Finance Manager

Complete Childcare Ltd; Reading; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Part time

Job summary

Complete Childcare Ltd. is hiring a Finance Manager to lead financial management across 17 nursery locations. You will report to the Group CEO and shape budgets, cash flow, and financial controls in a fast-paced, multi-site environment.

The role requires strong accounting knowledge, advanced Excel, and experience with Xero/Sage/QuickBooks. You will partner with Operations and HR on budgeting and capital projects.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in finance management within an SME or multi-site environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK accounting standards and payroll processes.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Familiarity with accounting software such as Xero, Sage, or QuickBooks.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations including accounts payable, receivable, bank reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, variance analysis, and commentary for leadership.
• Develop annual budgets and rolling forecasts in collaboration with Operations and HR.
• Monitor cash flow and working capital; implement strategies to optimise liquidity.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and statutory reporting.
• Cross-check payroll accuracy and timeliness for a workforce of 300 staff, liaising with HR on changes and compliance.
• Maintain and improve finance systems including accounting software and procurement tools.
• Implement controls to reduce errors, fraud risk, and inefficiencies.
• Support digital transformation initiatives across finance and procurement.
• Prepare for and manage external audits; ensure timely filing of statutory accounts.
• Maintain compliance with childcare sector regulations impacting finance, including funding and grants.
• Provide financial insights to support strategic decisions and operational performance.
• Partner with Operations and HR to manage labour costs, occupancy forecasting, and capital projects.

Skills

Finance management

UK payroll

Advanced Excel

Financial modelling

Analytical skills

Education

Accounting qualification

Tools

Xero

Sage

QuickBooks

Job description

Finance Manager

4 days per week, all year round.

About the Role

We are a growing £12m multi-site nursery business operating across 17 locations, and we are looking for an experienced Finance Manager to lead our financial management function. This is a pivotal role reporting directly to the Group CEO, supporting sustainable growth and ensuring robust financial controls across the business.

If you are a detail-driven finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-site environment, this could be the perfect next step in your career.

What You'll Do

Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations including accounts payable, receivable, bank reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, variance analysis, and commentary for leadership.
• Develop annual budgets and rolling forecasts in collaboration with Operations and HR.
• Monitor cash flow and working capital; implement strategies to optimise liquidity.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and statutory reporting.

Payroll & Benefits

• Cross-check payroll accuracy and timeliness for a workforce of 300 staff, liaising with HR on changes and compliance.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain and improve finance systems including accounting software and procurement tools.
• Implement controls to reduce errors, fraud risk, and inefficiencies.
• Support digital transformation initiatives across finance and procurement.

Compliance & Audit

• Prepare for and manage external audits; ensure timely filing of statutory accounts.
• Maintain compliance with childcare sector regulations impacting finance, including funding and grants.

Leadership & Business Partnering

• Provide financial insights to support strategic decisions and operational performance.
• Partner with Operations and HR to manage labour costs, occupancy forecasting, and capital projects.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Proven experience in finance management within an SME or multi-site environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK accounting standards and payroll processes.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Familiarity with accounting software such as Xero, Sage, or QuickBooks.
• Excellent analytical, organisational, and communication skills.

Desirable

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Experience in childcare, education, hospitality, or a similarly regulated sector.
• Knowledge of government funding streams for early years education.

Complete Childcare is committed to providing the best possible care to its children and safeguarding and promoting welfare of young children. All applicants will be required to complete an application form, and any offers of employment are conditional on the receipt of 2 satisfactory references, a satisfactory right to work check and an enhanced DBS check.

Complete Childcare is fully committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees, workers and job applicants. The Company aims to create a culture that encourages and values diversity and that appoints, rewards and promotes staff based on merit.