Commercial Finance Manager

Commercial Finance Manager

Department: Senior Management Team

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: West Malling

We are seeking a highly skilled and commercially focused Commercial Finance Manager to lead, optimise, and elevate our financial operations.

In this pivotal role, you will be a strategic partner to the leadership team driving decision-making through incisive analysis, accurate and timely reporting, and the implementation of robust financial controls. You will play a central part in shaping financial strategy, maximising profitability, and embedding efficiencies that underpin sustainable business growth.

This is a high-profile role with significant impact, offering clear scope for progression within a fast-paced, growth-oriented, and collaborative environment.

• Lead preparation of statutory and management reporting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Act as primary contact for external auditors and regulatory bodies
• Oversee VAT returns, CIS, R&D claims, P11D submissions, and other compliance obligations
• Maintain and reconcile the fixed asset register, including depreciation schedules
• Manage insurance and premises-related financial submissions
• Support preparation of monthly management accounts, board packs, and cash flow reporting
• Own short- and long-term forecasting, providing scenario planning and risk analysis
• Deliver meaningful insights on financial performance, KPIs, EBITDA, and variance analysis
• Lead annual budgeting processes across departments, ensuring alignment with business objectives
• Build strong relationships with senior leaders and operational teams, acting as a trusted advisor.
• Provide actionable commercial insights to drive decision-making and departmental growth.
• Review and manage client contracts and payment terms to ensure profitability and commercial alignment.
• Drive continuous improvement of finance processes, controls, and systems.
• Identify and implement best practices to improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Enhance data integrity and reporting capabilities to support strategic decision-making.
• Oversee payroll, expense management, and credit control functions.
• Manage reconciliations, audit preparation, and working capital processes.
• Optimise invoicing procedures and ensure robust credit management.
• Lead cross-functional finance projects aligned to business strategy.
• Monitor and track project performance against budgets and forecasts.
• Support the leadership team with ad hoc analysis and strategic decision support.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in progressively senior finance roles
• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business (desirable).
• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP/IFRS, taxation, and compliance requirements.

Experience

• Proven track record in a Commercial/Senior Finance Manager or Finance Business Partner role, ideally in a corporate or large-scale enterprise/LSE, would consider SME environment experience
• Demonstrable experience in forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and KPI reporting
• Manage statutory accounts, VAT returns, CIS, R&D claims, and other compliance reporting
• Strong background in management accounting and financial modelling, with ability to provide actionable insights that support growth and cost optimisation
• Experience in building and managing relationships with stakeholders and external partners
• Exposure to utilities, construction, or infrastructure industries (advantageous but not essential)

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability; strong proficiency with accounting software (Xero preferred)
• Excellent communication skills and able to translate financial data into clear, commercial insights
• Strong business partnering skills. Confidence to challenge, influence, and support decision-making
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
• Track record of driving process improvements and implementing best practices

Personal Attributes

• Commercially astute with a strategic mindset and strong analytical ability
• Proactiv…