Finance Manager NEW

City, Birmingham
Starting Point Recruitment
Salary: £40,000 £45,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Location: Black Country & Birmingham
Reporting to: Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About the Role
We are looking for an experienced Finance Manager to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function across our Black Country and Birmingham operations.

This is a hands-on role with responsibility for management accounts, financial reporting, financial controls and the full end-to-end payroll process, including weekly temporary worker payroll and monthly salaried payroll.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Group CFO and operational managers, providing accurate financial information and supporting effective commercial and operational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities
Management Accounts & Reporting

• Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts.
• Prepare and review P&L and Balance Sheet accounts.
• Complete accruals, prepayments, journals and reconciliations.
• Provide variance analysis against budgets and forecasts.
• Prepare cashflow, KPI and financial performance reports.
• Support month-end and year-end reporting.

Payroll Full Ownership

• Manage weekly temporary worker payroll and monthly salaried payroll.
• Process payroll calculations, adjustments, deductions and holiday pay.
• Manage pension administration and HMRC submissions.
• Complete payroll reconciliations and reporting.
• Maintain accurate payroll records and resolve payroll queries.
• Ensure employees and temporary workers are paid accurately and on time.
• Maintain appropriate payroll controls and procedures.

Financial Operations

• Oversee Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger and General Ledger activities.
• Manage bank and cash reconciliations, supplier payments and customer receipts.
• Monitor credit control and aged debt.
• Maintain accurate accounting records and financial controls.

Budgeting & Business Support

• Support annual budgeting and financial forecasting.
• Monitor actual performance against budgets and forecasts.
• Prepare staffing and payroll cost forecasts.
• Monitor cashflow and identify financial risks.
• Work with operational managers to improve financial understanding and decision-making.
• Provide financial analysis and challenge assumptions where appropriate.

Compliance & Process Improvement

• Prepare and submit VAT returns and payroll-related statutory requirements.
• Liaise with HMRC, pension providers, accountants and auditors.
• Support year-end accounts and audit requirements.
• Review and improve finance, payroll and reporting processes.
• Support the development and improvement of finance systems and controls.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Minimum 5 years’ relevant finance/accounting experience.
• Strong experience preparing monthly management accounts.
• Proven end-to-end payroll experience, including weekly and monthly payroll.
• Experience working independently within a stand-alone or small finance function.
• Strong knowledge of Purchase, Sales and General Ledger.
• Experience managing month-end, reconciliations and balance sheets.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and cashflow.
• Good knowledge of VAT, payroll and HMRC requirements.
• Experience using accounting and payroll software.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills.
• High-volume or temporary worker payroll experience would be advantageous.

Qualifications

• AAT Level 4 or equivalent finance/accounting qualification preferred.
• Qualified by Experience (QBE) candidates with strong relevant experience will be considered.
• Part-qualified ACCA/CIMA or currently working towards a relevant qualification would be advantageous.

Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised and detail-oriented.
• Confident working autonomously and taking ownership.
• Comfortable managing strict financial and payroll deadlines.
• Analytical and commercially aware.
• A strong communicator who can explain financial information to non-finance colleagues.
• Confident working with senior management and challenging constructively when required.
• Proactive in identifying and resolving issues.
• Discreet and committed to maintaining confidentiality.