Commercial Finance Manager

Liberty; West Kirby; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

WPS is seeking a Commercial Finance Manager to lead the financial performance of operational contracts in a hybrid role based near Knowsley, Liverpool. You will manage a team of Billing Clerks and act as a trusted business partner to operational and commercial stakeholders.

Key tasks include contract financial performance ownership, CVR review, applications for payment, WIP management, and cost control, with a focus on timely reporting and strategic decision support.

Qualifications

• CVRs, contract reconciliations and commercial reporting.
• Applications for payment and client billing processes.
• Subcontractor payment certification and cost management.
• Forecasting, budgeting and cashflow management.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing a team of Commercial Billing Clerks and developing their capabilities.
• Taking ownership of contract financial performance, budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Producing and reviewing CVRs and analysing contract profitability.
• Overseeing applications for payment, client billing, certification processes and subcontractor payments.
• Managing WIP, cash collection, outstanding debt and billing accuracy.
• Supporting new contract mobilisations with correct rates and cost controls in 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 improve financial performance.

Skills

Team management

Stakeholder management

Commercial reporting

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Budgeting

Cashflow management

Education

ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent (desirable)

Tools

COINS ERP

Job description

Commercial Finance Manager

Competitive Salary | Hybrid Working | Knowsley, Liverpool

Are you a qualified Accountant with experience in a construction, utilities, infrastructure, facilities management or a project-based environment?

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

About You

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

Why Join WPS?

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.

Hours:

Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

Location:

Charley Wood Road (Hybrid Working)

Closing date:

2nd December 2026 (may close early due to high demand)

Given the nature of this position, you will be required to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offences. Certain roles may also be subject to additional pre-employment checks