Finance Manager

Job Title: Finance Manager

Location: Bristol

Package: £45k - £55k

Reporting to: Managing Director

Job Type: Full-Time

Our Client

Our client is a profitable, growing SME based in North Bristol.

They are looking for an experienced Finance Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the finance function and provide high-quality financial information to support the Managing Director and wider business.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a hands-on SME environment and is looking for a broad role with responsibility across management accounting, financial control, cash flow, budgeting and reporting.

Working closely with the Managing Director, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a genuine impact by improving financial processes and reporting and providing useful commercial insight as the business continues to develop.

Finance Manager – The Role

As Finance Manager, you will be responsible for the effective day-to-day management of the finance function, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting and maintaining robust financial controls.

The role combines hands-on accounting with management reporting and commercial analysis. You will work closely with the Managing Director, providing clear financial information to support decision-making across the business.

You will need to be comfortable operating in an SME environment and willing to take ownership of a broad range of finance responsibilities, from detailed accounting and reconciliations through to budgeting, forecasting and management information.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts.

Prepare and monitor budgets, forecasts and cash flow projections.

Produce clear and commercially relevant management information for the Managing Director.

Provide analysis and insight into business performance, highlighting trends, risks and opportunities.

Maintain balance sheet reconciliations and ensure control accounts are accurate and up to date.

Prepare and maintain accruals and prepayments schedules.

Manage VAT returns and support the effective management of tax, payroll and treasury matters.

Monitor cash flow and working capital requirements.

Manage stock takes and ensure accurate stock accounting and reporting.

Maintain and improve financial systems, processes and internal controls.

Coordinate the preparation of statutory accounts and provide information required by external accountants and auditors.

Build effective working relationships with external stakeholders including accountants, auditors, banks and HMRC.

Support the Managing Director with ad hoc financial analysis and business improvement projects.

Identify opportunities to improve the efficiency, accuracy and quality of financial reporting across the business.

The Successful Applicant

You will be an experienced finance professional with a strong grounding in management accounting and financial control, ideally gained within an SME environment.

You may be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA), part-qualified, or qualified by experience with a demonstrable track record of successfully managing a broad finance remit.

This role would suit someone who enjoys taking ownership of the finance function and working closely with senior management, while remaining comfortable with the hands-on aspects of day-to-day accounting.

As Finance Manager, you will bring

Strong management accounting and financial reporting experience.

A hands-on and detail-focused approach with a high level of accuracy.

Experience of budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management.

Good understanding of balance sheet controls, VAT and financial processes.

Commercial awareness and the ability to interpret financial information and communicate the key messages clearly.

Strong Excel skills and confidence working with accounting and financial reporting systems.

Excellent communication skills and the confidence to work closely with the Managing Director and colleagues across the business.

Experience of improving financial processes, controls and reporting.

A proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach.

The ability to manage competing priorities and take ownership of deadlines in a busy SME environment.

The ambition and potential to progress into a Finance Director role as the business continues to grow and evolve.

Artemis Clarke Ltd acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment. By applying for this role you accept the T&Cs, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found on Artemis Clarke's website.