At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide financial leadership and insights to dynamic SME businesses in Manchester.
- Company: The Part-Time Finance People, specialising in flexible finance support for SMEs.
- Benefits: Competitive pay at £38 per hour, part-time flexibility, and a chance to mentor others.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on practical finance solutions and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping businesses understand their finances and grow sustainably.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Financial Controller with strong management accounting skills.
The predicted salary is between 38 - 38 £ per hour.
The Part-Time Finance People is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to partner with a range of dynamic SME businesses across Manchester and the surrounding region. This opportunity is ideal for a finance professional who enjoys variety, values flexibility, and takes pride in helping business owners gain a clearer understanding of their financial performance. Working on a part‑time basis, you'll become a trusted advisor to clients, providing practical financial leadership and supporting sustainable business growth.
As a Financial Controller, you'll work closely with business owners and senior leadership teams, delivering meaningful financial insight and ensuring robust financial management across multiple organisations. This is a hands‑on role where you'll take ownership of key finance activities, identify opportunities for improvement, and help clients make informed commercial decisions.
Key Responsibilities:
- Produce accurate and timely management accounts and financial reporting packs
- Monitor and manage cash flow, forecasting future financial performance
- Complete detailed balance sheet reconciliations and maintain financial integrity
- Develop and strengthen financial controls, processes, and reporting frameworks
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysis
- Provide clear financial insight to business owners and management teams
- Assist with year‑end preparation and liaison with external accountants
- Mentor and support finance team members where required
- Drive continuous improvement across finance functions and systems
About You:
You are an experienced Financial Controller with a strong background in SME environments. You combine technical expertise with commercial awareness and can translate complex financial information into practical business recommendations. You enjoy building relationships with stakeholders, solving problems, and helping businesses achieve their goals.
Skills & Experience:
- Proven experience in a Financial Controller position within UK‑based businesses
- Strong management accounting and financial reporting expertise
- Excellent balance sheet and month‑end control experience
- Demonstrable cash flow management and forecasting skills
- Experience implementing or enhancing financial controls and processes
- Advanced Excel skills, including PivotTables, SUMIF/XLOOKUP functions, and financial analysis
- Strong knowledge of Xero; experience with Sage 50 and QuickBooks is advantageous
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence non‑financial stakeholders
- Fully qualified (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, ICAEW, FCCA, ACMA) or Qualified by Experience with substantial finance leadership experience
- Previous experience managing or mentoring finance staff
Working Arrangement:
£38 per hour
Part‑time commitment of 2–3 days per week
Manchester and surrounding areas (Onsite)
Eligibility:
Applicants must have a minimum of two years' UK‑based experience operating at Financial Controller level. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK, as sponsorship is not available for this position.
Financial Controller (Manchester) employer: theparttimefinancepeople
The Part-Time Finance People is an exceptional employer, offering a flexible part-time role that allows you to make a significant impact on SMEs in Milton Keynes. With a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to enhance your skills while enjoying a balanced work-life dynamic. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values your expertise and fosters a collaborative environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller (Manchester)
✨Dive into Financial Communities
Join financial forums and local networking events where professionals in financial controlling hang out. Places like the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or local finance meetups can connect us with insiders who know about part-time opportunities, like the one at theparttimefinancepeople.
✨Leverage Campus Resources
If we’re still studying or recently graduated, let’s not forget to use our university’s career services. They often have leads on part-time roles in financial controlling, particularly with companies looking for students to fill these positions, making it a win-win!
✨Demonstrate Your Skills Publicly
Share your insights on financial topics through blogs or LinkedIn posts. Showcasing our expertise in areas like budgeting, forecasting, or variance analysis can attract the attention of potential employers, including theparttimefinancepeople. Plus, it sets us apart from other candidates.
✨Check Out Freelance Platforms
Even for a part-time gig, consider platforms like Upwork or Freelancer. They often have short-term projects in financial controlling, and landing one can help us build our portfolio. Keep an eye on roles that could lead to more permanent positions at places like theparttimefinancepeople.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller (Manchester)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Financial Acumen:For a role in financial controlling, we really want to see your analytical skills shine through. Make sure your CV highlights any coursework or experience with financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. If you've worked on any projects that involved financial modelling, definitely mention those!
Quantified Achievements Are Key:In financial roles, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your experience, use quantifiable achievements whenever possible. For example, if you helped reduce costs or improved a process, include the percentage or amount saved. This will make your application really pop!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Part-Time Availability:Since this is a part-time position, it's super important to specify your availability in your cover letter. We want to know when you can work and how you plan to balance this role with other commitments. Highlight your motivation for joining theparttimefinancepeople and why this flexibility fits your lifestyle.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:If you have any certifications related to finance or accounting (like ACCA or CIMA), make sure they're front and centre in your application. Even if you're studying towards a qualification, mention that too! It shows your commitment to the field and continuous improvement.
How to prepare for a job interview at theparttimefinancepeople
✨Get comfy with numbers!
Since you're diving into financial controlling, be ready to crunch some numbers during the interview. Brush up on key financial concepts and be prepared for technical questions about budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. Practicing some numerical problems will really help us shine!
✨Show off your analytical skills
For a part-time role in financial controlling, you'll likely face scenario-based questions. Prepare to discuss how you would analyse company performance or tackle cash flow issues. We want to demonstrate our problem-solving approach and critical thinking—making a sense of data is key!
✨Bring your portfolio of wins
Even if it’s part-time, showcasing our past experience can set us apart. Gather examples of projects where you implemented financial controls or helped improve reporting processes. Concrete achievements give us an edge, showing that we can deliver real value to theparttimefinancepeople.
✨Know the part-time game
With part-time roles, employers want to see that we can effectively manage our time. Be ready to discuss our availability and how we plan to balance work and other commitments. We should convey our motivation and readiness to contribute without compromising quality!