Interim Project Accountant

Talk Staff Recruitment; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

Talk Staff Recruitment is seeking an experienced interim finance professional for a hands-on role in the Burton-on-Trent area. You will own monthly management accounts, drive month-end reporting, and work closely with operations to stabilise the finance function during a period of change.

The position requires strong experience in management accounting, forecasting, and controls, with SME manufacturing exposure. This contract offers hybrid working and a potential longer-term project portfolio.

Qualifications

• Strong experience across management accounting and month-end processes.
• Solid understanding of P&L, balance sheet and financial controls.
• Experience in manufacturing, engineering or SME environments.
• Budgeting, forecasting and cash flow experience.
• Experience improving finance processes and controls.
• Excellent Excel and finance systems proficiency.
• Ability to investigate variances and explain numbers to non-finance stakeholders.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Management accounting

Month end

Financial controls

Excel

Cash flow forecasting

Stakeholder communication

Operational finance

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Reference

8017

Salary

£350 - £450/day

Job Location

United Kingdom -England -West Midlands -Staffordshire -Burton upon Trent

Job Type

Contract

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