At a Glance
- Tasks: Own financial reporting, controls, and cash management while driving commercial insight.
- Company: Join a dynamic private-equity backed SME in the West Midlands.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, hybrid work, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Lead a small team and enjoy excellent career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping finance processes in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA) with SME finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 47000 - 78000 £ per year.
Eaton Syalon is working exclusively with a private-equity backed SME as it strengthens its core finance capability. This is a broad, hands-on Finance Manager role reporting to the Group CFO, with responsibility for building structure, improving commercial visibility and embedding robust financial processes within a growing, evolving business.
The role is well suited to someone from a smaller environment who understands that not everything is fully developed and enjoys putting shape, discipline and clarity around a finance function.
The Opportunity
This role is about owning the numbers and the process behind them. You will take responsibility for core financial reporting, controls and cash management, while working closely with operational leaders to introduce greater commercial rigour, insight and accountability across the business. The finance function is established but still developing; reporting, processes and controls need strengthening and refining, rather than maintaining a finished environment. You will be trusted to assess what’s needed, prioritise improvements, and implement practical solutions that work for an SME. You will also manage and develop a small transactional finance team, ensuring strong foundations as the business continues to scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Management & Reporting
- Full ownership of monthly management accounts (P&L, balance sheet and cash flow)
- Improve the quality, accuracy and timeliness of reporting
- Produce clear, meaningful monthly packs for senior leadership and investors
- Develop and embed consistent reporting disciplines across the business
- Maintain a rolling 13-week cashflow forecast with strong visibility of risks and opportunities
- Commercial & Operational Finance
- Add commercial challenge around cost control, margins, pricing and performance
- Analyse customer, product and operational profitability
- Support decision-making through scenario analysis and financial modelling
- Work closely with operational leaders to link financial outcomes to operational drivers
- Process, Controls & Governance
- Strengthen financial controls, processes and documentation
- Improve working capital management (WIP, debtors, creditors and cash conversion)
- Partner with procurement and operations to tighten cost and supplier controls
- Identify gaps in systems, reporting and processes and pragmatically fix them
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead budgeting and reforecasting cycles
- Introduce more structured, driver-based forecasting where appropriate
- Track performance against KPIs and challenge variances
- Team Leadership
- Manage and develop the transactional finance team
- Create clarity around roles, ownership and expectations
- Build capability and consistency within the finance function
About You
You will be a qualified accountant (CIMA / ACCA) with experience in a Finance Manager or broad commercial finance role within an SME environment. You’re likely to have worked in a business where:
- systems and reporting weren’t perfect
- processes needed building or tightening
- finance needed to be both hands-on and commercially credible
You will bring:
- strong core finance skills and cashflow awareness
- confidence introducing structure and control without over-engineering
- a practical, sleeves-rolled-up mindset
- the ability to work comfortably with operational leaders and senior stakeholders
Experience in a PE-backed, high-growth or change environment is helpful but an SME mindset is essential.
Finance Manager employer: Eaton Syalon Limited
Eaton Syalon is an exceptional employer that values proactive individuals who thrive in a collaborative environment. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the company offers a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance while fostering meaningful relationships with clients. Located on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border, employees benefit from a supportive culture that encourages innovation and effective problem-solving, making it an ideal place for those seeking a rewarding career in credit control.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who have experience in SMEs or private equity. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your numbers inside out. Be ready to discuss how you've improved financial processes or reporting in past roles. Show us you can bring that hands-on, practical mindset to our team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage with us! Follow our company on social media, comment on posts, and show genuine interest in what we do. This can help you stand out when it comes to the interview stage.
✨Tip Number 4
Tailor your approach! When you’re reaching out or interviewing, highlight your experience in building financial structures and improving processes. We want to see how you can add value to our evolving finance function.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in financial management, reporting, and team leadership, especially in an SME environment. We want to see how you've tackled similar challenges before!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've improved financial processes or reporting in previous roles. We love a good story that showcases your skills!
Showcase Your Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your qualifications, like CIMA or ACCA. We’re looking for someone who’s not just qualified but also has hands-on experience in finance within an SME. Make sure this stands out in your application!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Eaton Syalon Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to own the numbers. Brush up on your financial reporting skills and be ready to discuss how you've improved accuracy and timeliness in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've managed cash flow and financial controls.
✨Understand the Business
Familiarise yourself with the company’s operations and how finance interacts with them. Be prepared to discuss how you can add commercial challenge around cost control and pricing. Show that you understand the importance of linking financial outcomes to operational drivers.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
You'll be managing a small finance team, so highlight your experience in team leadership. Share specific examples of how you've developed team capabilities and created clarity around roles and expectations. This will show that you're ready to build a strong foundation for the finance function.
✨Be Ready to Problem-Solve
The role requires identifying gaps in systems and processes. Think of examples where you've pragmatically fixed issues in financial reporting or controls. Show that you have a practical mindset and can implement solutions that work for an evolving SME environment.
