Finance Manager

Finance Manager

Office-based role in Northampton

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a commercially minded and hands-on Finance Manager to lead the day-to-day finance function within a growing SME.

Managing a small finance team, this is a highly visible and varied role that will work closely with senior leadership, supporting operational and commercial decision-making across the business. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving performance, improving processes, and supporting the continued growth of the organisation.

This position offers genuine long-term progression potential for an ambitious finance professional seeking broader exposure within a dynamic and collaborative business environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Lead the day-to-day finance function and management of a small finance team
• Oversee month-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate reporting
• Prepare monthly management accounts and board reporting packs
• Monitor business performance and provide financial analysis to support decision-making
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management activities
• Maintain robust financial controls and reporting accuracy

Compliance & Controls

• Manage VAT compliance and submissions
• Support year-end statutory accounts preparation and external audit processes
• Ensure adherence to financial controls, governance, and compliance procedures
• Review invoices and oversee transactional finance processes
• Support ongoing improvements to finance procedures and reporting frameworks

Commercial & Operational Business Partnering

• Work closely with operational and commercial teams on forecasting and performance analysis
• Build strong relationships with customers and suppliers where required
• Support working capital management and cash flow optimisation
• Partner cross-functionally to improve business performance and operational efficiency
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across finance and operations

Systems & Process Improvement

• Support the continued development and optimisation of finance systems and reporting tools
• Help drive efficiencies through process improvement and automation
• Assist with embedding scalable finance processes to support future business growth

About You

This role would suit an experienced Finance Manager, Senior Management Accountant, or ambitious finance professional looking for a broader and more commercially involved role within a growing SME environment.

You will be comfortable operating in a hands-on role and enjoy building relationships across the wider business.

You will ideally have:

• Previous experience in a Senior Management Accountant / Finance Manager role
• Strong management accounting and month-end reporting experience
• Knowledge of VAT compliance and financial controls
• Experience managing or supervising a small team
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A proactive, adaptable, and commercially aware approach
• Strong Excel and financial systems capability
• The confidence to operate both strategically and operationally
• ACCA, CIMA, or ACA qualification preferred, although qualified by experience candidates will also be considered

Experience with in the following would be advantageous:

• SME or owner-managed business environments
• Manufacturing, retail, distribution, or product-led businesses
• Finance systems, ERP platforms, and reporting tools

What’s on Offer?

• Opportunity to join a stable and growing business
• Highly visible role with broad exposure across the organisation
• Genuine opportunity to develop into a broader leadership position
• Supportive and collaborative working culture
• Broad exposure across finance, operations, and commercial activities
• Long-term career development opportunities