Finance Officer

We are seeking an experienced Finance Officer to lead and develop the finance function within a small, friendly and growing business. Reporting to the Managing Directors, the Finance Officer will provide accurate financial and project information, maintain robust financial controls, support statutory compliance and contribute to business growth. A new full-time Purchase Ledger Clerk will report to this role, giving you the opportunity to develop your leadership skills and help shape the future accounts function.

This is a long-term career opportunity for someone who is accurate, confidential, adaptable and proactive, with a genuine interest in improving finance processes and systems. If you are looking for a long-term role where you can take ownership, develop a team and help shape a growing finance function, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities As the Finance Officer, you will:
• Lead the day-to-day finance function and supervise, train and support the Purchase Ledger Clerk
• Produce monthly management accounts, cash-flow forecasts, project profitability reports and project P&Ls, providing clear information for operational and business decisions
• Analyse construction costs, margins and material movements, including escalation when project values exceed £3 million
• Maintain cash-flow visibility and prepare approved supplier payment information for Directors
• Review credit card reconciliations and investigate unusual or aged items
• Ensure new or amended supplier bank details are independently verified
• Oversee sales ledger, invoicing, receipts, credit control, overdue debts and retentions
• Oversee the purchase-to-pay process, including purchase orders, invoice matching, coding, supplier reconciliations and three-way matching
• Review supplier/subcontractor setup, payment terms, discrepancies and duplicate-payment risks
• Own VAT returns, oversee CIS/P32, coordinate CITB Levy information and complete relevant statutory/ONS returns
• Liaise with external bookkeepers, accountants, HMRC, CITB and other statutory bodies, including supporting year-end
• Own Sage/Xero configuration, nominal-code governance, project setup, reporting controls and finance procedures
• Strengthen controls against fraud, duplicate payments, unsupported expenditure and incorrect project costing
• Support insurance renewals, accreditations and wider finance/process improvement projects Key Skills and Experience Essential:
• Proven experience in a senior finance, accounts or finance-management role
• Strong accounting, financial-control and month-end knowledge
• Proficiency in Sage 50, Xero, Word and Excel
• Experience with management reporting, cash flow, reconciliations and ledger review
• Strong knowledge of VAT and CIS
• Excellent communication, analytical and problem-solving skills
• High levels of accuracy, confidentiality and attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise, supervise and support a junior team member Desirable:
• AAT or relevant accounting qualification/study
• Construction, contracting or project-based finance experience
• Knowledge of retentions, CITB and project profitability
• Experience improving finance systems, procedures and controls Employee Benefits
• 30 days' annual leave including bank holidays, increasing with long service
• Company Nest Pension
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Private Healthcare after 6 months' service

To apply for the role of Finance Officer, please submit your CV in MS Word outlining your minimum salary expectations and availability to start. Ann Pettengell Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency for this vacancy.