Finance Manager

Sowena Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Hybrid work (4 days in the office)

Senior leadership exposure

Job summary

Sowena Group is collaborating with a privately owned construction business to appoint a Finance Manager. The role covers month-end, audit, compliance, and ERP implementation, with exposure across reporting, controls and commercial finance.

You will work in a lean team, shaping the finance function and supporting future leaders. The ideal candidate will be ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified, possess strong technical accounting skills, and have experience with ERP systems and process improvements in a

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
• Experience in a Finance Manager or Senior Management Accountant role, ideally in construction, property or a project-based environment.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with month-end, audit and statutory compliance.
• Experience with ERP systems and driving process improvements.
• Advanced Excel skills and confident analysing large volumes of financial data.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the month-end process, producing accurate P&L and balance sheet reporting from end to end.
• Lead the external audit process and prepare year-end files and statutory accounts.
• Oversee VAT, CIS and Corporation Tax compliance, including HMRC submissions.
• Support ERP development and drive improvements in reporting and controls.
• Partner with stakeholders to drive planning, forecasting and business performance.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Tools

ERP system

Job description

Location: Central Manchester (4 days in the office)

Sowena Group is delighted to be exclusively partnering with a privately owned, high-growth construction business to appoint a Finance Manager as they continue to strengthen their finance function.

Reporting to the Financial Controller, this is a broad and highly visible role offering significant exposure across financial reporting, compliance, systems development and business partnering. Joining a lean, high-performing finance team, you'll take ownership of the month-end process, lead the annual audit, oversee statutory compliance and play a key role in embedding a recently implemented ERP system across the business.

This opportunity would suit an ambitious qualified accountant who enjoys improving processes, challenging the status quo and operating in a fast-paced environment where they can genuinely influence the direction of the finance function. The business is committed to developing future finance leaders, making this an excellent opportunity for someone with long-term aspirations to progress into senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the month-end process, producing accurate P&L and balance sheet reporting from end to end.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations, supporting analysis and month-end journals.
• Review and maintain the fixed asset register and associated reporting.
• Prepare overhead reporting and monthly reforecasts.
• Oversee the timely close of the sales and purchase ledgers.
• Produce monthly Board Packs for review by the Financial Controller and presentation to senior leadership.

Audit & Compliance

• Lead the annual external audit process, acting as the primary point of contact for auditors.
• Prepare year-end audit files and support the production of statutory accounts under FRS 102.
• Take ownership of VAT, CIS and Corporation Tax compliance, including HMRC submissions and correspondence.
• Ensure all finance policies, controls and compliance procedures remain up to date and operate effectively.
• Oversee wider statutory reporting requirements including areas such as CITB, Prompt Payment Reporting, Gender Pay Gap and Carbon Reporting.

Planning & Business Partnering

• Coordinate the monthly reforecasting of the five-year business plan, working closely with commercial finance and operational stakeholders.
• Analyse actual performance against budgets and forecasts, providing meaningful insight to support decision-making.
• Partner with colleagues across the business to improve financial understanding and drive operational performance.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Play a key role in the ongoing development and optimisation of the recently implemented ERP system.
• Challenge existing processes and identify opportunities to improve reporting, controls and automation.
• Support finance transformation projects and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across the wider finance function.

About You

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
• Previous experience within a Finance Manager or Senior Management Accountant role, ideally within construction, property or a project-based environment.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with experience managing month-end, audit and statutory compliance.
• Experience working with ERP systems and driving process improvements.
• Advanced Excel skills and confident analysing large volumes of financial data.
• Proactive, adaptable and comfortable taking ownership in a broad, evolving role.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships across finance and non-finance teams.
• Ambitious and motivated to develop into a future senior finance leader.

What's on Offer

• Salary of £55,000- £65,000 plus benefits.
• Hybrid working (4 days in the office).
• On-site parking.
• Significant exposure to senior leadership, including the CFO and Financial Controller.
• A broad role spanning financial reporting, audit, compliance, systems and commercial finance.
• The opportunity to influence finance transformation within a growing business.
• Clear long-term progression within a business that actively develops future finance leaders.