Finance Manager

Starting Point Recruitment Ltd; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Starting Point Recruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to own day-to-day finance for our Black Country and Birmingham operations. This hands-on role covers management accounts, financial reporting, controls and end-to-end payroll.

You will work with the Group CFO and operational managers to deliver accurate financial information for decision-making, budgeting, cashflow and year-end processes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of finance/accounting experience in a similar role.
• Experience preparing monthly management accounts and statutory reporting.
• End-to-end payroll experience including HMRC submissions.
• Strong knowledge of VAT, budgeting, forecasting and cashflow.
• Experience using accounting and payroll software with high accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate monthly management accounts and variance analysis.
• Own end-to-end payroll for weekly temps and monthly staff payroll.
• Oversee ledgers and reconciliations including cash and VAT
• Support budgeting, forecasting and cashflow monitoring.
• Provide financial information to aid commercial decisions and management reporting.

Skills

Finance management

Payroll processing

Accounts reconciliation

Budgeting & forecasting

VAT & HMRC knowledge

Excel

Education

AAT Level 4 or equivalent

Qualified by Experience (QBE)

ACCA/CIMA part-qualified

Tools

Accounting software

Payroll systems

Excel (advanced)

Job description

Salary and Contract

Salary: £40,000–£45,000 per annum

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Black Country & Birmingham

Reporting to: Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Finance Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function across our Black Country and Birmingham operations.

This is a hands-on role with responsibility for management accounts, financial reporting, financial controls and the full end-to-end payroll process, including weekly temporary worker payroll and monthly salaried payroll. The successful candidate will work closely with the Group CFO and operational managers, providing accurate financial information and supporting effective commercial and operational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Management Accounts & Reporting

• Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts.
• Prepare and review P&L and Balance Sheet accounts.
• Complete accruals, prepayments, journals and reconciliations.
• Provide variance analysis against budgets and forecasts.
• Prepare cashflow, KPI and financial performance reports.
• Support month-end and year-end reporting.

Payroll – Full Ownership

• Manage weekly temporary worker payroll and monthly salaried payroll.
• Process payroll calculations, adjustments, deductions and holiday pay.
• Manage pension administration and HMRC submissions.
• Complete payroll reconciliations and reporting.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and resolve payroll queries.
• Ensure employees and temporary workers are paid accurately and on time.
• Maintain appropriate payroll controls and procedures.

Financial Operations

• Oversee Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger and General Ledger activities.
• Manage bank and cash reconciliations, supplier payments and customer receipts.
• Monitor credit control and aged debt.
• Maintain accurate accounting records and financial controls.

Budgeting & Business Support

• Support annual budgeting and financial forecasting.
• Monitor actual performance against budgets and forecasts.
• Prepare staffing and payroll cost forecasts.
• Monitor cashflow and identify financial risks.
• Work with operational managers to improve financial understanding and decision-making.
• Provide financial analysis and challenge assumptions where appropriate.

Compliance & Process Improvement

• Prepare and submit VAT returns and payroll-related statutory requirements.
• Liaise with HMRC, pension providers, accountants and auditors.
• Support year-end accounts and audit requirements.
• Review and improve finance, payroll and reporting processes.
• Support the development and improvement of finance systems and controls.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Minimum 5 years' relevant finance/accounting experience.
• Strong experience preparing monthly management accounts.
• Proven end-to-end payroll experience, including weekly and monthly payroll.
• Experience working independently within a stand-alone or small finance function.
• Strong knowledge of Purchase, Sales and General Ledger.
• Experience managing month-end, reconciliations and balance sheets.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and cashflow.
• Good knowledge of VAT, payroll and HMRC requirements.
• Experience using accounting and payroll software.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• High-volume or temporary worker payroll experience would be advantageous.

Qualifications

• AAT Level 4 or equivalent finance/accounting qualification preferred.
• Qualified by Experience (QBE) candidates with strong relevant experience will be considered.
• Part-qualified ACCA/CIMA or currently working towards a relevant qualification would be advantageous.

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised and detail-oriented.
• Confident working autonomously and taking ownership.
• Comfortable managing strict financial and payroll deadlines.
• Analytical and commercially aware.
• A strong communicator who can explain financial information to non-finance colleagues.
• Confident working with senior management and challenging constructively when required.
• Proactive in identifying and resolving issues.
• Discreet and committed to maintaining confidentiality.