Finance Officer

Forrest Recruitment; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Forrest Recruitment seeks a Finance Officer to join a Manchester-based team on a 6-month contract. The role is hands-on, covering the full ledger and month-end process, with immediate start and hybrid work arrangements (3 days in, 2 days at home).

You will bring a solid understanding of accounting principles, journal posting, and advanced Excel skills, with Sage Ledger experience strongly preferred. The position offers an hourly rate of £17.03 and a structured, high-performing team environment.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and bookkeeping.
• Journals expertise including permanent and reversing journals.
• Full ledger knowledge and cross-ledger work.
• Month-end close support from posting journals to ledger.
• Prepare month-end variance analysis and position reviews.
• Advanced Excel skills for complex spreadsheets.
• Experience using SAGE Ledger is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage full ledger and month-end processes.
• Prepare journals and postings for month-end.
• Perform variance analysis and management reviews.
• Support ad-hoc financial reporting and reconciliations.

Skills

Accounting principles

Journals

Full ledger

Month-end close

Variance analysis

Excel skills

SAGE Ledger

Tools

SAGE Ledger

Job description

Finance Officer, Manchester City Based.

6-Month Contract

£17.03 per hour, Immediate Start.

Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm OR 8am to 4pm (Hybrid 3 days in, 2 WFH)

We re looking for an experienced Finance Officer to join a high performing, welcoming team on a 6-month contract. This is a hands‑on role for someone with a strong understanding of accounting principles and the confidence to work across the full ledger and month‑end process.

Essentials as Finance Officer

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and bookkeeping.
• Excellent knowledge of journals, including permanent and reversing journals.
• Strong full ledger knowledge and confidence working across the ledger.
• Experience supporting the month‑end close process, including posting journals through to the ledger.
• Ability to prepare month‑end variance analysis and support position reviews following soft close.
• Advanced Excel skills are essential you ll need to understand the logic behind formulas and confidently work with complex spreadsheets.
• Previous experience using SAGE Ledger would be highly advantageous.

This is a great opportunity for a technically strong finance professional who can hit the ground running, work accurately to tight deadlines and bring a hands‑on approach to the month‑end process.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, only those successfully shortlisted for the role will be personally contacted.