internal policies, financial regulations, and governance requirements.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly KPI and financial performance reports.
Team Support
- Work collaboratively across Finance and the wider business, providing support to the transactional finance team during peak workloads and month-end to ensure deadlines are met.
Key Requirements:
- Experience preparing management accounts and supporting month-end reporting processes.
- Strong systems knowledge, with good working knowledge of accounting systems; experience with Business Central and JET reporting would be an advantage.
- A willingness to support change, transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- AAT Level 4 qualified, part-qualified, or qualified by experience.
- Strong Microsoft Excel and general IT skills.
- Good understanding of accounting principles and financial statements.
- Strong analytical ability, accuracy, and attention to detail.
- Ability to work to strict deadlines and manage workload effectively.
- A proactive, collaborative approach with a desire to learn, develop, and contribute to the success of the Finance team.
- Experience working in a property, development, PBSA, student accommodation, or multi-entity environment would be advantageous.
Benefits:
- Competitive Salary
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Company Pension Contribution
- Gym Access
- Employee Assistance Program
- Life Assurance Cover
