Finance Manager in Maidenhead

Head of Finance / Finance Manager – QBE- £55,000-£65,000- Maidenhead (On-site)

The Opportunity

With an ambitious growth strategy already underway, this is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, hands-on Head of Finance / Finance Manager to take ownership of the finance function and play a key role in shaping the business as it enters its next phase of growth.

The finance function is currently supported by an outsourced accounting provider, a part-time Finance Director, an internal Finance Administrator and a payroll professional.

The successful candidate will become the day-to-day operational finance lead, bringing greater control and structure to the function while helping transition key activities in-house.

This is a broad, all-round finance role suited to a Qualified by Experience (QBE) finance professional who is comfortable operating across financial control, management accounts, cash flow, compliance and commercial finance.

You will have genuine autonomy and the opportunity to build the finance function, systems and processes from the ground up.

The Role

You will take ownership of the company's finance function and act as the key financial contact for the wider business.

This is a highly hands-on role, combining financial control and reporting with commercial business partnering.

You will work closely with senior stakeholders to provide clear financial insight, improve processes and ensure the business has the financial infrastructure required to support continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day-to-day finance function and become the operational lead for finance.
• Lead the transition of accounting activities from the existing outsourced model into the business.
• Produce accurate and timely monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reporting.
• Own the month-end close process, including journals, accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare regular management information and board reporting for senior leadership.
• Lead P&L review meetings, providing clear commentary on performance, margins, variances and key business drivers.
• Manage cash flow forecasting, working capital and short-to-medium-term cash requirements.
• Maintain strong financial controls and ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information.
• Oversee VAT, statutory accounting requirements and other financial compliance.
• Manage relationships with external accountants, auditors, tax advisers and other third-party providers.
• Review and improve existing finance processes, controls and reporting procedures.
• Identify opportunities for automation, efficiency and improved use of financial data.
• Support the selection and implementation of new finance systems / ERP as the business grows.
• Develop budgets, forecasts and financial models to support business planning.
• Partner with operational and commercial stakeholders, providing financial insight to support decision-making.
• Act as a trusted financial adviser to the Directors and wider leadership team.
• Help shape the future finance structure, including recruiting and developing additional finance resource as the business scales.

About You

• We're open to candidates from a variety of backgrounds, but you will ideally bring:
• Strong Qualified by Experience (QBE) background, with substantial practical finance experience.
• Previous experience operating as a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Head of Finance or similar within an SME or growing business.
• Strong hands-on experience producing management accounts from start to finish.
• Excellent understanding of month-end processes, including journals, accruals, prepayments, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Experience with cash flow forecasting, budgeting and financial planning.
• Previous exposure to board reporting and presenting financial information to senior stakeholders.
• A strong commercial mindset, with the confidence to challenge and influence business decisions.
• Experience improving finance processes, controls and systems.
• Ideally, experience supporting or leading the implementation of a new finance system / ERP.
• The ability to operate comfortably at both strategic and transactional levels — someone who isn't afraid to roll their sleeves up and get into the detail.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• The ambition and capability to build and lead a finance team as the business continues to grow.
• A proactive, entrepreneurial approach and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Berkshire-based or within a commutable distance, highly advantageous.
• The Ideal Profile

This role would suit someone who is genuinely an all-rounder - a finance professional who can own the numbers, understand the commercial drivers behind them and work directly with the leadership team to help move the business forward.

You don't need to have followed a traditional ACA/ACCA/CIMA route; QBE candidates with strong practical experience will be considered.

What matters most is your ability to take ownership, operate independently and build a robust finance function within a growing SME.

This is an opportunity to have real influence and visibility, rather than simply managing an established finance function.

Head of Finance / Finance Manager – QBE- £55,000-£65,000- Maidenhead (On-site)