Finance Manager

Harper May is proud to partner with a leading financial services firm in their search for an astute and detail-oriented Finance Manager. Operating within a complex, regulated framework, this organisation is widely recognised for its commitment to reporting excellence and robust financial governance.

This is a critical appointment within a high-calibre finance function. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity of financial data while delivering the commercial insights necessary to drive long-term organisational performance.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Financial Controller, the Finance Manager will act as the vital link between technical accounting and strategic decision support. This is a hands-on, multi-faceted position suited to a professional who thrives in a structured environment but possesses the natural curiosity to challenge the status quo and streamline existing processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Management Reporting: Lead the end-to-end delivery of monthly management accounts and sophisticated reporting packs for senior leadership.

• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Drive the budgeting and forecasting cycles, ensuring precision and alignment across all business units.

• Performance Insight: Deliver detailed variance analysis, uncovering the "why" behind the numbers to highlight potential risks and strategic opportunities.

• Financial Modelling: Develop and refine complex financial models to support long-term planning and ad-hoc commercial projects.

• Multi-Entity Oversight: Maintain a "gold standard" for financial controls, ensuring total consistency in reporting across multiple entities.

• Audit & Compliance: Facilitate year-end reporting and provide expert support during the annual audit process within a regulated framework.

• Process Evolution: Proactively identify opportunities for automation and the continuous enhancement of reporting tools and systems.

• Stakeholder Partnership: Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders, translating complex financial data into clear, actionable commercial advice.

Candidate Profile

• Qualifications: ACA, ACCA, or CIMA (Fully Qualified preferred; Finalist/Part-qualified considered with relevant experience).

• Sector Expertise: Previous experience within Financial Services or a similarly regulated environment is highly desirable.

• Technical Excellence: Advanced Excel skills and a proven track record of managing complex datasets with absolute precision.

• Analytical Rigour: A natural problem-solver with a meticulous eye for detail and the ability to extract meaningful trends from raw data.

• Communication: A confident and articulate communicator, capable of engaging effectively with senior management and non-finance stakeholders alike.

• Mindset: A proactive, disciplined professional who takes immense pride in the accuracy, quality, and impact of their work.