Commercial Finance Manager

Universal Business Team; Nantwich; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Business Team is seeking a Commercial Finance Manager/Head of Finance in Nantwich to lead the finance function and drive growth. The role blends strategic oversight with hands-on financial leadership, focusing on project costing, profitability analysis, and commercial insight to support business decisions.

You will work closely with operational teams to tighten controls, improve efficiency, and develop KPIs that drive performance across the business.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified preferred.
• Strong commercial background with project costing experience.
• Excellent budgeting, forecasting and cash flow skills.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems capability.

Responsibilities

• Analyse project profitability, margins and operational performance.
• Investigate cost overruns and margin leakage.
• Develop costing models, pricing analysis and profitability reporting.
• Produce KPI dashboards and management reporting.

Skills

Commercial finance

Analytical ability

Project costing

Margin analysis

KPI reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Cash flow management

Excel skills

Education

ACA / ACCA / CIMA

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Our client based in Nantwich, are seeking a commercially minded and hands-on Commercial Finance Manager / Head of Finance to lead the finance function and support the continued growth of the business.

This role is far more than traditional accounting and reporting. The successful candidate will play a key role in analysing project profitability, improving operational efficiency, strengthening financial controls, and providing meaningful commercial insight to support business decisions.

The position would suit someone who enjoys working closely with operational teams, digging into costs and margins, identifying opportunities for improvement, and helping drive overall business performance.

This is a senior role within a growing SME environment and will involve both strategic and hands-on responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Finance & Analysis

• Analyse project profitability, margins, and operational performance
• Investigate cost overruns, inefficiencies, and margin leakage
• Develop and improve costing models, pricing analysis, and profitability reporting
• Produce KPI dashboards and management reporting
• Support strategic decision-making through financial analysis and forecasting
• Deliver meaningful commercial insights to senior management

Financial Management

• Oversee monthly management accounts and financial reporting
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
• Maintain strong financial controls and reporting accuracy
• Liaise with external accountants, auditors, banks, and advisors
• Support year-end and audit processes

Operational & Efficiency Improvement

• Work closely with operational teams to improve efficiency and accountability
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvement
• Improve reporting systems and business visibility
• Help develop operational KPIs and performance metrics

What Success Looks Like

• Improved visibility of project and business profitability
• Stronger financial controls and reporting
• On time monthly management accounts
• Better operational accountability and KPI tracking
• Improved margins and efficiency across the business
• A scalable and commercially focused finance function

• ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified preferred
• Qualified by experience candidates with strong commercial backgrounds will also be considered

• Strong commercial finance and analytical capability
• Experience with project costing, margin analysis, and KPI reporting
• Excellent understanding of operational and business performance drivers
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management experience
• Advanced Excel and financial systems capability