Finance Manager

Role Purpose The Finance Manager leads the day-to-day financial accounting and transactional finance activities, ensuring robust controls, efficient processes and accurate, timely financial information for internal and external stakeholders. The role will take ownership of key areas, the financial ledgers, balance sheet, cash and treasury management and forecasting, statutory reporting, audit and tax compliance, while developing the Financial Accounting and Payments & Transactions teams and driving continuous improvement across the finance function. This role is based at our HQ in Huddersfield and will require 3 days per week in the office. Role & Responsibilities: Financial Control & Team Leadership • Responsible for the financial ledgers, balance sheet and all financial accounting processes. • Maintain robust financial controls and processes across Finance and the wider business, identifying and implementing improvements. • Ensure appropriate documentation and evidence is retained to support financial transactions and balances • Lead, coach and develop the Financial Accounting and Payments & Transactions teams. (Team of 9, 3 direct reports) Cash & Treasury • Act as the in-house banking specialist; maintain the treasury policy and manage funds in line with it, including FX coverage. • Manage cash flow and identify appropriate cash-management opportunities. • Produce accurate weekly and long term cash-flow reporting. Balance Sheet & Reporting • Ensure appropriate checks, balances and controls operate effectively, including timely monthly balance sheet reconciliations. • Own balance sheet budgeting and forecasting, with analysis of key trends, variances and KPIs. • Oversee capital expenditure control, analysis and reporting. Includes budgeting and leading quarterly review meetings. • Produce monthly management accounts and covenant reporting for the bank. Audit & Statutory Accounts • Lead production of statutory accounts for each subsidiary. • Manage the year-end audit through a robust plan, timely completion of requirements and effective liaison with external auditors. Tax & Compliance • Ensure compliance with VAT, duty and tax requirements; review VAT returns and ensure payments are made on time. • Prepare and review tax packs and provisions with third-party tax specialists. • Ensure statutory payments, including PAYE and Corporation Tax, are made on time. • Support R&D tax claims with specialist advisers. Skills, Knowledge & Experience • Qualified accountant ACA/ACCA or CIMA. • Post-qualification experience in financial control and statutory reporting. • Experience managing and developing finance teams. • Experience of treasury, cash-flow management and tax compliance in a multi-entity environment is desirable. • Strong technical knowledge of financial accounting, controls, statutory reporting, audit, cash management and tax compliance. • Excellent planning, prioritisation and problem-solving capability. • Clear written and verbal communication, with confidence engaging senior stakeholders, banks, auditors and advisers. • Effective people leadership, coaching and performance-management skills. • Strong systems capability and a continuous-improvement mindset