Senior Financial Accountant Manager in Leeds

Location: Leeds

Salary: 35-45k Experience depending

Type: Permanent fulltime Mon- Thurs 8.30am-5.30pm Friday 8.30am - 4.30 pm

Immediate start

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Accounts Manager to take ownership of the finance function within a successful and growing SME. This is a key leadership position, offering the opportunity to work closely with senior management while taking full responsibility for the day-to-day finance operation. The role would suit someone who enjoys working in a hands-on environment, takes pride in delivering accurate financial information, and is confident managing competing priorities within a fast-paced business.

As an integral member of the management team, you will play an important role in supporting business performance through strong financial management, proactive communication, and sound commercial judgement.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Directors, you will oversee the day-to-day finance function through to the preparation of management accounts, ensuring deadlines are consistently achieved and the finance function operates efficiently and effectively. Working alongside an Accounts Assistant, this is a hands-on position where you will remain actively involved in all aspects of the accounts function rather than operating solely at a supervisory level. The business operates in a high-volume SME environment, where attention to detail, organisation and forward planning are essential. Many financial processes involve multiple stages, supporting documentation and manual checks, making this an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working thoroughly and accurately rather than relying on automated systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing the day-to-day finance function.
• Preparing accurate and timely management accounts.
• Maintaining all aspects of the bookkeeping function.
• Managing purchase and sales ledgers, bank reconciliations, VAT returns and month-end processes.
• Ensuring financial records are accurate, complete and compliant.
• Supervising and supporting the Accounts Assistant.
• Managing financial priorities and ensuring key deadlines are consistently met.
• Working closely with the Directors to provide financial insight and operational support.
• Identifying issues early, communicating proactively and recommending practical solutions.
• Continuously improving financial processes and controls where appropriate.

About You

You will be an experienced finance professional with extensive bookkeeping knowledge and advanced Sage 50 experience gained within a busy SME environment. Equally important is your ability to work independently, take ownership of your responsibilities and communicate confidently with senior stakeholders. You are naturally organised, commercially aware and comfortable managing a varied workload without close supervision. You enjoy working in a practical, hands-on role and are willing to support the wider business where required.

What We're Looking For

Essential

• Extensive experience using Sage 50.
• Strong bookkeeping and accounting experience within an SME.
• Experience producing management accounts.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet deadlines.
• Confident communicator with the ability to build strong working relationships across the business.
• Self-motivated, proactive and able to work independently.
• Commercial awareness and a practical approach to problem solving.

Desirable

• Experience working within an owner-managed SME.
• Previous experience supervising or mentoring junior finance staff.
• Confidence contributing to wider business discussions and supporting senior management.
• Experience assisting with people management or broader operational responsibilities.
• Ideally from Retail, Import, Distributor.

If you receive suspicious outreach claiming to be from us, please contact us via the ManpowerGroup website.