Finance Manager

Heap & Co - Accountancy & Finance Recruitment Specialists; Saffron Walden; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Heap & Co partners with a growing SME in the Saffron Walden area to recruit an experienced Finance Manager who can own the finance function and partner with the senior leadership. The role blends financial control with commercial insight and hands-on management of a small finance team.

The successful candidate will drive management accounting, reporting and budgeting while supporting strategic decision-making across multiple revenue streams.

Qualifications

• Finance Manager or similar role experience.
• Management accounting and financial reporting expertise.
• Budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management.
• Effective communication with finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience leading finance staff.
• Proactive and hands-on approach.
• Organisational and problem-solving skills.
• ACCA/CIMA/ACA qualifications are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a small finance team.
• Oversee daily finance operations and strong control environment.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and deliver KPI reporting.
• Provide financial insight to senior stakeholders and partners.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Oversee payroll submissions, VAT and PAYE compliance.
• Partner with operational managers on investments and cost-control initiatives.

Skills

Management accounting

Financial reporting

Cash flow management

Commercial analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA qualification

Tools

Payroll systems

Job description

Are you looking for a broad Finance Manager role where you can make a genuine impact for an organisation rather than simply producing reports?

We're partnering with a highly successful business in the Saffron Walden area. Operating within a unique environment, the organisation has built an incredibly strong reputation within its sector. With a busy and dynamic operation encompassing multiple revenue streams, the business is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to take ownership of the finance function and support its continued success.

This is an opportunity to join an SME where finance sits at the heart of decision-making. You'll work closely with the senior leadership team, providing financial insight, commercial support and operational guidance while leading a small finance team.

The Opportunity

As Finance Manager, you'll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the finance function while contributing to the strategic direction of the business.

This is a varied role offering a mix of financial control, reporting, commercial analysis, team leadership and business partnering. You'll be trusted to identify improvements, strengthen processes and provide the financial visibility needed to support operational and commercial decisions.

The position would suit someone who enjoys operating within a hands-on environment and is comfortable switching between strategic planning and day-to-day finance management.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor and develop a small finance team.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning and process documentation to ensure operational resilience.
• Oversee daily finance operations.
• Review and authorise payment runs.
• Monitor cash balances and liquidity requirements.
• Maintain strong financial controls and governance procedures.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations and ensure the integrity of financial records.

Management Accounts & Reporting

• Prepare accurate monthly management accounts.
• Deliver meaningful financial reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Produce insightful analysis and recommendations that drive business performance.
• Develop reporting frameworks and KPIs to support decision-making.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Commercial Support

• Lead annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes.
• Monitor financial performance against plans.
• Identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Support the senior leadership team with strategic planning and financial analysis.

Payroll

• Oversee payroll submissions and reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements including VAT, PAYE and other regulatory obligations.
• Manage year-end preparations and support external advisers through the audit process.

Business Partnering

• Work closely with operational managers and senior leadership.
• Support investment decisions, cost control initiatives and business improvement projects.

About You

We're keen to speak with candidates who can demonstrate:

• Previous experience as a Finance Manager, Senior Management Accountant, Financial Controller or similar.
• Strong management accounting and financial reporting expertise.
• Budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management experience.
• The ability to communicate effectively with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience leading, mentoring or managing finance staff.
• A proactive and hands-on approach.
• Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills.

Professional qualifications such as ACCA, CIMA or ACA are advantageous but applications from qualified by experience professionals will also be considered.

Why Consider This Role?

• Salary of £55,000 - £65,000.
• Highly visible position with influence across the business.
• Broad responsibilities spanning operational and strategic finance.
• Opportunity to partner directly with senior leadership.
• Varied and commercially focused environment where no two days are the same.
• Stable, successful SME with a strong reputation and unique operating model.
• Genuine opportunity to add value and make your mark.

If you are looking for a role that offers variety, autonomy and the chance to play a key role in a successful organisation, we'd be delighted to hear from you.