Finance Manager

Arq works with growing businesses to provide clear, decision-ready financial insight. Were looking for a Finance Manager to join us and play a central role in delivering high-quality finance support to our clients.

This is a hands-on role with real ownership. Youll work directly with the Founders, take responsibility for client delivery, and help ensure our outputs are accurate, commercially sound, and genuinely useful to decision-makers.

As Finance Manager, you will:

• Own day-to-day finance delivery for a portfolio of clients
• Prepare and review monthly management accounts
• Produce clear variance analysis and commentary
• Build and maintain forecasts and models
• Prepare client-ready packs for leadership and board meetings
• Sense-check accuracy, logic, and commercial relevance across all outputs
• Escalate risks early and propose practical solutions
• Act as a key point of contact for finance delivery

You will be expected to own outcomes, not just tasks
.

What this role is not

• Not a pure reporting role
• Not back-office accounting
• Not a passive support position

This role requires judgement, ownership, and a willingness to engage with ambiguity.

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or qualified by experience 8 we care more about judgement, ownership, and commercial thinking than formal qualifications.
• Strong experience in management accounts, forecasting, and cash flow
• Commercial mindset with the ability to explain numbers clearly
• Comfortable working in a growing, imperfect environment
• High standards, sound judgement, and a proactive approach

Experience working with SMEs or founder-led businesses is a plus, but not essential.

We care about creating a place where people can do their best work and feel trusted to make good decisions.

• Salary of £40,000 to £45,000
  , depending on experience
• Performance-related bonus linked to quality of delivery, client retention and outcomes
• Flexible working hours, with an emphasis on trust and accountability
• Hybrid working, with time spent in our Lancaster office as required
• Clear progression as Arq grows, with scope to take on broader responsibility
• Direct exposure to founders and senior decision-makers
• A supportive, people-focused environment with continued professional development where it adds value

This is an opportunity to build a finance career in a business that values judgement, clarity, and commercial thinking, not just outputs.

Why Arq?

• Meaningful responsibility and client exposure
• Focus on clarity, quality, and good decision-making
• A role where your judgement genuinely matters

For the right person, this is an opportunity to help build a finance business, not just work in one
.