Management and financial accounting are two major types that form part of the business finance function. Although they may seem similar they both occupy a unique role but how do they differ?
In this blog, we break down the two roles and the key differences between them.
Financial Accountant:
A financial accountant is responsible for creating industry-standard reports on behalf of the company for external use. They manage data collection to create accurate financial reports to external parties e.g. investors, regulators, creditors and other key stakeholders. They record and report on all finances within the business which can then be accurately assessed for business performance and solvency. Financial accountants look at the past, recording and summarising periodical financial activity, ensuring business income statements align with strict reporting standards.
Typical duties could include any of the following;
Act as the principal contact for tax, pension, audit issues, insurance, rates matters, and statutory returns
Quarterly, monthly and year-end reporting and tax pack
Ensure all business accounts adhere to both internal and external audit requirements
VAT returns
Preparing balance sheet reconciliations
Conducting internal audits
producing statutory and management accounts
Oversee regulatory reporting duties & maintaining a detailed financial record on reporting systems.
Suggest and support initiatives for process improvements
Curating a financial overview of the business
Monitoring the financial performance and health of the business
Complying with all necessary tax and financial reporting requirements.
Producing best practice financial reports, including cash flow statements, profit and loss and balance sheets.
Financial accountant skills and qualifications;
ACA, or ACCA qualification
Experience with UK statutory reporting
Familiarity with UK GAAP and Statutory GAAP
Strong skills covering both technical accounting and reporting
Management Accountant:
On the opposite side, management accountants analyse and provide cost information to a business's internal management teams to support business leaders for more informed decision-making alongside organisational planning and internal control. So their work revolves around reports on current and future trends intended for internal use. Management accountants tailor highly detailed reports designed to identify investment opportunities, plan budgets, manage risks and support business decisions, assisting the Board of Directors and the CEO in making strategic decisions.
Typical duties could include any of the following;
Maintaining financial records - financial analysis and insights
Business performance reporting
Preparing monthly accounts and payroll
Statutory accounting
Driving internal controls
Balance Sheet reconciliations
Accruals and prepayments
Cash flow management and forecasting
Preparing forecasts and budgets
Support the response to requests from senior management and other stakeholders as necessary
Identify opportunities to boost profitability through the deployment of operational strategies
Create estimates and projections benchmarked by previous business performance
Focuses on the business’s future financial goals and expectations
Strategic planning, which involves collecting, analysing and summarising relevant data and other information to set realistic business goals for longer term profitability.
Management accountant skills and qualifications;
CIMA, ACA, or ACCA qualification
VAT, PAYE, and IFRS knowledge
Analytical thinking skills
Key differences
Management Accountant | Financial Accountant |
Prepares reports for internal use | Prepares reports for external use |
Focused on future performance | Focused on historic performance |
Will use estimations | Will only use accurate numbers |
Will use data from a variety of periods to create a more comprehensive analysis | Will prepare reports for set time period e.g. quarterly or for the financial year |
Prepares reports in a customised format to address specific needs - focused on flexibility | Prepares reports in a standardised format to meet rules and regulations (e.g. IFRS and GAAP) |
Will report on specific interest areas | Will rapport on business-wide performance |
Can include non-financial information alongside financial data to give a broader view of operations | Focuses strictly on financial statements and transactions |
Conclusions:
Both types of accounting are vital for a company’s success, serving different but complementary roles and catering to various audiences. While management accountants help internal managers make strategic decisions through flexible reports, financial accountants provide standardised, historical financial information to external stakeholders following regulatory guidelines.
We regularly offer both management and financial accounting positions across London, Thames Valley and the North. If you’re looking for a position where you can see your impact on your company's overall business and financial success, please don’t hesitate to get in touch so we can discuss your requirements further.