Finance Manager

Sharp Consultancy; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Sharp Consultancy in York is seeking an ambitious Assistant Finance Manager to advance management accounting and commercial finance expertise within a dynamic retail business. The role offers exposure to financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and business partnering to support decisions across the organisation.

The ideal candidate is Fully Qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with experience in management accounting and a proactive approach to improve processes and controls.

Qualifications

• Fully Qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)
• Experience in management accounting and commercial finance in a fast-paced retail environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• Proactive and capable of leading finance projects and mentoring juniors

Responsibilities

• Produce and review monthly management accounts with accurate reporting
• Provide variance analysis and commentary on trends, risks and opportunities
• Assist with budgets, forecasts and cash flow projections
• Support month-end and year-end close processes
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations and investigate variances
• Post accruals, prepayments, journals and month-end adjustments
• Monitor key retail KPIs and financial performance
• Partner with commercial teams to drive business decision making
• Support weekly and monthly management reporting and statutory requirements
• Contribute to internal controls and process improvements
• Mentor junior finance colleagues and develop the finance team

Skills

Management accounting

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Commercial finance

Financial planning

Stakeholder communication

Education

CIMA/ACCA/ACA professional qualification

Tools

Excel

Accounting software

ERP systems

Job description

This is an excellent opportunity based in York for an experienced finance professional to join a well-established and growing retail business with an impressive portfolio and ambitious expansion plans.

The role is ideally suited to an ambitious Assistant Finance Manager who is looking to take the next step in their career, developing their management accounting and commercial finance expertise within a fast-paced retail environment. The position offers broad exposure across financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, business partnering, and financial performance.

• Producing and reviewing monthly management accounts, ensuring accurate reporting of financial performance across the retail business
• Providing detailed variance analysis and insightful commentary, highlighting key trends, risks, and opportunities
• Assisting with the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections
• Supporting the Finance Manager with month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring reporting deadlines are achieved
• Preparing and reviewing balance sheet reconciliations, investigating variances, and resolving discrepancies
• Posting and reviewing accruals, prepayments, journals, and other month-end adjustments
• Monitoring sales, gross margins, operating costs, payroll, and other key retail performance indicators
• Working closely with operational and commercial teams to provide financial insight and support effective business decision-making
• Supporting the preparation of weekly and monthly financial performance reports for senior management
• Assisting with statutory reporting requirements, audit preparation, and year-end processes
• Maintaining the accuracy and integrity of financial data across accounting systems and supporting improvements to financial controls
• Producing ad hoc financial analysis and reporting to support commercial and strategic decision-making
• Supporting the Finance Manager with financial planning, forecasting, and analysis across the business
• Assisting with the development and improvement of finance processes, systems, controls, and reporting procedures
• Supporting and mentoring junior members of the finance team, helping to ensure a high standard of financial reporting and day-to-day finance operations
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, control costs, increase efficiencies, and enhance the quality of financial information available to the business

As you become more established within the role, there will be opportunities to take on increased responsibility, lead specific finance projects, contribute to strategic initiatives, and deputise for the Finance Manager when required. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to develop their career within a commercially focused retail finance function.

Ideally, the successful candidate will be Fully Qualified (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) and will possess previous experience within a Management Accountant, Assistant Finance Manager, or similar finance role. Previous experience within the retail sector would be advantageous, although this is not essential.

You will ideally be able to demonstrate strong management accounting and analytical skills, excellent attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. You should be confident working with large volumes of financial data and able to communicate financial information clearly and effectively to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be commercially minded, organised, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to manage competing priorities and build strong relationships across the business. This role would suit someone who is ready to step into a broader role and develop towards a Finance Manager position over the longer term

Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction.