Commercial Finance Manager

Liberty Gas Group; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WPS is seeking a Commercial Finance Manager to lead the financial performance of operational contracts, manage a team of Billing Clerks, and partner with stakeholders to strengthen the commercial finance function as COINS is adopted.

You will oversee budgeting, forecasting, CVRs, and cash collection, shaping how contracts perform from day one while coordinating with operational leaders on profitability and risk management.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant with ACCA, CIMA or ACA or equivalent.
• Experience in contract or project-based finance within construction/utilities.
• Strong stakeholder management and business partnering skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Commercial Billing Clerks.
• Own contract financial performance, budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Produce CVRs and analyse contract profitability.
• Oversee applications for payment and subcontractor payments.
• Manage WIP, cash collection and billing accuracy.
• Support contract mobilisations and correct rates in COINS.
• Monitor costs vs budget and identify risks and opportunities.
• Provide weekly/monthly performance reports to stakeholders.
• Partner with operations to improve financial performance.

Skills

Team management

Commercial finance reporting

Contract accounting

Stakeholder management

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA or equivalent

Tools

COINS ERP

Job description

At WPS we are looking for a commercially focused Commercial Finance Manager to lead the financial performance of operational contracts, manage a team of Billing Clerks and act as a trusted business partner to operational and commercial stakeholders This role is designed to strengthen our commercial finance function as we align our operating model and transition to COINS. You'll play a key role in contract mobilisation, commercial reporting, cost control, forecasting and cash collection ensuring contracts are set up correctly and perform commercially from day one

What You'll Be Doing

• Managing and developing a team of Commercial Billing Clerks
• Taking ownership of contract financial performance, budgeting, forecasting and reporting
• Producing and reviewing CVRs (Cost Value Reconciliations) and analysing contract profitability
• Overseeing applications for payment, client billing, certification processes and subcontractor payments
• Managing work-in-progress (WIP), cash collection, outstanding debt and billing accuracy
• Supporting new contract mobilisations, ensuring correct rates, billing structures and cost controls are set up within COINS
• Monitoring actual costs versus budget and identifying commercial risks and opportunities
• Producing weekly and monthly performance reports for operational stakeholders
• Acting as a key business partner to operational and commercial teams to improve financial performance, This is an opportunity to shape a growing commercial finance function, work closely with operational leader where you will have a direct influence on contract profitability, commercial performance and strategic decision-making.
  Are you a qualified Accountant with experience in a construction, utilities, infrastructure, facilities management or a project-based environment?, You will have significant experience operating within a commercial or project-based finance environment. A professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) would be advantageous but is not essential

Essential Experience ? CVRs, contract reconciliations and commercial reporting ? Applications for payment and client billing processes ? Subcontractor payment certification and cost management ? Forecasting, budgeting and cashflow management ? Work-in-progress (WIP) reporting and debt collection ? Cost control within contract or project-based operations ? Managing financial performance against contract budgets ? Strong stakeholder management and business partnering skills

Highly Desirable

• ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent qualification (desirable)
• Experience within construction, utilities, infrastructure, social housing, property services or facilities management
• Knowledge of COINS or similar ERP systems
• Experience of project-based costing and contract accounting
• Previous line management experience