Management Accountant - #2196616

Management Accountant

Glasgow

Permanent - full time office (hybrid after a period)

About the Role

James D Bilsland is looking to appoint an experienced and proactive Management Accountant to support the financial management and continued development of the business.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys taking ownership of the numbers, working closely with business owners and providing meaningful financial information that supports commercial decision-making.

The successful candidate will be responsible for producing accurate and timely management accounts, overseeing key financial processes, managing cash flow and supporting improvements across financial reporting, systems and controls.

We are looking for someone who is equally comfortable getting involved in the day-to-day detail as they are looking at the bigger financial picture.

About James D Bilsland

Established in 1964, James D Bilsland is a successful, independent, family-owned business with over 60 years of experience in the fuel distribution industry.

What began as a small operation supplying fuel to local farmers has developed into an established business serving domestic, agricultural and commercial customers across Scotland and the North of England.

With depots across Scotland and Northern England, including its head office in Croftamie, the company supplies a wide range of products including home heating oil, commercial fuels, bottled gas, lubricants and AdBlue.

Despite its expansion over the years, James D Bilsland has remained true to its family business roots, placing great importance on customer relationships, reliable service and the values that have helped build its reputation.

The business has also continued to invest in technology and operational improvements, including digital fuel monitoring and delivery management systems, bringing together traditional customer service with modern ways of working.

An exciting opportunity to make a real impact

As an established business with multiple locations and a diverse customer base, James D Bilsland offers an interesting and varied financial environment.

The Management Accountant will play an important role in supporting the business, working closely with the owners and management team to provide accurate financial reporting, strengthen financial controls and identify opportunities for improvement.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands-on, taking responsibility and having a genuine voice in the business, rather than simply producing monthly accounts.

You'll be joining a business with a proud history, strong family values and a practical, forward-thinking approach to its future.

Key Responsibilities

Management Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Prepare accurate monthly management accounts, including profit and loss statements and balance sheets.
• Produce financial analysis and commentary, highlighting variances against budgets and forecasts.
• Manage month-end processes, including journals, accruals, prepayments, depreciation and payroll postings.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
• Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Support statutory reporting and year-end accounting requirements.
• Assist with annual budgeting and financial forecasting.

Cash Flow, Treasury & Working Capital

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day treasury function.
• Monitor cash flow and prepare accurate cash flow forecasts.
• Review debtor and creditor balances, identifying potential risks and opportunities.
• Support improvements in working capital management, including debtor days and inventory.
• Provide financial information to support effective cash management and business planning.

Financial Controls & Compliance

• Prepare VAT returns and support other regulatory reporting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, financial regulations and company policies.
• Maintain robust financial controls and governance.
• Identify financial risks and recommend appropriate improvements.

Business Partnering & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with business owners and shareholders, providing clear and meaningful financial insights.

Support commercial decision-making through financial analysis and reporting.

• Identify opportunities for cost efficiencies and improved financial performance.
• Review existing finance processes and recommend improvements to reporting, systems and controls.
• Support the introduction of automation, technology and more efficient ways of working.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
• Strong practical experience in a management accounting role.
• Sound technical accounting knowledge and experience producing monthly management accounts.
• Experience managing month-end processes, reconciliations and financial reporting.
• Strong Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP and SUMIFS.
• Experience using accounting or ERP systems such as Sage, Xero, Microsoft Dynamics, SAP, Oracle or NetSuite.
• Excellent analytical skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Confidence communicating financial information to senior stakeholders and business owners.

Desirable

• Experience working within a family-owned or privately owned business.
• Experience partnering directly with directors and shareholders.
• Knowledge of Power Query, AI or financial reporting tools.
• Experience improving financial processes, implementing systems or introducing automation.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who brings more than technical accounting knowledge.

The ideal candidate will be:

• Proactive, positive and enthusiastic, with a hands-on approach.
• Self-motivated and confident working independently.
• Commercially aware, with the ability to understand the wider business impact of financial decisions.
• Highly organised and capable of managing competing priorities.
• Comfortable taking ownership and accountability for their work.
• A confident communicator who can build strong working relationships.
• A collaborative team player who enjoys contributing to a positive working environment.
• Someone who brings ideas, challenges existing processes constructively and looks for better ways of doing things.

Why Join James D Bilsland?

This is an opportunity to play an important role within an established, family-run business, working closely with key decision-makers and having a genuine influence on financial reporting and processes.

The role offers a varied mix of management accounting, financial control and business partnering, with the opportunity to contribute to improvements that make a real difference.

For someone who enjoys responsibility, autonomy and being part of a business where their contribution is valued, this could be an excellent next step.