Job Description
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 within 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
