Interim Project Accountant

TALK STAFF GROUP LIMITED; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

TALK STAFF GROUP LIMITED in Burton-on-Trent is seeking an experienced interim finance professional to support the finance team through a period of change. The role is hands-on, owning month-end processes, P&L scrutiny and cash flow, with strong collaboration with non-finance colleagues.

The initial assignment is 3–4 months, with potential for extension and involvement in wider projects. Salary is £350-£450 per day, with 4 days in the office and 1 day hybrid; start is immediate.

Qualifications

• Strong experience across management accounting & month end.
• A solid understanding of the P&L, balance sheet & financial controls.
• Experience in manufacturing, engineering or another operational environment.
• Experience in an SME or hands-on business.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and cash flow experience.
• Experience improving finance processes and controls.
• Strong Excel & financial systems experience.
• Ability to investigate variances and understand underlying numbers.
• Excellent communication with non-finance stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of monthly management accounts and month-end reporting.
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations.
• Review P&L performance and investigate variances.
• Provide clear financial commentary and analysis.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Assist with cash flow reporting and analysis.
• Support year-end and audit requirements.
• Provide capacity to the finance team during transition.
• Collaborate with operational and commercial stakeholders on performance.
• Strengthen finance controls and processes as needed.
• Support ongoing finance systems development.
• Guide and support junior finance team members.
• Own ad hoc finance projects as priorities develop.

Skills

Management accounting & month end

P&L, balance sheet & controls

Manufacturing/operational environment

Budgeting & cash flow

Excel & financial systems

Variance analysis

Communication with non-finance

Hands-on / pragmatic approach

Coaching juniors

ERP implementation / systems change

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

We are working with a well-established and growing manufacturing business in the Burton-on-Trent area that is looking for an experienced interim finance professional to provide additional support to the finance team.

The business is currently going through a period of change within Finance and requires someone who can come in, quickly understand the operation and provide additional capacity and stability.

This is a hands-on interim position, suited to someone who enjoys getting into the detail, taking ownership and working closely with both Finance and operational colleagues.

The initial requirement is expected to be around 3-4 months, although there is potential for the assignment to be extended and for the successful individual to become involved in further projects across the wider business.

To be considered for the role, you ll require the following essentials:

• Strong experience across management accounting & month end
• A solid understanding of the P&L, balance sheet & financial controls
• Previous experience within manufacturing, engineering or another operational environment
• Experience working in an SME or similarly hands on business
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and cash flow experience
• Experience improving finance processes and controls
• Strong Excel & financial systems experience
• The ability to investigate variances & get underneath the numbers
• Strong communication skills & the ability to work with non-finance stakeholders
• A pragmatic, hands-on approach & willingness to support wherever required
• Experience coaching or developing junior finance colleagues advantageous
• Experience of ERP implementation or systems change - advantageous

Within this position, you ll also be:

• Taking ownership of the monthly management accounts & month end reporting
• Preparing & reviewing balance sheet reconciliations
• Reviewing P&L performance & investigating variances
• Providing clear financial commentary & analysis
• Supporting budgeting & forecasting activity
• Assisting with cash flow reporting & analysis
• Supporting year end and audit requirements
• Providing additional capacity to the finance team during a period of transition
• Working closely with operational & commercial stakeholders to understand business performance
• Reviewing & strengthening finance controls and processes where required
• Supporting ongoing finance systems and process development
• Providing guidance and support to more junior members of the finance team
• Taking ownership of ad hoc finance projects as priorities develop

Salary & Working Hours

Salary is £350 - £450 per day, dependant on experience

Working Hours are Full Time, 4 days in the office and 1 day hybrid

3 4 months contract initially, with potential to extend