What a Management Accountant typically owns
- Monthly management accounts, P&L, balance sheet and cash flow
- Variance analysis and commentary for budget holders
- Budgeting and forecasting support
- Costing, margin and profitability analysis
Typical profile
Part-qualified to newly qualified ACCA, CIMA or ACA, or qualified by experience.
Every shortlisted Management Accountant is assessed against the Gravitate Baseline, with the role's technical must-haves agreed in the brief.
Salary guide 2026/27
Qualified hires, permanent base salary excluding bonus and benefits, South West excluding Bristol. Compiled October 2026. How we built these bands.
Get a salary benchmark and a hiring plan.
30 minutes, no obligation. Silver Search has no upfront fee.
Eliot: Since 2014 I’ve recruited finance professionals, including Group Management Accountant campaigns on a newly qualified finance desk.
Book a callGetting a Management Accountant hire right
Reporting or commercial?
Decide whether the job is mainly producing the pack (accuracy, deadlines, reconciliations) or explaining it (variances, margin, partnering budget holders). Both are Management Accountant roles, but they attract different people, and the advert should say which it is.
Qualification level
Decide whether you'll consider part-qualified (still studying ACCA or CIMA), newly qualified or qualified-by-experience candidates. Our published bands are for qualified hires; part-qualified roles may sit below them, and study support can be part of the offer.
Example assessment
Give a one-page P&L against budget with three variances and ask for a short commentary for a non-finance manager, in about 30 minutes. It shows technical accuracy and whether they can explain the numbers in plain English.
Got a finance role to fill?
A 30-minute call: the role, a salary benchmark, a realistic timeline and which search option fits.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to hire a Management Accountant in the South West?
We run a structured two-stage interview process that targets shortlist to offer within two weeks. Sourcing and screening happen before the shortlist, and the timeline relies on prompt interview slots and decisions on your side. The start date then depends on the candidate's notice period, so allow for that in your plan.
What salary should I offer a Management Accountant in Devon or the South West?
Our Gravitate South West salary guide 2026/27 puts a qualified Management Accountant at £42k–£58k base in an SME and £46k–£62k in a larger or group business, excluding bonus and benefits. Sector, scope and qualification move it within that range, so we benchmark every role on the first call.
How much does it cost to recruit a Management Accountant?
Fees are agreed per role and depend on whether you choose Platinum, Gold or Silver Search. Silver Search has no upfront fee. Book a call and we'll share our terms.
Which areas do you cover?
Exeter, Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Bath. We don't actively cover Bristol.