Commercial Finance Manager

Celnor; England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK firm in financial management is seeking a Commercial Finance Manager to oversee and enhance financial operations. This role is pivotal in driving analytical decision-making and strategic financial reporting. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in commercial finance, a strong accounting background, and excellent interpersonal skills. The role offers a collaborative environment and clear pathways for progression.

Benefits

Enhanced annual leave provisions

Health & Lifestyle Rewards Scheme

Flexible hybrid working

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in progressively senior finance roles.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP/IFRS, taxation, and compliance requirements.
• Proven track record in a Commercial/Senior Finance Manager or Finance Business Partner role.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of statutory and management reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee VAT returns, CIS, R&D claims, and other compliance obligations.
• Act as primary contact for external auditors and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial modelling

Business partnering

Statutory reporting

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business

Tools

Xero

Job description

Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and commercially focused Commercial Finance Manager to lead, optimise, and elevate our financial operations. In this pivotal role, you will be a strategic partner to the leadership team driving decision-making through incisive analysis, accurate and timely reporting, and the implementation of robust financial controls. You will play a central part in shaping financial strategy, maximising profitability, and embedding efficiencies that underpin sustainable business growth. This is a high-profile role with significant impact, offering clear scope for progression within a fast-paced, growth-oriented, and collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

Alongside leading the Finance team and working closely with departments and leadership, this role will take full ownership of the financial processes, outlined as follows:

• Lead preparation of statutory and management reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Act as primary contact for external auditors and regulatory bodies
• Oversee VAT returns, CIS, R&D claims, P11D submissions, and other compliance obligations
• Maintain and reconcile the fixed asset register, including depreciation schedules
• Manage insurance and premises-related financial submissions
• Support preparation of monthly management accounts, board packs, and cash flow reporting
• Own short- and long-term forecasting, providing scenario planning and risk analysis
• Deliver meaningful insights on financial performance, KPIs, EBITDA, and variance analysis
• Lead annual budgeting processes across departments, ensuring alignment with business objectives
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and operational teams, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Provide actionable commercial insights to drive decision-making and departmental growth.
• Review and manage client contracts and payment terms to ensure profitability and commercial alignment.
• Drive continuous improvement of finance processes, controls, and systems.
• Identify and implement best practices to improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Enhance data integrity and reporting capabilities to support strategic decision-making.
• Oversee payroll, expense management, and credit control functions.
• Manage reconciliations, audit preparation, and working capital processes.
• Optimise invoicing procedures and ensure robust credit management.
• Lead cross-functional finance projects aligned to business strategy.
• Monitor and track project performance against budgets and forecasts.
• Support the leadership team with ad hoc analysis and strategic decision support.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in progressively senior finance roles
• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business (desirable).
• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP/IFRS, taxation, and compliance requirements.

Experience

• Proven track record in a Commercial/Senior Finance Manager or Finance Business Partner role, ideally in a corporate or large-scale enterprise/LSE, would consider SME environment experience
• Demonstrable experience in forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and KPI reporting
• Manage statutory accounts, VAT returns, CIS, R&D claims, and other compliance reporting
• Strong background in management accounting and financial modelling, with ability to provide actionable insights that support growth and cost optimisation
• Experience in building and managing relationships with stakeholders and external partners
• Exposure to utilities, construction, or infrastructure industries (advantageous but not essential)

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability; strong proficiency with accounting software (Xero preferred)
• Excellent communication skills and able to translate financial data into clear, commercial insights
• Strong business partnering skills. Confidence to challenge, influence, and support decision-making
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
• Track record of driving process improvements and implementing best practices

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute with a strategic mindset and strong analytical ability
• Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented
• Collaborator with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the organisation
• High levels of integrity, accountability, and professional judgement
• Motivated by growth and continuous improvement, both personally and organisationally

Benefits

• Enhanced annual leave provisions and Company sick pay
• Health & Lifestyle Rewards Scheme with Benenden Health (including discounts at 3500+ retailers including supermarkets, 24/7 GP service for you and your family, access to private healthcare and more)
• An additional day per year earnt after 3 consecutive years of employment, capped at 30 days excluding bank holidays.
• 2% above national minimum for employers contribution to your auto-enrolment pension fund
• Flexible hybrid working currently set at 3:2 (office/site to home working)
• Funding of relevant professional qualifications and memberships in line with our company Training and Professional Memberships Policy should this be desired or required for your role.
• Companywide team events including a Summer team building day and Christmas party.
• Companywide salary review each year
• Favorable refer a friend reward scheme