Finance Manager

We are recruiting a Finance Manager to establish and lead the finance function within a growing SME engineering business.

This is a rare opportunity to build a finance department from the ground up, taking ownership of accounting, financial reporting, payroll and operational finance while working closely with senior leadership to support business growth.

Finance Manager

Job description

Finance Manager Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to establish and lead the finance function within an SME engineering-focused organisation. This is a foundational role where you will take ownership of all financial operations from the ground up, managing transactional responsibilities while simultaneously building the infrastructure for future team expansion.

The Finance Manager will serve as the primary finance and operational leader, overseeing accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and human resources administration. Your Finance Manager expertise will be critical in creating robust financial systems, ensuring compliance, and providing strategic insights to support business growth in the engineering sector.

Finance Manager Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all transactional accounting functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing, and general ledger maintenance
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports to leadership
• Develop and monitor budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections to support business planning
• Establish and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Handle human resources administration including recruitment support, payroll coordination, employee records, and compliance with employment regulations
• Manage operational finance including vendor relationships, expense management, and cost optimisation initiatives
• Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes and implement systems that will scale as the team grows
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to inform strategic business decisions
• Plan and execute the transition from individual contributor to team leader as the finance function expands

Finance Manager Candidate Profile

We are looking for candidates who combine strong technical accounting expertise with the entrepreneurial mindset needed to build a finance function from scratch. You should be comfortable with hands-on transactional work while demonstrating the strategic vision and organisational skills to establish systems that will support long-term growth.

The ideal Finance Manager candidate brings experience in engineering or manufacturing environments, understands the operational complexities of technical businesses, and possesses the patience and clarity to document processes that future team members will follow. You are proactive, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple responsibilities independently while maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance.

Experience & Expertise Required:

• 8+ years of Accounts Manager or Finance Manager experience, with demonstrated expertise in transactional accounting and financial reporting
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial controls, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Proficiency with accounting software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
• Experience in human resources administration, payroll processing, and employment compliance
• Background in engineering, manufacturing, or technical industries preferred
• Knowledge and hands on experience with subcontractors and CIS schemes
• Demonstrated ability to establish financial processes and procedures in growing organizations
• Experience managing multiple operational responsibilities simultaneously

Finance Manager Qualities & Work Approach:

• Self-directed and capable of working independently while maintaining accountability and high standards
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent organisational and time management abilities to juggle transactional work with strategic initiatives
• Clear communicator who can explain financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to partner effectively with engineering and operations teams
• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity, willing to wear multiple hats in a rapidly growing organisation
• Committed to continuous improvement and process optimisation