Finance Manager

Cherry Professional Ltd; Audenshaw; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £50,000

Benefits package

Direct exposure to senior leadership

Autonomy & influence

Growth opportunities

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Cherry Professional Ltd is recruiting a Finance Manager for a Manchester-based role offering responsibility for the finance function and strategic financial support. The successful candidate will work closely with leadership to drive performance, improve processes and contribute to commercial decision-making.

The role blends financial control, reporting, business partnering and team leadership within a collaborative, fast-paced SME.

Qualifications

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA or QBE
• Experience as Finance Manager or similar role
• Experience in an SME environment
• Strong month-end processes and financial controls
• Effective communication with stakeholders across functions
• Autonomy and ownership in a fast-paced setting

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly management accounts and ensure timely reporting
• Maintain balance sheet reconciliations, accruals and fixed assets
• Monitor cash flow and manage working capital with sales ledger oversight
• Prepare statutory and regulatory returns including VAT and CIS where applicable
• Strengthen financial controls and reporting processes
• Partner with operational teams to provide financial insights and cost analysis
• Support budgeting, forecasting and business planning; lead a small finance team
• Liaise with external auditors and group stakeholders as required

Skills

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Education

Professional qualification

Job description

Finance Manager | up to £50,000 plus benefits | Manchester (East Manchester)

Are you a driven finance professional looking for a broad and varied role where you can influence business performance and help shape the future of a growing organisation?

We're supporting a successful and expanding business in the search for a Finance Manager to take ownership of the finance function and provide both operational and commercial financial support. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working closely with leadership teams, improving processes, and making a visible contribution to business success.

This opportunity offers a blend of financial control, reporting, business partnering and team leadership within a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

The Role

Reporting into the senior leadership team, you'll oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the business, ensuring accurate reporting, strong financial governance and effective support for operational decision making. You'll play a pivotal role in maintaining financial integrity while identifying opportunities to improve performance, processes and profitability across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the monthly management accounts process, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Maintain responsibility for balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, prepayments and fixed asset records.
• Monitor cash flow, oversee sales ledger activities and support effective working capital management.
• Prepare statutory and regulatory returns, including VAT submissions and CIS reporting where applicable.
• Review and strengthen financial controls, procedures and reporting processes.
• Partner with operational and project teams to provide financial insight, cost analysis and performance reporting.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and business planning activities.
• Lead, mentor and develop a small finance team.
• Liaise with external auditors, advisors and wider group stakeholders as required.

About You

We're keen to speak with commercially aware finance professionals who combine strong accounting knowledge with a practical, hands-on approach.

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, part-qualified, or qualified through experience (QBE).
• Experienced within a Finance Manager, Company Accountant, Financial Accountant, Managent Accountant or similar position.
• Comfortable operating in an SME environment where flexibility and ownership are key.
• Confident managing month-end processes and maintaining strong financial controls.
• Able to communicate effectively with stakeholders across finance and operational functions.
• Looking for a role that offers both autonomy and the opportunity to influence business decisions.

Desirable Experience

While not essential, experience gained within any of the following sectors would be highly advantageous:

• Construction
• Property
• Engineering
• Facilities Management
• Project-based or contract-led businesses
• Knowledge of CIS regulations and accounting within project-driven environments would be particularly beneficial.

What's on Offer

• Salary of up to £50,000
• Competitive benefits package
• A varied and autonomous Finance Manager position
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and decision makers
• Opportunity to influence business performance and process improvements
• Growing and successful organisation with exciting future plans
• Supportive and collaborative working environment

Suitable Backgrounds

This role could suit candidates currently working as a:

• Finance Manager, Management Accountant, Financial Accountant, Company Accountant, Senior Management Accountant, Finance Business Partner, Assistant Financial Controller or Financial Controller.

If you're looking for a position where you can take ownership, add value and become a key member of the leadership team, we'd be delighted to hear from you.