Jobs

Overall purpose of the job
As one of two management accountants that support the Trees for Life Group, the post holder will
produce accurate and timely management accounts with reports, that provide analysis and insights
on the Dundreggan Estate and Rewilding Centre. They will calculate and submit quarterly VAT
returns, support the production of year-end accounts and relevant reconciliations. They will be
required to actively contribute to finance systems development and process improvement. The post
holder will report directly to the Head of Finance but will work closely with budget holders across
the estate to aid them with project costings and understanding budgetary performance. The
management accountant needs a strong understanding of revenues related to the Tourism sector,
including accommodation, café, retail and our Visitor Experiences, with the ability to identify trends,
opportunities and risks. They will need to develop an understanding of the wider work of the Charity
and how that is reflected in the financial reporting. The management reports will include
performance against KPI’s, trend analysis and forecasts that aid management review and decision
making. The two management accountants are supported by two finance assistants and the post
holder will be required to line manage, mentor and develop at least one of these posts. The post
holder will have to opportunity to regularly visit the estate and visitor centre to meet with managers
and staff to learn about the organisation and share insights based on the financial analysis.
Throughout the year there will be several all staff meetings either online or in person and the post
holder will be expected to be on site an average of two days a week.
Key liaisons
Head of Finance and Resources, Rewilding Centre Director, Chief Operating Officer, Operations
Manager and the finance team. Line management responsibility for one of two Finance Assistants.
Key responsibilities
• Prepare and present monthly management accounts, including variance analysis against
budget and forecast.
• Analyse sales revenue across accommodation, café, and retail outlets, identifying trends,
opportunities, and risks.
• Ensure accurate income recognition for the estate and the centre, allocating revenue to
correct periods and reporting on deferred revenue, particularly for advance bookings,
deposits, and gift vouchers.
• Manage VAT returns, ensuring compliance with HMRC regulations and hospitality-specific
VAT rules. They will produce the Enterprises VAT report and support the consolidation and
submission of VAT returns for the Trees for life Group
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes, providing insight to operational managers.
Including meetings with managers, development of data collection templates and budget
reports.
• Develop and maintain financial models to support decision-making and profitability analysis,
including cashflow forecasts.
• Reconcile key balance sheet accounts, including intercompany charges, deferred income,
accruals, and prepayments.
Trees for Life is a registered Scottish charity (SC021303) and a company limited by guarantee (SC143304) with
registered offices at The Park, Findhorn Bay, Forres, Moray, IV36 3TH.
• Monitor cost controls and margins across different business areas, providing
recommendations for efficiency improvements.
• Assist in year-end audit preparation and liaise with external auditors as required for the
whole Trees for life group.
• Support the stock management processes and manage relevant adjustments in the
accounting systems, reconciling stock to the EPOS systems
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Work alongside and support the production of management accounts for the charity,
supporting the other management accountant.
• Developing and mentoring the Accounts assistants to help build their abilities to support the
finance team
• Assist with the consolidation of Trees for Life Enterprises and Trees for Life (Charity)
accounts.
• Provide financial guidance to non-financial managers, supporting operational decisionmaking.
• Occasional deputization for the head of Finance, including attendance and participation in
Senior management Meetings, Board meetings and Staff Meetings

Person specification
The successful candidate for the role will be:
● A fully qualified accountant with excellent interpersonal skills, who has prior experience in the
hospitality/tourism sector (or similar) and is confident in managing balance sheet reconciliations.
Experience of being responsible for the production of monthly management accounts with financial
commentary. Ability to analyse retail sales, hotel sales. You will need to be inquisitive, systematic
and solutions-focused. Excellent Excel skills and the ability draw data from a range of sources and
consolidate into meaningful reports. You must be willing to try to solve problems, communicate ideas
and be a team player. The post holder will be able to demonstrate their skills of using accounting
software and spreadsheets and will have good attention to detail. They will be able to inspire and
motivate the small finance team to ensure completion of the organisations’ financial reporting
requirements. Good communication skills are required and ability to explain finance information to
non-finance managers.
Knowledge and experience
Essential:
● Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) accountant. (Nearly Qualified
accountants will be considered with relevant sector experience.
● Minimum of 3 years of management accounting experience
● Working knowledge of accounting packages, ability to develop/adjust Chart of Accounts
and work with cost centres/project accounting modules.
● Experience of working with EPOS and Accommodation Software (for integration of financial
results into the accounting software)
● Good working knowledge of and competence in the use of software packages: Microsoft
Office, Google Suite and Google Sheets.
● Excellent Excel skills with the ability to use formula to develop models and manipulate
data.
Trees for Life is a registered Scottish charity (SC021303) and a company limited by guarantee (SC143304) with
registered offices at The Park, Findhorn Bay, Forres, Moray, IV36 3TH.
● Proven ability to negotiate contracts or financial settlements
Desirable:
● Experience in producing group accounts and processing inter-company transactions.,
Professional knowledge of accounting terminology and practices (e.g. working towards
NVQs/SVQs or Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) qualifications or some
equivalent experience).
● Experience in Tourism/hospitality sector
Personal attributes
● Must be committed to the ethos and values of Trees for Life
● Genuine enthusiasm and a passion for nature conservation.
● Highly motivated and professional in approach.
● Team player – a readiness to work as part of a team and support colleagues.
● Positive attitude to taking the initiative.
Skills and competencies
● Attention to detail, methodical with a tenacity to ensure accurate resolution of accounting
queries and reconciliation work.
● Well-organised and committed to ensuring proper documentary records are
established/maintained.
● Ability to think clearly and objectively, conduct complex analysis of data and
provide/propose logical solutions to accounting problems or queries that arise.
● Ability to work independently and accurately with limited supervision.
● Complete discretion in dealing with confidential information.
● Numeracy and aptitude, and enthusiasm for figure work.
● Ability to work to deadlines and prioritise tasks, managing own time as necessary.
● Ability to work as part of a team.
● Good interpersonal and communication skills, professional telephone and face-to-face
manner with customer service orientation. Ability to write letters as and when needed.
Working conditions and special demands
Minimum of 1 day per week working at the Trees for Life office, regular travel to the Dundreggan
Estate and Trees for Life operational sites. Occasional out-of-hours working with prior agreement
with your line manager

Application Deadline: Sunday 01/03/2026