Accounts Manager in Milton Keynes

Bringing clarity to complex change starts with strong foundations and that includes our finances. Sunfish is a digital transformation consultancy that helps organisations plan, govern and deliver complex change with confidence. We work alongside clients across aerospace and defence, consumer products and supply chain to reduce risk, lower cost and improve service quality. As we grow, we're looking for a capable, hands‑on Accounts Manager to take ownership of our finance operations and keep the business running with the same precision we bring to our client work.

The role

This is a hands‑on, operational finance role suited to an organised, detail‑driven professional who thrives in an SME or consultancy environment. Reporting to the Head of Internal Services, you'll own the day‑to‑day delivery of all accounting and finance processes, ensuring accurate financial operations, strong internal controls and timely reporting. You'll work closely with our management team and external accountants to maintain financial integrity and strengthen governance across the organisation.

What you'll do

• Own and manage daily finance processes: accounts payable and receivable, payroll inputs, expenses and banking.
• Lead timesheet reconciliation and customer invoicing, ensuring accurate billing, contract compliance and swift query resolution.
• Maintain the general ledger with accurate journal entries, reconciliations and audit‑ready records.
• Prepare VAT returns and payroll submissions, with review and filing support from our external accountant.
• Manage credit control and follow‑up to maintain healthy cashflow.
• Support bank reconciliations, financial reporting and variance analysis.
• Prepare documentation for monthly and annual accounts, audits and statutory filings.
• Keep Xero, our core accounting tool accurate, current and used effectively across the business and drive improvements in systems, workflows, reporting and automation.
• Act as the primary operational finance contact for internal teams, translating financial information clearly for non‑finance colleagues.
• Support contract administration, forecasting, revenue processes and subcontractor payments.

What you'll bring

• AAT qualified, or part‑qualified ACCA/CIMA.
• Experience in an accounts or finance operations role within an SME or consultancy environment.
• Strong grasp of transactional finance (AP, AR, payroll inputs, reconciliations).
• Expertise in cloud‑based finance systems, ideally Xero.
• Strong Excel and wider Microsoft Office skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organisation and process discipline.
• Confident communication across stakeholder groups and the ability to juggle multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced setting.
• Experience collaborating with external accountants or outsourced finance providers.
• Experience with subcontractor management and IR35 compliance.
• Exposure to project accounting or time‑based billing models.
• Familiarity with government or public sector consultancy contracts.
• Solid understanding of VAT, payroll and HMRC compliance.

Why Sunfish

You’ll join a team of experienced professionals who thrive in complex environments and care deeply about delivering work that makes a genuine difference. This is a role with real ownership and visibility, your work directly underpins how the business performs and grows. We offer a hybrid working pattern with two days a week in our Milton Keynes office and the rest from home. Interested? Apply via LinkedIn or get in touch with Ben Quartermain. We'd love to hear from you.