Finance Manager in Chester

Financial Control & Reporting

• Produce monthly management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet and cashflow
• Prepare budgets and forecasts in conjunction with senior management
• Provide variance analysis and commercial insight
• Prepare year-end accounts and liaise with external accountants/auditors

Transactional Finance (Hands-On)

• Oversee and process purchase ledger, sales ledger and credit control
• Manage bank reconciliations and posting of journals
• Manage VAT returns and compliance
• Ensure timely invoicing and robust debtor management

Cashflow

• Monitor and manage daily cash position
• Prepare rolling cashflow forecasts
• Manage banking relationships and invoice financing facilities

Systems & Processes

• Maintain and develop accounting systems and controls
• Identify and implement process improvements
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations

Business Partnering

• Support MD and senior team with financial insight
• Provide ad-hoc financial analysis
• Assist with pricing, costing and profitability analysis

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience in an all-round accounts role within an SME environment
• Strong working knowledge of management accounts and financial reporting
• Experience preparing VAT returns and dealing with HMRC
• Confident using accounting software (e.g. Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, or similar)
• Advanced Excel skills
• Ability to work independently and manage deadlines

Desirable

• AAT qualified / Part-qualified / Qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Experience in a growing or owner-managed business

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on and proactive
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail
• Commercially minded
• Confident communicator
• Comfortable operating in a small team environment