Commercial Finance Manager in Stoke-on-Trent

A leading organisation in Stoke-on-Trent is seeking a Commercial Finance Manager to play a pivotal role in supporting business-critical decisions through accurate and timely financial management. This position offers you the opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders, influence key strategic outcomes, and develop your career within a supportive environment that values collaboration and professional growth. With a competitive salary of £65,000 and the chance to lead a dedicated team, this role provides an excellent platform for those who are passionate about finance and eager to make a meaningful impact. Flexible working opportunities and ongoing training ensure you can balance your professional ambitions with personal commitments while continuing to expand your expertise.

What you'll do:

• Preparing comprehensive financial reports, profit and loss statements, and detailed variance analysis for management review within the business unit.
• Interpret complex financial data and present clear, persuasive analysis that provides actionable insights and recommendations to guide critical decision-making processes.
• Act as a trusted financial business partner for internal stakeholders, ensuring open communication channels and building dependable relationships across departments.
• Manage year-end accounting activities and control processes to guarantee compliance with statutory requirements and uphold high standards of accuracy.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly accounts, budgets, and forecasts, ensuring all outputs are delivered on time and meet organisational expectations for precision.
• Produce regular performance indicator reports as well as ad-hoc analyses requested by management to support operational improvements and strategic planning.
• Prepare and submit monthly cash flow forecasts and budgets that underpin robust financial planning throughout the business unit.
• Liaise with external auditors during audit cycles, managing information requests efficiently while maintaining positive professional relationships.
• Assess financial risks associated with new products or capital expenditure proposals, providing thorough appraisals that inform investment decisions.
• Lead, develop, and motivate a small team by conducting regular performance reviews, offering guidance, and supporting their achievement of individual objectives.

The successful candidate will have the following:

• Demonstrated experience in preparing detailed financial reports, profit and loss statements, budgets, and forecasts within a commercial environment is essential for success in this role.
• Proven ability to interpret complex financial data sets and communicate clear insights effectively to both finance professionals and non-finance stakeholders alike.
• Experience acting as a trusted business partner within an organisation by building dependable relationships across multiple departments is highly desirable.
• A track record of managing audits-including liaising with external auditors-and ensuring compliance with statutory accounting requirements is required.
• Strong organisational skills are necessary for overseeing multiple concurrent tasks such as monthly reporting cycles, budget submissions, cash flow forecasting, and ad-hoc analysis requests from management.
• Excellent interpersonal abilities are needed for leading a small team; previous experience conducting performance reviews or mentoring staff members would be advantageous.
• A proactive approach towards identifying potential risks in investment proposals or new product launches is important for safeguarding organisational interests.
• Advanced proficiency in relevant financial software packages (such as Excel or ERP systems) will enable you to deliver high-quality outputs efficiently.
• Professional qualifications such as ACA/ACCA/CIMA (or equivalent) are preferred but not mandatory if supported by substantial practical experience.