Finance Manager

Westwood Recruitment; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Recruitment in Southend-on-Sea is seeking a Finance Manager to own the day-to-day finance function and lead a small accounts team in a hands-on, practical role.

You will produce monthly management accounts, manage cash flow and payroll, submit VAT/HMRC returns, oversee invoicing and supplier payments, and work with external accountants on year-end and audits to drive strong financial controls and insight.

Qualifications

• AAT Level 3 or above (or equivalent accounting qualification).
• At least 2 years’ experience in a finance/accounts role.
• Experience producing management accounts.
• Experience using Xero or similar accounting software.
• Strong Excel skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead, support and develop a small accounts team.
• Produce monthly management accounts and explain findings to senior management.
• Maintain ledgers and perform reconciliations (bank, credit card, balance sheet, WIP, accruals).
• Manage cash flow, payment runs and authorising payments.
• Process monthly payroll, including commissions, deductions, pensions and staff loans.
• Prepare and submit VAT and other HMRC returns.
• Oversee invoicing, expenses and supplier payments.
• Work with external accountants on year-end and audit requirements.
• Review supplier contracts and identify cost-control opportunities.

Skills

AAT Level 3

Finance experience

Management accounts

Reconciliations

VAT & payroll

Xero

Excel

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Education

AAT Level 3 or above

Tools

Xero

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Finance Manager

£38,000 - £45,000 | Southend-on-Sea | Office Based

We’re recruiting on behalf of an established and growing specialist compliance business based in Southend-on-Sea. The business provides specialist services across air and water hygiene, ventilation, kitchen extract fire safety and wider building compliance, working with clients across a range of sectors throughout the UK.

They are now looking for a practical and dependable Finance Manager to take ownership of their day-to-day finance function and lead a small accounts team.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys being involved across the full finance function, while also having the opportunity to improve processes, maintain strong financial controls and provide useful financial insight to senior management.

The Role

As Finance Manager, you’ll be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day finance function and supporting the wider business with accurate and timely financial information.

• Leading, supporting and developing a small accounts team


• Producing monthly management accounts and explaining key findings to senior management


• Maintaining accurate ledgers and completing bank, credit card, balance sheet, WIP, accrual, prepayment and fixed asset reconciliations


• Managing cash flow, payment runs and authorising payments


• Processing monthly payroll, including commissions, deductions, pensions and staff loans


• Preparing and submitting VAT and other HMRC returns


• Overseeing invoicing, expenses and supplier payments


• Working with external accountants on year-end and audit requirements


• Reviewing supplier contracts and identifying opportunities to control costs


• Ensuring finance processes and procedures are followed consistently

About You

We’re looking for someone with solid practical finance experience who is comfortable taking ownership of a busy finance function.

• AAT Level 3 or above, or another relevant accounting qualification


• At least 2 years’ experience in a finance/accounts role


• Experience producing management accounts


• Strong knowledge of reconciliations, VAT and payroll


• Experience using Xero or a comparable finance system


• Strong Excel skills and confidence using Microsoft Office


• Previous experience supervising or managing a small accounts team


• Excellent attention to detail and strong financial judgement


• A practical, organised and solutions-focused approach

This is an office-based position in Southend-on-Sea, offering the opportunity to take real ownership of the finance function within an established specialist business