Finance Manager

www.topfinancialjobs.co.uk - Jobboard; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is on the lookout for a proactive Finance Manager to steer financial operations and drive strategic decision-making. This role is pivotal in leading budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting while collaborating closely with various teams to enhance business performance. The ideal candidate will possess strong technical finance skills, a knack for team management, and a commitment to improving financial systems. If you are commercially minded and ready to make a significant impact, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with experience in SME or mid-sized business.
• Strong management accounting and budgeting experience in manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes across departments.
• Own month-end close process and prepare management accounts.
• Supervise a small finance team and improve transactional processes.

Skills

Financial Planning & Analysis

Management Accounting

Budgeting

Excel Skills

Team Management

Communication Skills

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)

Tools

Sage

NetSuite

SAP

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on, commercially aware Finance Manager to lead day-to-day financial operations and support strategic decision-making. This role requires strong technical finance skills, the ability to work closely with manufacturing, operations and sales, and a proactive mindset to improve systems, reporting, and business performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Planning & Analysis

  • Lead the budgeting and forecasting process across departments

  • Provide regular financial performance reports and insightful analysis to senior leadership

  • Monitor key financial KPIs, margins, and cost structures to drive profitability

• Month-End & Financial Reporting

  • Own the month-end close process, ensuring timely and accurate reporting

  • Prepare management accounts with variance analysis and commentary

  • Support statutory reporting and year-end audit preparation

• Team Management & Development

  • Supervise, mentor, and support a small finance team of two

  • Review and improve transactional processes (AR, AP, payroll, bank recs)

• Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

  • Monitor cash flow daily, and produce short- and long-term cash forecasts

  • Work with suppliers and customers to manage payment terms and collections

• Business Partnering

  • Collaborate with operations and commercial teams to evaluate financial impact of operational decisions

  • Support pricing, costing, and capex decisions with data-driven input

• Systems & Controls

  • Strengthen internal controls, financial procedures, and documentation

  • Identify opportunities to automate reporting and improve financial systems (e.g., ERP, Excel models)

Candidate Requirements:

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with post-qualification experience in an SME or mid-sized business

• Strong management accounting and budgeting experience, ideally in a product or manufacturing environment

• Excellent Excel skills and experience with accounting/ERP systems (e.g., Sage, NetSuite, SAP, etc.)

• Demonstrated ability to manage a small team and improve finance processes

• Commercially minded with a focus on business improvement and cost control

• Strong communication skills and ability to influence non-finance stakeholders

Desirable:

• Experience in a manufacturing, engineering, or technology infrastructure business

• Experience with stock management, costing, or project accounting

• Exposure to international transactions (FX, multi-currency accounts)