Finance Manager

The CFO HQ; Preston; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Axon Moore are partnering with an established SME in Preston to recruit a Finance Manager. You will lead the finance team, own monthly closes, and drive robust management reporting under the Finance Director.

ACA/ACCA qualified candidates moving into industry are preferred. You will oversee VAT, audits, payroll, and system integrity across Oracle and Sage environments, with clear progression to Finance Director in three years.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA qualification required or in process.
• Experience in management reporting and financial close.
• Knowledge of VAT and statutory reporting is essential.
• Strong finance systems experience across ERP platforms.
• Commercially minded with ability to challenge the status quo.

Responsibilities

• Produce accurate monthly management information and oversee month-end close.
• Lead and manage the Finance Team with guidance and performance oversight.
• Ensure timely delivery of accounting and financial reporting activities.
• Coordinate quarterly VAT returns and statutory audits with external auditors.
• Oversee stock reporting, payroll accounting, and reconciliations.
• Support budgeting and forecasting; challenge key stakeholders on ROI.

Skills

Financial reporting

Management reporting

Budgeting

Accounting controls

Commercial awareness

Education

ACA/ACCA qualified

Tools

Oracle

Sage 200

Sage Payroll

Sage 50 Payroll

Job description

# Finance ManagerAccounting / Finance,Finance ManagerOctober 20, 2026Permanent### Job Description* Permanent* Preston* Posted 18 hours ago* £55,000 – £60,000 per annumWebsite**CV-Library**Axon Moore are partnering with an established SME based in Preston to recruit a new Finance Manager.This opportunity would be ideal for an ACA or ACCA qualified individual who are looking to make thier first move into industry within a hands-on role adding genuine influence beyond the finance function, and under the mentorship of a fantastic Finance Director.The business is entering an exciting period of change and development, with continued investment in technology, customer experience and new product initiatives. They’re looking for a commercially minded finance professional who is solutions-focused, curious and confident in challenging the status quo to drive meaningful improvements across the business.In addition, there is a clear succession plan on offer, with the opportunity to develop into a Finance Director position within three years.### Key Responsibilities* Produce accurate monthly and ad hoc management information reports, while overseeing the month-end close process.* Lead and manage the Finance Team, providing guidance, support, and performance oversight.* Take overall accountability for the delivery and accuracy of accounting and financial reporting activities.* Prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and deadlines.* Oversee and manage quarterly stocktake procedures, ensuring accurate inventory reporting and reconciliation.* Manage payroll accounting, including EPS and PAYE reconciliations. Knowledge of Sage 50 Payroll is desirable.* Lead and coordinate the annual statutory audit process, acting as the key point of contact for external auditors.* Conduct margin analysis and reporting, providing insightful commercial commentary to support business decision-making.* Monitor the relevance, integrity, and accuracy of financial information across key systems, including Oracle, Sage 200, and Sage Payroll.* Manage the monthly and year-end General Ledger close process, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of financial data. Maintain ownership of reconciliations between the annual accounts and audited financial statements.* Support and drive the annual budgeting and forecasting processes, constructively challenging key stakeholders on assumptions, business cases, and return on investment (ROI).* Review and oversee Balance Sheet reconciliations, ensuring balances are accurate, complete, and appropriately supported.* Ensure adherence to financial policies, procedures, and internal controls across the business.* Drive the development and enhancement of IT and financial systems infrastructure to improve reporting capabilities, efficiency, and data accuracy.* Develop a strong working relationship with, and provide proactive support to, the Finance Director.Our local Lancashire Axon Moore team recruit all accounting and finance roles from CFO to transactional finance on both a temporary and permanent basis. For more information about this role or our wider team, please contact Kat Goulding on (url removed) or on (phone number removed). INDFIN