Finance Manager | £55,000 | South Manchester | Hybrid | Retail

Axon Moore is delighted to be working on an exclusive basis with a high-growth SME embarking on an exciting next phase of its journey. The business, which has deep roots and a strong reputation within its industry, is now seeking a Finance professional to join the leadership team as it continues to grow and evolve.

Following the completion of a trade sale, this c.£50m Group is looking to leverage its longstanding industry relationships to support the continued progression of a market-leading operation.

Working closely with the Operations Manager and Sales Manager, the Finance Manager will be a key member of the UK management team, overseeing a c.£10m entity. The role will also provide strategic and commercial support to the Group CFO, who is based in France.

The core responsibility of the position is to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function, ensuring the smooth running of all accounting operations while providing insightful financial input to support strategic decision-making. As such, we are seeking candidates who are not only comfortable in a hands-on finance role but who can also build strong relationships and positively influence business decisions.

As with many SMEs, cultural fit is paramount. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in an SME environment and will be keen to contribute to an already positive and collaborative workplace culture.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a business with family values at its core, offering long-term career progression within a supportive and enjoyable working environment.

For immediate consideration or more information on the role, please contact Joe Develing at .

Key Duties:
*Take ownership over all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cashflow management and fixed assets.
*Oversee end-to-end payroll processing for multiple companies, ensuring accuracy, compliance with local regulations, and timely payment.
*Ensure VAT, corporate tax, and other statutory filings are accurate and submitted on time.
*Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with UK GAAP/IFRS.
*Ensure timely and accurate closing of accounts and reconciliation of all key balance sheet accounts.
*Coordinate and manage annual audits with external auditors.
*Provide variance analysis and commentary to management to support decision-making.
*Develop and maintain financial systems to support business planning and investment decisions.
*Maintain a strong internal control environment and ensure compliance with corporate policies and statutory requirements.
*Manage employee records, contracts, benefits, and statutory declarations (social contributions, pensions, etc.).
*Act as the main point of contact for HR-related financial matters such as payroll and pension audits, partnering with the Group team when required.
*Forex payments made and reconciled on Sage accounting system.
*Identify opportunities to improve financial performance, efficiency, and cost control.
*Contribute to system and process optimization initiatives across the finance function.
*Partner with Operations to input stock take on Sage finance system.
Person Specification:
*ACCA, CIMA Qualified or Qualified by Experience.
*Strong analytical and numerical skills with a high attention to detail.
*Experience working in a fast paced, and ever-changing business is essential.
*Strong attention to detail and ability to deliver to deadlines.
*Experience working in an SME environment.
*Experience working as a no1 in Finance, or a small finance team.
*Experience working in a broad accounting role, encompassing some administrative and HR duties.
*Experience working in a multi-national manufacturing environment is preferred.
*Experience using Sage Accounting software is preferred.