Group Finance Manager

Location: Telford (office-based, full time) | Travel: Tewkesbury (a few times per month) | Salary: £45,000 | Reporting to: Group Finance Director Role purpose As Group Finance Manager, you will support the Group Finance Director in running the day-to-day finance function across the group, covering trading across businesses within the group including a road safety equipment manufacturing operation (bollards, lighting and posts) and a solar market business. You will take ownership of timely, accurate management information, maintain robust financial control, oversee core cash processes, and act as a point of contact for statutory compliance and audit. Key responsibilities · Monthly management accounts: Prepare and deliver monthly P&L and balance sheet reporting (including commentary), ensuring accuracy, completeness and clear insight for management, and supporting the Group Finance Director with board-ready information. · Forecasting and planning: Support regular forecasting and contribute to budgeting activities, partnering with operational stakeholders to understand performance drivers. · Group accounting: Maintain intercompany reconciliations and ensure appropriate posting of intercompany charges and balances across group entities. · Cash management & treasury: Assist the Group Finance Director with weekly cashflow forecasting and related analysis; perform daily bank reconciliations; support payment set-up and approvals; and assist with FX trades and forward contract activity as required. · HMRC compliance: Manage and submit key HMRC returns and filings including VAT and P11D processes, ensuring deadlines are met and records are audit-ready. · Payroll liaison: Prepare inputs for monthly payroll for two companies (calendar month basis) and liaise with the external payroll provider to ensure payroll accuracy (including checks of gross-to-net, starters/leavers, deductions and pension). PAYE submissions are completed by the external provider. · Statutory accounts & tax support: Support external accountants with year-end accounts and corporation tax computations (prepared externally), providing schedules, analysis and responses to queries. · Audit: Act as a point of contact for external auditors, coordinating audit deliverables, managing information requests and resolving audit queries in a timely manner. · Controls and process improvement: Maintain and improve financial controls, working practices and reporting processes to support growth, efficiency and accuracy. · Systems and data: Work confidently in Excel at an advanced level; operate across the group finance systems (including Syspro and Sage) and help develop reporting and improving processes where required. · Team leadership: Line manage and develop an Accounts Assistant, setting priorities, coaching and ensuring transactional work is completed accurately and on time; contribute to future finance team growth plans. · Ad hoc support: Provide financial analysis and support to the Group Finance Director and wider business on projects and day-to-day finance queries as needed. Person specification Essential · Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA preferred). · Strong experience producing monthly management accounts (P&L and balance sheet) with meaningful commentary. · Strong cash processing and reporting capability, including daily bank reconciliations and supporting cashflow forecasting. · Good working knowledge of UK compliance requirements, including VAT; experience supporting P11D processes; and experience preparing payroll inputs and working with an external payroll provider · Advanced Excel skills with confidence manipulating and analysing data. · Proven ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines and communicate clearly with non-finance stakeholders. · People management experience (or readiness to step into first-line management) and a collaborative leadership style. Desirable · Prior experience in a multi-entity/group environment, including intercompany reconciliations. · Experience in a manufacturing environment (stock/inventory awareness beneficial). · Exposure to FX payments, trades and forward contracts. · Experience supporting audits and working with external accountants/advisers. Working arrangements & package This is a full-time, office-based role in Telford, with travel to Tewkesbury required a few times per month. Package includes a salary of £45,000