Assistant Finance Manager

Sharp Consultancy; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharp Consultancy in York is seeking an experienced finance professional to join a growing retail business as Assistant Finance Manager. The role focuses on management accounting, budgeting, reporting, and business partnering in a fast-paced retail environment.

The candidate will report to the Financial Controller and may mentor junior staff while driving process improvements and financial controls across the function.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) accounting professional.
• Experience in management accounting and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Produce and review monthly management accounts with accurate results.
• Provide variance analysis and insightful commentary.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasts and cash flow projections.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations and adjacencies.

Skills

Management accounting

Budgeting

Variance analysis

Business partnering

Financial reporting

Education

CIMA/ACCA/ACA

Job description

This is an excellent opportunity based in York for an experienced finance professional to join a well-established and growing retail business with an impressive portfolio and ambitious expansion plans.

The role is ideally suited to an ambitious Assistant Finance Manager who is looking to take the next step in their career, developing their management accounting and commercial finance expertise within a fast-paced retail environment. The position offers broad exposure across financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, business partnering, and financial performance.

As Assistant Finance Manager, you will report directly to the Financial Controller and take responsibility for a range of management accounting and commercial finance activities. You will also have the potential opportunity to support and develop junior members of the finance team, contribute to process improvements, and take ownership of key financial areas as you become established within the role.

Core responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Producing and reviewing monthly management accounts, ensuring accurate reporting of financial performance across the retail business

• Providing detailed variance analysis and insightful commentary, highlighting key trends, risks, and opportunities

• Assisting with the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections

• Supporting the Finance Manager with month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring reporting deadlines are achieved

• Preparing and reviewing balance sheet reconciliations, investigating variances, and resolving discrepancies

• Posting and reviewing accruals, prepayments, journals, and other month-end adjustments

• Monitoring sales, gross margins, operating costs, payroll, and other key retail performance indicators

• Working closely with operational and commercial teams to provide financial insight and support effective business decision-making

• Supporting the preparation of weekly and monthly financial performance reports for senior management

• Assisting with statutory reporting requirements, audit preparation, and year-end processes

• Maintaining the accuracy and integrity of financial data across accounting systems and supporting improvements to financial controls

• Producing ad hoc financial analysis and reporting to support commercial and strategic decision-making

• Supporting the Finance Manager with financial planning, forecasting, and analysis across the business

• Assisting with the development and improvement of finance processes, systems, controls, and reporting procedures

• Supporting and mentoring junior members of the finance team, helping to ensure a high standard of financial reporting and day-to-day finance operations

• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, control costs, increase efficiencies, and enhance the quality of financial information available to the business

As you become more established within the role, there will be opportunities to take on increased responsibility, lead specific finance projects, contribute to strategic initiatives, and deputise for the Finance Manager when required. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their career within a commercially focused retail finance function.

Ideally, the successful candidate will be Fully Qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) and will possess previous experience within a Management Accountant, Assistant Finance Manager, or similar finance role. Previous experience within the retail sector would be advantageous, although this is not essential.

You will ideally be able to demonstrate strong management accounting and analytical skills, excellent attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. You should be confident working with large volumes of financial data and able to communicate financial information clearly and effectively to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be commercially minded, organised, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to manage competing priorities and build strong relationships across the business. This role would suit someone who is ready to step into a broader role and develop towards a Finance Manager position over the longer term

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction.