Accounting Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Accounting Manager to join our UK Finance team. This is a hands-on role responsible for managing the day-to-day finance function of a busy manufacturing & Distribution business.

You will lead a small finance team, oversee the month-end reporting process, manage cashflow, ensure statutory compliance, and provide financial support to operational management. The role offers excellent exposure across all aspects of finance and provides opportunities to contribute to process improvements and commercial decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting

• Prepare accurate and timely monthly management accounts.
• Lead the month-end close process.
• Prepare and review accruals, prepayments and journals.
• Complete balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare WIP reporting and supporting schedules.
• Analyse financial performance and investigate variances.
• Produce monthly KPI and management reports.

Cashflow & Treasury

• Prepare and monitor daily and weekly cashflow forecasts.
• Manage banking activities and bank reconciliations.
• Monitor customer receipts and supplier payments.

Sales Ledger, Purchase Ledger & Credit Control

• Oversee the sales and purchase ledger functions.
• Review and approve supplier payments.
• Manage customer credit limits and credit control activities.
• Review aged debtor and creditor reports.
• Resolve customer and supplier account queries.
• Administer the company’s credit insurance arrangements.

Compliance & Statutory Responsibilities

• Prepare VAT returns and related compliance reporting.
• Support the annual budgeting and forecasting process.
• Coordinate the annual external audit, preparing supporting schedules and responding to audit queries.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and financial controls.

Payroll

• Oversee weekly and monthly payroll processes.
• Ensure PAYE, pension and statutory payments are completed accurately and on time.

Team Leadership

• Manage, coach and support two Finance team members.
• Allocate workloads and monitor team performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiencies.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing finance team.

Business Partnering

• Build strong working relationships with operational managers.
• Provide financial insight to support business decisions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the business.

About You

You will be an organised, proactive finance professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced manufacturing & Distribution business and is comfortable managing both operational finance and month-end reporting activities.

Essential Requirements

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, or finalist actively working towards qualification.
• Previous experience in a Accounting Manager, Senior Management Accountant, or similar role.
• Experience supervising or managing a small finance team.
• Strong management accounting and month-end reporting experience.
• Good understanding of balance sheet reconciliations, accruals and prepayments.
• Experience preparing cashflow forecasts.
• Good understanding of VAT and financial controls.
• Strong Excel skills.
• Excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills.

Desirable

• Manufacturing industry experience (preferred not essential)
• Experience supporting the annual audit process.
• Exposure to statutory accounts.
• Budgeting and forecasting experience.
• Sage 50 experience.
• Experience of credit insurance or invoice discounting facilities.

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on and willing to support operational finance activities.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• Commercially aware with good analytical skills.
• Positive team player with the ability to build strong relationships across the business.
• Self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary (£40k-£45k)
• Company pension.
• Career development opportunities within a growing international business.
• A varied and challenging role with broad responsibility and exposure across the finance function.