Finance Manager

ICAEW; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

ICAEW Sutton Coldfield is seeking a Finance Manager / Company Accountant to lead the finance function in a growing SME retail business. You will report to the Finance Director and own day-to-day financial operations, ensuring strong controls, accurate reporting and robust cash management.

The role covers monthly management accounts, VAT, payroll, stock accounting and forecasting, with opportunities to influence strategic decisions and drive process improvements.

Qualifications

• Experience as Finance Manager or Company Accountant in an SME environment.
• Strong management accounts and VAT knowledge.
• Payroll, cashflow and month-end reporting experience.
• Stock-led/retail/manufacturing or distribution experience.
• Proactive, hands-on approach; ability to work with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Produce monthly management accounts with commentary and analysis.
• Manage month-end processes including journals, accruals and prepayments.
• Oversee sales ledger, purchase ledger and credit control activities.
• Prepare VAT returns and ensure HMRC compliance.
• Manage cash flow and support forecasting.
• Bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Payroll processing and reporting.
• Stock and inventory accounting.
• Support budgeting and business planning.
• Liaise with external accountants and auditors.
• Review and improve financial processes and controls.
• Provide financial insight to senior management.

Skills

Finance Manager

Company Accountant

Senior Management Accountant

Financial Controller

SME experience

Management Accounts

Payroll

VAT

Cashflow

Month-end reporting

Stock-led

Retail

Manufacturing

Distribution

Hands-on

Stakeholder comms

AAT

QBE

Qualified by Experience

Education

AAT

Part-qualified

QBE

Qualified by Experience

Qualified accountant

Job description

Your new company

Finance Manager / Company Accountant
Sutton Coldfield (Office-Based) £40,000 - £48,000 + Benefits
Join a Growing, Family-Owned Business Where You Can Make a Real Impact
Are you a hands-on finance professional looking for a role where you can genuinely take ownership and influence the direction of a business?
A successful and long-established family-owned retail business based in Sutton Coldfield is seeking an experienced Finance Manager / Company Accountant to become a key member of its finance team. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, you'll play an integral role in managing the day-to-day financial operations and supporting the continued growth of the business.
This is the ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys variety, autonomy, and working closely with leadership in a fast-paced SME environment.

Your new role

As Finance Manager, you will take responsibility for the smooth running of the finance function, ensuring accurate reporting, strong financial controls, and effective cash management.
Key responsibilities will include:

• Producing monthly management accounts with commentary and analysis
• Managing the month-end process including journals, accruals and prepayments
• Overseeing sales ledger, purchase ledger and credit control activities
• Preparing VAT returns and ensuring HMRC compliance
• Managing cash flow and supporting business forecasting
• Performing bank and balance sheet reconciliations
• Processing payroll and associated reporting
• Managing stock and inventory accounting
• Supporting budgeting and business planning activities
• Liaising with external accountants and auditors
• Reviewing and improving financial processes and controls
• Providing financial insight and support to senior management

What you'll need to succeed

We're keen to speak with experienced finance professionals who enjoy being involved in both the operational and strategic aspects of finance.
You will ideally have:

• Previous experience as a Finance Manager, Company Accountant, Senior Management Accountant or Financial Controller within an SME environment
• Strong management accounts experience
• Knowledge of payroll, VAT, cashflow management and month-end reporting
• Experience working within stock-led, retail, manufacturing or distribution environments
• A proactive and hands-on approach
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work closely with senior stakeholders
• AAT qualified, part-qualified, qualified by experience (QBE) or qualified accountant backgrounds will all be considered

What you'll get in return

• Salary up to £48,000
• 23 days holiday plus bank holidays and your birthday off
• Potential for 1 day working from home following probation
• Long-term career opportunity within a stable and growing business
• Supportive leadership team and collaborative working environment
• Opportunity to make a visible impact in a well-established SME

If you're looking for a role where you can take ownership, work closely with decision-makers, and become a trusted part of a successful local business, we'd love to hear from you.