Financial Manager (Chartered Accountant)

Summary of the position

We are seeking a driven and commercially minded Finance Manager (Qualified Accountant) to join our finance team. This role is pivotal in driving financial performance, ensuring robust reporting, and providing insightful analysis. You will manage a small team, partner closely with stakeholders across the business, and play a key role in budgeting, forecasting, and operational finance.

Key accountabilities

Reporting

• Accurate and timely preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, including P&L, Balance Sheet, Capex and Group consolidation.
• Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards and internal policies.
• Act as the primary liaison with external auditors, managing audit requests, preparing supporting documentation, and ensuring timely completion

Operations

• Take ownership of cash flow forecasting and working capital management, ensuring liquidity and supporting growth plans.
• Oversee end-to-end invoicing, billing, credit control, and debt collection, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Monitor and improve financial controls across purchase-to-pay and order-to-cash processes.
• Support treasury management and contribute to financial risk management.
• Drive efficiencies in operational processes to reduce manual effort and improve accuracy.

Commercial Finance

• Drive margin optimisation through proactive analysis of pricing, cost structures, and profitability levers.
• Track, develop, and report on key business KPIs, ensuring insight is actionable and aligned with strategic objectives.
• Analyse customer and contract profitability, highlighting risks and opportunities.
• Provide financial input and challenge on bids, tenders, and commercial negotiations.
• Develop efficiency and productivity metrics, linking operational performance to financial outcomes.
• Support strategic projects and business cases with commercial and financial modelling.

Analysis

• Provide insightful analysis of accounting results, overheads, Capex spend, and variance analysis.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Develop financial models to support investment appraisals and scenario planning.

Business Partnering

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business.
• Act as a trusted advisor, providing financial insight and constructive challenge.
• Present financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.

Budgets & Forecasts

• Lead the annual budgeting process and rolling forecast updates.
• Work closely with department heads to set realistic targets and monitor performance.
• Ensure accurate phasing and sensitivity analysis for key assumptions.

Leadership

• Manage, mentor, and coach a small finance team, developing their skills and supporting career progression.
• Drive continuous improvement in processes, systems, and reporting.
• Promote a high-performance culture within the finance team.

Skills and Experience | Essential

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with experience in UK reporting and consolidations.
• Demonstrated experience in P&L, Balance Sheet, cash flow management, and Capex.
• Proven track record in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to partner with senior stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and non-verbal), with the ability to simplify financial information for a broad audience.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented, and confident in challenging the status quo.
• Experience managing and developing people, with a passion for mentoring and coaching.