Finance Manager in Manchester

About the eoa (Employee Ownership Association)

Employee ownership in the UK is at a critical moment. The sector has more than doubled since 2020. Awareness is rising. Evidence is compelling. Businesses, communities, and policymakers are increasingly recognising that a people-powered approach can unlock fairness, resilience, and productivity.

We believe the UK can reach 10,000 employee owned businesses within the decade, transforming succession, broadening ownership, and reshaping the economic landscape. But achieving this relies on bold, strategic, values-led leadership across our community.

The eoa exists to build and connect that community: a network of more than 850 member businesses, thousands of employee owners, specialist advisors, policymakers, and partners committed to powering fairer livelihoods and stronger businesses through employee ownership.

Purpose of the Role

The Finance Manager leads the eoa’s finances to ensure the businesses resources are used effectively, efficiently, and sustainably. You will develop robust financial systems, reporting, and analysis to provide insight and assurance to the SLT and Board, playing a central role in safeguarding the eoa’s financial health and enabling its strategic goals to be achieved.

Role Summary

• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: 22.5 hours per week, working pattern to be agreed with successful candidate
• Location: Manchester (hybrid). You will be expected to attend the office at least twice per month, and more often where needed
• Salary: £45,000 (£27,000 pro rata) p/a
• Pension: Up to 7% employer pension match (from year 1 anniversary)
• Annual Leave: 30 days leave + bank holidays
• Reports to: Membership & Operations Director
• Management of: Finance and Business Support Administrator

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the organisation’s financial strategy, ensuring it underpins and enables operational delivery.
• Manage the annual budget-setting process, working closely with colleagues to align budgets with strategic priorities.
• Manage day-to-day financial operations, including financial accounting, membership renewals, bank account management, cash flow monitoring, credit control, payments, and function oversight.
• Take responsibility for accurate and timely payroll and pension delivery, working in partnership with an external provider.
• Prepare and reconcile monthly, and year-end accounts, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and robust controls.
• Produce accurate, timely financial forecasts, management accounts and financial analysis to support operational and strategic decisions.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements including tax (VAT, PAYE, Corporation Tax) and financial reporting obligations.
• Maintain strong internal controls and risk management processes, safeguarding the organisation’s financial health.
• Act as a signatory on company bank accounts, ensuring appropriate authorisation and governance arrangements are in place.
• Lead the ongoing development and improvement of finance processes and systems, and automations to drive efficiency and effectiveness.

Knowledge, Experience, and Attributes

• Degree-level education and either ACCA, CIMA, or ACA qualification.
• Proven track record in budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and delivering accurate management accounts and financial analysis.
• Experience of working for or preparing SME accounts, managing audits, risk, and internal controls, with a focus on continuous improvement of systems and processes.
• Strategic thinker who can translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insight for senior leaders and the Board.
• Highly organised, proactive, and solution-focused, with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Collaborative, adaptable, and professional, demonstrating integrity and sound judgment in all financial matters.

What Constitutes Success in This Role?

Success in this role means the eoa has reliable, efficient, and well-governed financial operations that underpin all aspects of the business. You will ensure day-to-day finance processes are accurate and timely, cash flow and budgets are effectively managed, and statutory obligations are met with confidence. By providing clear analysis and insight, you will support the SLT and Board in making informed decisions, drive improvements in systems and reporting, and enable the eoa to achieve its strategic priorities.

Key outcomes for the role Measures

• Outcome: The eoa maintains accurate, timely, and insightful financial reporting and analysis to support decision-making. Measure: Accurate monthly management accounts and forecasts delivered on time. Rolling forecasts and scenario analyses updated regularly.
• Outcome: Budgets are aligned with strategic priorities and financial resources are optimally managed. Measure: Budgets prepared and approved within agreed timelines. Variance between budgeted and actual expenditure monitored and reported. Cash flow maintained within agreed thresholds.
• Outcome: Statutory, regulatory, and internal governance requirements are met and risks are effectively managed. Measure: All statutory filings (tax, Companies House, pensions) submitted accurately and on time. External audit completed with no significant issues. Internal controls and risk management processes maintained and reviewed annually.
• Outcome: Financial systems and processes support operational efficiency and organisational growth. Measure: Transaction processing, reconciliations, and payroll delivered accurately and on schedule. Improvements in process efficiency implemented.
• Outcome: Finance contributes proactively to strategic decision-making and organisational development. Measure: Financial insight and recommendations consistently inform senior leadership decisions. Evidence of finance-led initiatives driving cost efficiency or strategic impact.
• Outcome: Finance function evolves to meet organisational needs and supports a culture of improvement. Measure: New or updated systems, processes, or reporting tools implemented successfully. Finance function demonstrates improved efficiency, effectiveness, or scalability over time.

How to apply

To apply, please submit:

• A two-page CV
• And one of either: Cover letter setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role or Video (maximum 10 minutes) setting out your motivation, approach, and what you will bring to the role

Applications should be submitted before 9:00am 2 March 2026. We will close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. If you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Interviews will be in Manchester w.c. 9 March 2026.

The eoa welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those who are under-represented. We recruit based on values, skills, and contribution to our purpose.