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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in agencies. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial knowledge and understanding the agency's business model. Be ready to discuss how you can add value, especially in areas like budgeting and forecasting.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be prepared to share examples of how you've coached team members or improved processes in previous roles. This will highlight your fit for the Finance Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience with month-end processes, budgeting, and forecasting. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for finance and how you’ve driven operational excellence in previous roles. Let us know why you’re excited about joining our agency!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves coaching and mentoring, don’t forget to mention any leadership experiences. We love seeing how you’ve developed others and improved processes in your past positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Parking Eye
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key financial metrics and concepts relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss your experience with month-end processes, budgeting, and forecasting. This will show that you understand the core responsibilities of a Finance Manager and can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've coached or mentored team members in the past. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a difference, especially in improving processes or enhancing team performance. This will demonstrate your ability to develop others, which is crucial for this role.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the agency's operations and how finance plays a strategic role in their success. Be ready to discuss how you can provide actionable insights that influence commercial decisions. This shows that you’re not just about numbers but also about adding value to the business.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific financial challenges or scenarios. Think through potential issues like revenue recognition or cash flow management and prepare your thought process. This will help you demonstrate your analytical skills and problem-solving abilities.
