Finance Manager / Management Accountant – 12‑month Fixed‑Term

About the role

This 12‑month fixed‑term position supports a professional services firm during maternity cover. The role blends financial accounting, management reporting, statutory compliance and commercial analysis, offering both operational and strategic exposure.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the month‑end close and produce accurate management accounts for senior leadership.
• Deliver financial analysis, performance reporting and highlight trends, risks and opportunities.
• Maintain balance‑sheet integrity through reconciliations and robust financial controls.
• Support preparation of annual statutory accounts and act as the primary finance contact for external auditors.
• Collaborate with budget holders to analyse expenditure and provide cost insights.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting and long‑term financial planning.
• Monitor working‑capital metrics, provisions and cash‑flow indicators.
• Ensure VAT compliance and uphold wider financial governance requirements.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to provide insight on profitability and strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to process‑improvement projects and technical accounting assessments.

Required profile

• ACA or ACCA qualified accountant.
• Proven experience preparing monthly management accounts in a medium or large organisation.
• Strong grounding in financial reporting, controls and balance‑sheet management.
• Significant exposure to year‑end processes, statutory accounts and external audits.

Required skills

• Monthly management accounts preparation
• Financial reporting
• Balance‑sheet reconciliations
• Statutory accounts preparation
• External audit coordination
• VAT compliance
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Financial analysis

What we offer

• Competitive salary £70,000‑£75,000 per year
• Hybrid working (Reading office and remote)
• 12‑month fixed‑term contract
• Opportunity to work on high‑visibility finance projects