Finance Manager

Lucy Group; Thame; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucy Electric is seeking a Finance Manager to drive month-end close, robust financial controls, and insightful analysis to guide strategic decisions. You will partner with operations and commercial teams to support planning, forecasting, and performance improvement across the business.

The role requires ACA/ACCA/CIMA credentials with 3+ years' experience, strong Excel modelling, and the ability to influence stakeholders while delivering high-quality reporting in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA with 3+ years' experience.
• Professional membership with a recognised accountancy body.
• Excellent Excel modelling skills.
• Ability to influence and direct people.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Independent worker who can manage long periods.
• Teamwork across disciplines within the company.
• Able to prioritise workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to write financial policy and procedure documents.

Responsibilities

• Lead the month-end close process and financial reporting.
• Provide detailed variance analysis and financial commentary.
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and controls.
• Support internal and external audit requirements.
• Act as finance business partner to operational and commercial teams.
• Cover for Financial Controller during absences.
• Assist budgeting, planning and forecasting cycles.

Skills

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Professional membership

Communication skills

Influence & leadership

Independence

Teamwork

Time management

Excel modelling

Policy writing

Attention to detail

Education

Degree level education

Professional accountancy qualification

Tools

D365

Job description

Job Purpose:

The Finance Manager will play a critical role in ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting across the business. The role is responsible for leading the month‑end close process, maintaining a robust control environment, and delivering high‑quality financial insight to support effective decision‑making. A key focus of the role is to provide clear analysis of financial performance, explain key variances, and identify risks and opportunities that impact business results. In addition, the Finance Manager will partner closely with operational and commercial teams, acting as a trusted advisor to support planning, forecasting, and strategic initiatives.

This role involves travel to our Lucy Electric office in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire.

Business Overview:

Lucy Electric is an international leader in intelligent secondary power distribution products and solutions, with features such as remote operation and monitoring. Linking energy generation to consumption, the business specialises in high-performance medium and low-voltage switchgear for utility, industrial and commercial applications.

Key Accountabilities:

1. Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

• Lead the month‑end close process, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting
• Ensure timely reporting of financial results within agreed deadlines
• Prepare, review, and submit financial reports using OneStream (or similar systems)
• Post adjustment and non‑standard journal entries where required
• Ensure completeness, accuracy, and integrity of the general ledger

1. Financial Analysis & Performance Insight

• Review monthly results and perform detailed variance analysis against budget and forecast
• Prepare clear financial commentary explaining performance, key drivers, risks, and opportunities
• Provide financial analysis to support strategic and operational decision‑making

1. Balance Sheet & Control Environment

• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations in partnership with transactional teams
• Ensure strong financial controls and compliance with accounting policies and standards
• Support internal and external audit requirements, providing schedules and explanations

1. Business Partnering & Stakeholder Support

• Act as a finance business partner to operational and commercial stakeholders
• Challenge and support stakeholders on the financial impact of business decisions
• Work closely with transactional teams to resolve ledger and reconciliation issues
• Act as cover for the Financial Controller during periods of absence, ensuring continuity of financial leadership and reporting
• Undertake ad‑hoc assignments as required to support business needs

1. Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Support budgeting and forecasting cycles
• Contribute to financial planning processes and ensure alignment with business strategy

Qualifications, skills and experience:

Essential:

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA with 3+ years experience
• Professional membership with a recognised accountancy body
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills at all levels
• Ability to influence and direct people
• Must be able to work independently for significant periods of time
• Ability to demonstrate effective team working across all disciplines within the company
• Able to prioritise workload effectively
• Ability to work to tight deadlines whilst maintaining quality and attention to detail
• Excellent Excel modelling skills
• Ability to write financial policy and procedure documents

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the electrical supply industry
• Education to degree level or equivalent
• Knowledge and use of D365
• Excellent presentation skills