Finance Manager in Delabole

This is not your typical finance role. We are not your typical business.
Finance Manager, Balaena Head Office, Delabole
If you have ever looked at a set of accounts, a payroll process or an office routine and thought, There must be a better way, this could be the role for you.
We are looking for a Finance Manager to bring accuracy, ownership and calm control to our Head Office in Delabole. This is a hands-on role for someone who likes variety, takes pride in the detail and is confident enough to keep the numbers, payroll and office running properly while working closely with senior leaders and external advisors.
Who are we?
With a combined workforce of over 2,000 employees and operations spanning Gibraltar, Padstow, Tyne, Birkenhead, and Falmouth, Balaena is one of the UKs most dynamic and regionally anchored maritime groups - combining industrial agility, innovation, and community partnership to support national resilience, commercial competitiveness, and sustainability across both naval and merchant ship sectors.
The integration of Balaenas modern facilities in Gibraltar and Padstow with APCLs infrastructure on Tyne, Birkenhead and Falmouth create one of the worlds most capable ship repair and shipbuilding groups - with a network of 12 dry docks and strategic reach across the UK and the Mediterranean.
We respond quickly to defence and commercial requirements and deliver consistent quality and reliability to clients worldwide.
The personality matters
The right person will be organised, discreet and practical. You will be trusted with sensitive information, expected to keep things moving and relied on to spot when something does not look right.
You will need strong attention to detail, but you will also need to see the bigger picture: how the accounts, payroll, payments and day-to-day office activity support the wider business.
We are not looking for someone who only wants a narrow finance role. We are looking for someone positive, professional and hands-on; someone who can work independently, support a close-knit team and take ownership without needing to be chased.
What you will be doing
Managing the day-to-day accounting activity for Head Office, including ledgers, payments, expenses, bank reconciliations, journals, accruals, prepayments, cards and general reporting.
Supporting management accounts, cashflow visibility and the wider financial picture for senior leaders.
Running payroll for Head Office employees and looking after Head Office bill payments.
Working with external accountants, auditors and the wider administration team on statutory accounts and reporting requirements.
Keeping the office organised, from correspondence and supplies to facilities support, so the Head Office team can operate smoothly.
What we are looking for
Experience in day-to-day accounts processing, with strong working knowledge of ledgers, reconciliations and financial controls.
A fully qualified accountant with ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent.
Experience preparing statutory accounts and working with auditors.
Experience with Sage or Business Central would be helpful.
The ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently when needed and still be a strong contributor to the team.
A professional, proactive and trustworthy approach. Integrity matters in this role.
Why join us?
You will be close to the detail and close to the decisions. You will work with senior leadership, external advisors and a small Head Office team where your contribution will be visible and valued. This is a chance to take ownership of a broad finance and office management role in a business that is growing, changing and investing in its future.
We are big enough to cope, small enough to care, whilst we have significant capacity to take on large and complex projects across our five shipyards, we are a family-owned business with a genuine passion for the maritime industry and the people who make us who we are
If you are the kind of finance person who wants to understand the business, improve the way things work and keep the important details under control, we would like to hear from you.
Due to the nature of what we do for some of the customers that we work with, some roles are subject to security control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors including your nationality, any previous nationalities you have held, and your place of birth may limit those roles you can perform with us.
You must also undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check before your employment starts, which will include a basic DBS check.

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