Finance Manager / HR Controller

Propel Consult; Market Harborough; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Hybrid working

Parking

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Pension scheme

Job summary

Propel Consult is assisting a well-established creative services business in Market Harborough to recruit a Finance Manager / HR Controller. This standalone role blends finance leadership with HR responsibilities in a fast-paced project environment.

The position offers 37.5 hours per week, hybrid working with 2 days from home, a discretionary bonus and a statutory pension, plus parking. Salary is up to £45,000.

Qualifications

• AAT qualified or qualified by experience in Finance Manager/Financial Controller roles with finance & HR responsibility.
• Experience in SME environments, ideally in project-based sectors such as events, marketing, creative, engineering, or design.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, management accounting and cash flow management experience to support business decisions.
• Experience managing HR administration, including records, contracts, absence management and onboarding.
• Understanding of UK employment legislation and HR compliance requirements.
• Commercial awareness to analyze profitability and workforce needs.
• Good knowledge of accounting systems and Excel, ideally Xero, with process improvement experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function and provide reporting, analysis and strategic guidance.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasts, budgets, project profitability reporting and VAT returns.
• Manage day-to-day financial operations including multi-currency transactions, payments, debtors/creditors, payroll and pension administration.
• Oversee employee administration, HR records, contracts, holidays, and documentation.
• Coordinate recruitment and onboarding activities, including right-to-work checks and agency liaison.
• Ensure HR policies and training requirements are followed, including handbooks and performance management.
• Oversee payroll processing and auto-enrolment pension administration.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Management accounting

HR administration

Payroll administration

HR compliance

Financial reporting

Multi-currency handling

Excel

Education

AAT qualification or equivalent

Tools

Xero

Job description

We're delighted to be recruiting a Finance Manager / HR Controller on behalf of a well-established and growing creative services business based in Market Harborough. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to join a successful SME, taking ownership of the finance function while partnering closely with senior leadership to improve commercial performance, financial visibility and strategic decision-making. This role offers a broad responsibility across finance, forecasting, reporting and business support within a fast-paced project-led environment.

Please note that this is a standalone Finance / HR position.

• Salary up to £45,000
• 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Flexible start times available (8:30am, 9:00am or 9:30am)
• Hybrid working with 2 days working from home
• Paid parking
• Statutory pension scheme
• Discretionary bonus scheme

We're delighted to be recruiting a Finance Manager / HR Controller on behalf of a well-established and growing creative services business based in Market Harborough. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to join a successful SME, taking ownership of the finance function while partnering closely with senior leadership to improve commercial performance, financial visibility and strategic decision-making. This role offers a broad responsibility across finance, forecasting, reporting and business support within a fast-paced project-led environment.

Please note that this is a standalone Finance / HR position.

• Salary up to £45,000
• 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
• Flexible start times available (8:30am, 9:00am or 9:30am)
• Hybrid working with 2 days working from home
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Paid parking
• Statutory pension scheme
• Discretionary bonus scheme

Duties and responsibilities

• Lead the finance function, providing financial reporting, analysis and strategic guidance to support business growth, decision-making and operational performance
• Prepare monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasts, budgets, project profitability reporting, VAT returns and year-end accounting information while maintaining strong financial controls
• Manage day-to-day financial operations including multi-currency transactions, payment runs, debtor and creditor management, payroll and pension administration
• Oversee employee administration, including maintaining HR records and systems, issuing contracts and offer letters, tracking holidays and absences, and ensuring personnel documentation is up to date
• Coordinate recruitment and onboarding activities, including recruitment administration, induction programmes, right-to-work checks and liaison with recruitment agencies
• Ensure compliance with employment legislation and HR best practice, supporting policies, employee handbooks, disciplinary, grievance, performance management and mandatory training requirements
• Oversee monthly payroll processing and manage the setup and ongoing administration of the employee auto-enrolment pension scheme

Required skills and experience

• AAT qualified or qualified by experience within a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Finance & HR Manager or similar position with responsibility for both finance and HR activities
• Previous experience within SME environments, ideally within project-based sectors such as events, construction, marketing, creative, engineering, technical services, architecture or design
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, management accounting and cash flow management experience, with the ability to support strategic business decisions
• Experience managing HR administration, including employee records, contracts, absence management, recruitment coordination and onboarding processes
• Understanding of UK employment legislation, HR compliance requirements and employee lifecycle management
• Commercially aware with the ability to analyse profitability, business performance, workforce requirements and operational efficiency
• Good knowledge of accounting systems and Excel, ideally including Xero, with experience of process improvement