Finance Manager

Job Title: Finance Manager

Location: Manchester

Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 +package

Our client, a well-established construction company specialising is seeking a hands-on Finance Manager to take ownership of the finance function. This is a key role within a small team, managing one direct report and remaining closely involved in day-to-day transactional activity. This opportunity would suit an experienced Finance Manager, Accounts Manager, or Senior Accounts Manager looking for a stable, long-term role within a growing main contractor.

The Ideal Candidate

You will bring a strong background in finance and accounting, ideally gained within a construction, engineering, or contracting environment. The successful Finance Manager or Accounts Manager will be confident using Xero, comfortable working independently, and capable of managing the full finance cycle with minimal supervision. This is a practical, sleeves-rolled-up position suited to an Accounts Manager or Finance Manager who enjoys involvement across bookkeeping, payroll, management reporting, and cash flow forecasting.

If you are currently working as a Finance Manager, Accounts Manager, or Senior Accounts Manager within construction, engineering and are seeking your next long-term opportunity, we would love to hear from you.

General Activities

As Finance Manager, you will oversee all financial operations for the business, ensuring accurate reporting, statutory compliance, and strong financial controls. Working closely with directors, site teams, and external accountants, the Accounts Manager will play a pivotal role in supporting commercial decisions and maintaining visibility across projects and developments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing day-to-day bookkeeping and accounting using Xero.
• Processing payroll, including PAYE, NI and pension submissions.
• Preparing and submitting VAT and CIS returns in line with HMRC regulations.
• Producing monthly management accounts, including P&L and balance sheets.
• Preparing and monitoring cash-flow forecasts to support business planning.
• Managing supplier payments, subcontractor accounts, customer invoicing and reconciliations.
• Liaising with external accountants/auditors for year-end accounts and audits.
• Maintaining control over accruals, prepayments and general ledger accuracy.
• Ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance across the finance function.
• As part of this role you will be required to be in London one day a week (travel paid)

Qualifications & Experience:

• AAT Level 4, ACCA or CIMA (part-qualified or qualified by experience).
• 5 8 years experience as a Finance Manager, Accounts Manager, or Senior Accounts professional.
• Experience in a contracting business is essential.
• Knowledge of the construction industry is desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of Xero.
• Excellent understanding of VAT, CIS, payroll and HMRC compliance.
• Highly organised, detail-focused and capable of working autonomously.
• Proactive, dependable and comfortable owning the full finance function.
• Excellent verbal, and good written, communication skills with the ability to clearly present financial information.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and seeking solutions to problems as they arise.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Company pension
• Hybrid working policy
• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays, with loyalty leave entitlements from 2 years
• Death in Service and Income Protection cover
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Season ticket loans