Finance and Operations Manager

Jo Holdsworth Recruitment Ltd; Leeds; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Jo Holdsworth Recruitment Ltd is working with an established IT services business in Leeds to recruit a Finance & Operations Manager. This hands-on role leads the finance function and supports a range of wider business activities, reporting to the founder.

You will prepare monthly management accounts, manage cash flow and budgeting, handle VAT and year-end information, oversee a junior finance assistant, and seek opportunities to improve processes through technology and automation.

Qualifications

• Experience managing SME finances with hands-on and strategic input.
• Ability to manage cash flow, budgets and forecasts.
• Knowledge of VAT and year-end processes.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts, P&L and balance sheet.
• Manage cash flow, budgeting and forecasting, with seasonal fluctuations.
• Monitor performance against budgets and targets for decision support.
• Prepare VAT returns and calculate corporation tax liabilities.
• Prepare year-end information for external accountants.
• Oversee billing, contract income and related processes.
• Lead and support one finance team member; provide guidance on finance matters.
• Support HR administration and health & safety coordination with external support.
• Identify improvements in processes via technology, automation and AI.

Skills

SME finance management

Cash flow planning

Budgeting & forecasting

VAT returns

Xero accounting

HR administration support

Health & safety coordination

Automation & AI in finance

Education

Qualified by experience

Tools

Xero

Accounting systems

Job description

Finance & Operations Manager Leeds

Salary: Up to £60,000 depending on experience

I'm working with an established and successful IT services business in Leeds to recruit a Finance & Operations Manager. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced, hands-on finance professional who enjoys taking ownership, working closely with senior management and playing an important part in the wider running of a business. The business has a genuinely lovely, close-knit team and a supportive, approachable founder who really values his people. It's the sort of environment where you'll feel part of the business, rather than simply another employee.

The company provides managed IT services and is looking for someone who can combine strong financial management skills with commercial awareness and a practical, solutions-focused approach.

This is a key appointment within a close-knit team, offering genuine responsibility, autonomy and the opportunity to influence how the business operates and develops.

The Role

Reporting directly to the founder and managing one member of the accounts team, you'll take responsibility for the finance function, alongside supporting a range of wider business activities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Preparation of monthly management accounts, including profit and loss and balance sheet reporting.
• Managing cash flow, budgeting and forecasting, with particular attention to seasonal fluctuations and customer payment cycles.
• Monitoring financial performance against budgets and targets, providing meaningful information to support business decisions.
• Preparing and submitting VAT returns and calculating corporation tax liabilities.
• Preparing accurate year-end information for external accountants.
• Overseeing recurring customer billing, contract income and related financial processes.
• Managing and supporting one member of the finance team, who independently handles the day-to-day transactional accounts.
• Providing guidance on credit control and other financial matters when required.
• Supporting HR administration, including contracts, onboarding and employee documentation, with external specialist support available.
• Coordinating health and safety compliance with support from an external consultancy.
• Identifying opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting and efficiency through technology, automation and AI.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone with a strong background in managing the finances of an SME, who is comfortable being hands-on whilst also contributing at a more strategic level.

Ideally, you'll bring:

• Experience preparing management accounts, budgets, forecasts and managing cash flow.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to anticipate and plan for fluctuations in income and customer payments.
• Experience within an MSP, IT services or recurring-revenue business would be a significant advantage.
• A good understanding of accounting systems, ideally Xero.
• Confidence working with senior management and taking ownership of financial information.
• An interest in technology, data analytics, AI and improving business processes.
• Previous supervisory or management experience.
• A flexible, proactive approach and willingness to get involved in the wider business.

Experience of HR administration or health and safety would be advantageous, although full external support is available.

Candidates may be qualified, part-qualified or qualified by experience. The emphasis is on practical ability, commercial understanding and finding the right person for the business.

Above all, we're looking for someone approachable, adaptable and confident, who enjoys being part of a small team and is happy to take responsibility.

What's on Offer?

• Salary up to £60,000 depending on experience.
• 35-hour working week, Monday to Friday.
• Flexible start and finish times ie 8am to 4pm, 9am to 5pm
• A senior, influential position within an established and successful business.
• The opportunity to work directly with the founder and contribute to business decisions.
• A supportive, friendly working environment.
• Scope to introduce improvements in systems, automation and financial reporting.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants more than a traditional finance role and enjoys being genuinely involved in the business they're supporting.

Location: Leeds (free car parking)

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time