An accumulator system and method for collating a plurality of media items wherein the media items enter in seriatim at an media item entry point and become at least partially overlapped with each other at a media item exit point. A media item transport path connects the media item entry point and the media item exit point. A moveable member is mounted along the media item transport path between the entry point and the exit point. The moveable member forms part of a pocket into which media items are moved to create a collation of media items. The moveable member is moveable to change the size of the pocket. A protective member may be mounted to the moveable member and positioned to protect the trailing edge of media items in the pocket from the leading edge of media items to thereafter be moved into the pocket. The media item may be aligned in the collation position when moving the protective member to a media item trailing edge protective position. The transport means for media items can be controlled to partially move a media item along an exit path beyond the collation position. Media items of different lengths can be formed as part of the collation at the collation position with the trailing edge of the media items aligned.