At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, budgeting, and coaching in a dynamic marketing agency.
- Company: Fast-growing marketing agency that values finance as a strategic partner.
- Benefits: Up to £45k salary, 30 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with excellent growth opportunities and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping finance processes and driving commercial success.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in finance, AAT qualified, and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
We’re hiring a Finance Manager to drive operational and commercial excellence in a high-growth marketing agency. Reporting into the Finance Controller, you’ll own month-end, budgeting, forecasting, and day-to-day finance leadership, while coaching and developing our Assistant Management Accountant. This role is about ownership, leadership, and shaping how finance adds value across the agency — from improving processes and automation, to providing actionable insight that influences commercial and operational decisions. You’ll partner with Client Services, Operations, and the Senior Management Team, providing clarity on performance, profitability, and efficiency. This is a role for someone who enjoys combining detail with commercial context, making an impact, and helping a finance function evolve in a fast-moving, collaborative environment.
Core Purpose
- Lead and own a robust, predictable month-end close
- Deliver budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow insight to support growth
- Oversee revenue recognition by aligning project delivery with contractual and accounting requirements
- Coach and mentor the Assistant Management Accountant, building skills, confidence, and accountability
- Improve financial processes, controls, and operational efficiency
- Act as a trusted finance partner to non-finance teams
- Support finance system rollouts, migrations, and automation
- Enable scalable, data-driven reporting across the business
Key Objectives
- Complete month-end close within 5 business days of month-end
- Ensure client revenue is accurately reported in line with contracts and UK GAAP/IFRS, safeguarding financial integrity and enabling informed commercial decisions
- Deliver quarterly budgets on time with commentary aligned to departmental plans
- Monitor client revenue concentrations, supporting FC to ensure no client >10% of total revenue
- Own cashflow forecasting and debtor management (≥3 months runway, ≤60 debtor days)
- Implement 1–2 targeted coaching or process improvements for the Assistant Management Accountant per quarter
- Lead rollout and adoption of expense management and automation systems (≥80% adoption within 6 months)
Responsibilities
- Financial Management & Month-End
- Lead the month-end close, reviewing management accounts, accruals, and reconciliations
- Produce clear variance analysis and performance commentary
- Ensure balance sheet integrity and high accounting standards
- Support the Finance Controller with inputs into Board-level reporting
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Commercial Insight
- Assist with setting budgeting and re-forecasting cycles across the agency
- Monitor profitability & revenue by client, team, and service line
- Translate financial data into actionable commercial insight for decision-makers
- Revenue Recognition & Project Accounting
- Manage revenue recognition, ensuring revenue is recognised in line with accounting standards
- Identify and escalate revenue risks or project delays to safeguard profitability
- Analyse project and retainer financial performance to support forecasting, margin optimisation, and decision-making
- Collaborate with Client Services and Operations to align project delivery, billing, and revenue recognition
- Team Leadership & Development
- Coach, mentor, and develop the Assistant Management Accountant
- Set clear expectations, standards, and priorities
- Delegate effectively, empowering autonomy while maintaining accountability
- Foster a culture of accuracy, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Business Partnering
- Act as a finance partner to non-finance stakeholders
- Communicate financial concepts clearly to all levels
- Balance commercial ambition with financial discipline
- Continuous Improvement & Systems
- Support the rollout and optimisation of expense management platform Payhawk
- Play a key role in system migrations and payment automations
- Help embed and optimise systems including Xero, Mavenlink, Payhawk, BrightHR
- Identify inefficiencies and design scalable, future-proof finance processes
- Governance, Controls & Compliance
- Maintain strong financial controls aligned to UK GAAP / IFRS
- Ensure compliance with internal policies and external requirements
- Support audits and statutory processes as required
What Success Looks Like in Your First 6–12 Months
- A smooth, predictable, and trusted month-end process
- Revenue is accurately recognised, monitored, and reported, with risks identified and mitigated.
- Improved visibility of client and delivery profitability
- Well-embedded finance systems with reduced manual work and full adoption across Rise
- A confident, supported Assistant Management Accountant thriving under your guidance
You’ll Excel Here If You…
- Have at least 3 years’ experience in a similar Finance Manager or senior finance role, desirable if you come from Paid Agency background
- Hold AAT (essential); CIMA part-qualified or newly qualified desirable
- Have experience leading or supporting process improvement, automation, or system migrations
- Are confident using Xero and advanced Excel / Google Sheets
- Have strong knowledge of UK GAAP / IFRS and accounting best practice
- Bring a positive, proactive mindset and a desire to improve how things work
- Have excellent attention to detail and time management skills
- Are analytical, curious, and solution-focused - comfortable solving complex problems
- Are a confident communicator with finance and non-finance stakeholders
- Can work independently while thriving in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment
- Can bridge creative and commercial worlds, understanding both delivery detail and business strategy
- Have experience (or interest) in improving processes for agile, retainer-based teams
Why join us
You’ll be joining a scaling SME marketing agency where finance is seen as a strategic partner, not a back-office function. You’ll have real ownership, exposure to senior leadership, and the chance to grow with the business, supported by an experienced Finance Controller and a collaborative leadership team. If you’re looking for a role where you can lead, influence, and build, rather than just maintain, we’d love to hear from you.
What we can offer you
- A salary of up to £45k depending on experience
- 30 days holiday + Bank Holidays, loyalty days accrued annually (capped at +5 days)
- Christmas and New Year shut down
- Access to Private Medical Insurance
- Health cash back plan
- Group life assurance scheme
- Company pension scheme
- Regular socials
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave schemes
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Bucket list scheme - an opportunity to experience a life dream!
Finance Manager in Manchester employer: Parking Eye
Join a dynamic and rapidly growing marketing agency in Manchester as a Finance Manager, where you'll play a pivotal role in shaping financial strategies and processes. With a strong emphasis on employee development, you will have the opportunity to mentor junior staff while enjoying a collaborative work culture that values innovation and strategic thinking. Benefit from a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and unique perks like a bucket list scheme, all within a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager in Manchester
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Parking Eye. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Parking Eye.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Parking Eye's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Parking Eye
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Parking Eye.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Parking Eye will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Parking Eye employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
