Finance Manager

Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited; Ashford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited in Ashford is seeking a Finance Manager to join an established and growing organisation. The role is office-based and pays £45k - £55k DOE, with responsibilities spanning the full finance function and providing financial insight for decision-making.

Reporting to the Board/Managing Director, you will manage day-to-day financial operations, oversee VAT and CIS, manage a finance team, and work closely with commercial and operational teams to improve cash flow and

Qualifications

• Experience as Finance Manager or senior finance role.
• Strong experience in monthly management accounts and financial reporting.
• VAT and CIS knowledge.
• Experience managing a finance team.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts with P&L and balance sheet.
• Coordinate with external accountants and auditors.
• Lead and mentor finance team.
• Oversee VAT, CIS compliance.
• Support cash flow improvement and business performance analysis.
• Provide management with profitability and cost insights.

Skills

Excel skills

Accounting software

Management accounts

VAT knowledge

Team leadership

Tools

Accounting systems

Job description

Finance Manager Ashford, office based Paying £45k - £55k DOE

I am currently working on behalf of an established and growing organisation to recruit a commercially astute and hands-on Finance Manager to join their team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional who enjoys being involved across the full breadth of the finance function and who can combine strong financial controls with a commercially focused approach.

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors / Managing Director, you will take ownership of the day-to-day financial operations while providing meaningful financial insight to support business performance and decision-making.

The Role

As Finance Manager, your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing comprehensive monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet and detailed variance analysis against budgets and forecasts.


• Acting as the key point of contact for external accountants and auditors.


• Leading, supporting and mentoring members of the finance team.


• Overseeing VAT returns and CIS compliance, ensuring all statutory obligations are met accurately and on time.


• Preparing year-end information and supporting documentation for the external accountants.


• Maintaining an accurate and up-to-date fixed asset register.


• Overseeing subcontractor processes, including accurate deductions, verification and payment applications.


• Supporting and overseeing Credit Control and Accounts Payable functions.


• Ensuring prompt invoicing and proactive collection of outstanding debts.


• Working closely with commercial and operational teams to improve cash flow and financial performance.


• Providing management with meaningful analysis and insight into profitability, costs, cash flow and business performance.


• Identifying opportunities to strengthen financial controls, processes and reporting.

About You

The successful candidate will be a confident and commercially minded finance professional who is comfortable operating in a hands‑on environment.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in a Finance Manager, Management Accountant or similar senior finance position.


• Strong experience preparing monthly management accounts and financial reporting.


• A good understanding of VAT and CIS, including domestic reverse‑charge VAT.


• Experience managing or supporting a finance team.


• Strong Excel skills and confidence working with accounting systems.