Finance Manager

Vanilla Recruitment (UK) Ltd; Market Harborough; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Discretionary bonus

25 days holiday

Paid parking

Statutory pension

Job summary

Vanilla Recruitment (UK) Ltd is helping a well-established Market Harborough SME appoint a Finance Manager who will own the finance function and HR duties. You will partner with senior leadership to improve financial visibility and support strategic decisions in a fast-paced, project-led environment.

The role offers a broad remit across finance, forecasting, reporting and business support with hybrid working (2 days from home) and a discretionary bonus in addition to a pension scheme.

Qualifications

• AAT qualified or qualified by experience in Finance Manager/HR Manager roles.
• Experience in SME environments, ideally project-based sectors.
• Proficiency in Excel and Xero with process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function, providing financial reporting, analysis and strategic guidance.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasts and budgets with strong controls.
• Manage day-to-day financial operations including multi-currency transactions and payroll.
• Oversee HR administration: contracts, HR records, holidays and onboarding.

Skills

AAT qualification

SME experience

Finance & HR management

Excel

Xero

Education

AAT qualification

Tools

Xero

Excel

Job description

We’re delighted to be recruiting a Finance Manager on behalf of a well-established and growing creative services business based in Market Harborough. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to join a successful SME, taking ownership of the finance function and hr duties while partnering closely with senior leadership to improve commercial performance, financial visibility and strategic decision‑making. This role offers a broad responsibility across finance, forecasting, reporting and business support within a fast‑paced project‑led environment.

Please note that this is a standalone Finance / HR position.

• Salary up to £45,000
• 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Flexible start times available (8.30am, 9am or 9.30am)
• Hybrid working with 2 days working from home
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Paid parking
• Statutory pension scheme
• Discretionary bonus scheme

Duties and responsibilities:

• Lead the finance function, providing financial reporting, analysis and strategic guidance to support business growth, decision-making and operational performance
• Prepare monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasts, budgets, project profitability reporting, VAT returns and year‑end accounting information while maintaining strong financial controls
• Manage day‑to‑day financial operations including multi‑currency transactions, payment runs, debtor and creditor management, payroll and pension administration
• Oversee employee administration, including maintaining HR records and systems, issuing contracts and offer letters, tracking holidays and absences, and ensuring personnel documentation is up to date
• Coordinate recruitment and onboarding activities
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and HR best practice, supporting policies, employee handbooks, disciplinary, grievance, performance management and mandatory training requirements
• Oversee monthly payroll processing and manage the set up and ongoing administration of the employee auto‑enrolment pension scheme

Required skills and experience:

• AAT qualified or qualified by experience within a Finance Manager, Finance & HR Manager or similar position with responsibility for finance and some HR Administration
• Previous experience within SME environments, ideally within project‑based sectors such as events, construction, marketing, creative, engineering, technical services, architecture or design
• Budgeting, forecasting, management accounting and cash flow management experience, with the ability to support strategic business decisions
• Experience managing HR administration, including employee records, contracts, absence management, recruitment coordination and onboarding processes
• Commercially aware with the ability to analyse profitability, business performance, workforce requirements and operational efficiency
• Good knowledge of accounting systems and Excel, ideally including Xero, with experience of process improvement