Finance Controller - Lead Team, Drive Transformation

Appleyard Lees IP LLP; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

34 hour week

Annual salary review

25 days leave + holidays

Healthcare plan

Life assurance

Group income protection

Job summary

Appleyard Lees IP LLP in Manchester is seeking a hands-on Finance Leader to run day-to-day finance, manage a team of five, and partner with the Finance Director to overhaul processes. You will sign off management accounts, discuss variances with budget owners, and test new bank feeds before go‑live.

The role offers influence, career prospects, and a friendly but ambitious environment. The position emphasizes faster month‑ends, stronger controls, and better management information, with

Qualifications

• Qualified in ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Several years’ experience in Financial Controller, Finance Manager or senior Management Accountant roles.
• Experience leading a small finance team through change.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a five-person finance team, allocate workloads and coach staff.
• Prepare and review monthly management accounts and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Manage weekly/monthly cash flow forecasting, banking relationships and FX.
• Coordinate VAT, audits and payroll checks with external advisers.
• Support billing systems, data integrity and finance controls.
• Drive process improvements, design and test new systems and integrations such as bank feeds and Power BI.

Skills

Management accounts

Balance sheet

VAT

Audit

Payroll

Excel

Finance systems

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Tools

Sage Intacct

Equinox

Excel

SharePoint

Power BI

Job description

Appleyard Lees IP LLP in Manchester is seeking a hands-on Finance Leader to run day-to-day finance, manage a team of five, and partner with the Finance Director to overhaul processes. You will sign off management accounts, discuss variances with budget owners, and test new bank feeds before go‑live.

The role offers influence, career prospects, and a friendly but ambitious environment. The position emphasizes faster month‑ends, stronger controls, and better management information, with