Finance Business Partner

Ipsum Utilities Limited; Haydock; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ipsum Utilities Limited in Haydock is seeking a qualified Finance Business Partner to partner with the MD and senior leadership, delivering high-quality management information and commercial insight across the Water Division.

The role also leads the finance team, drives robust financial controls, optimises working capital, and provides strategic financial input to shape the business' future success.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a finance business partnering or similar commercially focused finance role.
• Fully qualified ACCA/CIMA/ACA accountant.
• Strong management reporting and financial analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the MD and senior leadership to provide high-quality management information and commercial insight.
• Ensure robust financial controls and processes across the Group.
• Lead working capital management, including forecasting, collections, and cashflow improvements.
• Produce accurate financial reporting and oversee payroll processes.
• Support divisional projects, including system implementations and integrations.
• Mentor and develop junior team members and maintain financial documentation.

Skills

Finance business partnering

Stakeholder management

Financial analysis

Strategic thinking

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA/CIMA/ACA)

Job description

Reporting to the Finance Director, you will be a trusted business partner to the Managing Director and senior leadership team, providing high-quality management information and commercial insight to support strategic decision-making and business performance across our Water Division. You will also lead and develop the finance team, creating a high-performance culture, building capability, and ensuring the team delivers exceptional support to the wider business.

You will be responsible for delivering accurate financial and commercial reporting, maintaining strong financial controls, driving effective working capital management, and providing strong people leadership. This is an influential role offering the opportunity to provide meaningful insight, challenge, and support that helps shape the future success of the business.

Responsibilities and duties

• Partnering with the MD and senior leadership team to provide high-quality management information and commercial insight.
• Working closely with finance and commercial teams across the Group to ensure compliance with financial controls and processes.
• Leading working capital management, including cashflow forecasting, WIP reduction, billing improvements, and cash collection initiatives.
• Producing accurate financial reporting and maintaining key tax control accounts.
• Reviewing and overseeing payroll processes prior to finance sign-off.
• Supporting divisional projects, including system implementations and business integration activities.
• Ensuring robust financial controls, governance, and best-practice processes are maintained and continuously improved.
• Managing relationships with external auditors and supporting the annual audit process.
• Providing leadership, mentoring, and development support to junior team members while maintaining accurate financial documentation and records.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Finance Business Partnering or similar commercially focused finance role.
• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ACA).
• Strong understanding of management reporting, financial analysis, and business performance drivers.
• Experience of project accounting, with utilities sector experience beneficial but not essential.
• Highly analytical with strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Confident in challenging the status quo and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Resilient, adaptable, and able to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment while building strong relationships across the business.

You’ll be a collaborative and driven individual who enjoys partnering with operational leaders, turning financial data into meaningful insight, and making a genuine impact on business performance. In return, you’ll have the opportunity to shape decision-making, contribute to strategic growth, and develop your career within a supportive and ambitious organisation.

We believe in looking after our people, and it shows. When you join Ipsum, you’re not just taking a job - you’re starting a career with real support behind it.