Commercial Finance Manager

Profile.

Education / Qualification

2019: Fully Qualified ICAEW Chartered Accountant (ACA)

(ICAEW Membership Number: 4315765)

2015: AAT Advanced Diploma in Accounting

2012: College 3 A Levels

(Accounting & Finance – B, Business Studies – B, ICT – B)

2010: High School 10 GCSEs A*- C

(Including English, Maths, and Science)

Systems used

Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced: Excel, Word, PowerPoint), QuickBooks Online (Certified Expert),  Sage X3 (ERP), Sage 50, Xero, Sage 200 (Exposure), Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Exposure), SQL (Basic knowledge)

Career Summary.

• Partnered closely with the CFO to deliver accurate, insight-driven reforecasts for 2025 and the 2026 budget, supporting strategic decision-making and financial planning.
• Acted as a key Finance Business Partner to operational and commercial teams, enhancing financial accountability and delivering actionable insights to drive performance improvement
• Led the successful implementation of an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system, automating invoice processing and significantly improving efficiency within the purchase-to-pay cycle
• Oversaw and supported the Management Accountant in the delivery of timely and accurate month-end management accounts, ensuring robust financial reporting
• Owned short-term and long-term cash flow forecasting, maintaining strong liquidity oversight and aligning forecasts with broader business objectives
• Proactively monitored and managed foreign exchange exposure across multi-currency transactions, mitigating financial risk
• Executed hedging strategies, including forward contracts, to reduce volatility and protect profit margins

October 2023 – June 2025 Finance Manager

• Promoted to second-in-command within the Finance function, reflecting strong performance and leadership capability
• Key member of the Senior Management Team, contributing to strategic decision-making to drive business growth and performance
• Led, developed, and managed a team of five finance professionals, ensuring high performance and continuous development
• Owned the end-to-end month-end close process, delivering accurate and timely management accounts, including detailed reporting packs with insightful commentary and KPIs
• Directed the preparation of statutory accounts and led the annual audit process, acting as the primary contact for external auditors and ensuring a smooth and efficient audit cycle
• Managed the company’s cash flow, including rolling 6-month forecasts, optimising working capital through effective debtor and creditor management
• Partnered with cross-functional teams to analyse KPIs, identify performance drivers, and implement initiatives to improve financial and operational outcomes
• Built and maintained strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including banks, auditors, and HMRC, ensuring full compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and banking covenants
• Continuously reviewed and enhanced financial processes and internal controls, driving efficiencies and strengthening governance

January 2022 – October 2023 Management Accountant

• Produced the full monthly Management Accounts, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and adherence to reporting deadlines
• Delivered comprehensive month-end close activities, including accruals, prepayments, ledger reviews, and detailed financial commentary to support business insight
• Managed and maintained the fixed asset (Capex) register, overseeing capital expenditure processes and ensuring accurate accounting treatment
• Reviewed and closed both Sales and Purchase Ledgers, ensuring integrity of financial data and timely issue resolution
• Conducted detailed cost centre performance reviews against budget and forecast, partnering with cost centre managers through to senior leadership and board level
• Performed full Balance Sheet reconciliations, ensuring robustness and integrity of financial controls
• Managed end-to-end payroll processing for 96 employees across weekly and monthly cycles, ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Prepared and submitted VAT returns in line with regulatory requirements
• Supported a range of ad hoc financial and operational projects, contributing to process improvements and business initiatives

January 2019 – January 2022 Accounts and Audit Senior

• Led the planning, execution, and completion of audits for Limited Companies with turnovers ranging from £10m to £70m, including group audits and a multinational engagement
• Managed on-site audit teams of up to three trainees, delegating, reviewing, and ensuring high-quality delivery within tight deadlines
• Oversaw the daily workflow of four junior team members, effectively allocating work and forward planning to meet client and statutory deadlines
• Coached and developed trainees across audit and accounts preparation, supporting their technical progression and performance
• Acted as the primary point of contact for client boards throughout the audit lifecycle, providing clear communication and building strong stakeholder relationships
• Presented and discussed audit findings at close meetings with directors, delivering key insights and recommendations
• Reviewed quarterly management information packs for a £6m turnover business, providing detailed variance analysis for directors, shareholders, and banking stakeholders
• Managed credit control activities for a £1m turnover business, including cash flow monitoring, debt recovery, and ledger accuracy
• Reviewed statutory accounts prepared by trainees for a portfolio of clients ranging from sub-£500k to £10m turnover, ensuring readiness for partner sign-off
• Reviewed and submitted VAT returns for a portfolio of 12 clients, ensuring accuracy and compliance through detailed transactional analysis
• Independently delivered an international audit assignment in Naples, Italy, completing the audit of an Italian subsidiary within a four-day timeframe and liaising directly with senior stakeholders and external accountants

September 2017 – January 2019 Accounts and Audit Semi Senior

• Performed detailed audit testing across complex balance sheet areas, including stock, ensuring accuracy and compliance with auditing standards
• Supported and mentored trainees during on-site audits, providing guidance to enhance quality and efficiency of audit delivery
• Prepared statutory accounts from client trial balances for Limited Companies with turnovers ranging from £5m to £10m
• Produced and posted opening balance adjustments following year-end accounts finalisation, ensuring accurate transition into new financial periods
• Delivered system migration projects, converting client records from desktop accounting software to cloud-based platforms, ensuring data integrity and completeness
• Acted as a de facto in-house accountant for a family-run SME group (four entities), providing ongoing monthly financial support and insight over a five-year period

September 2013 – September 2017 Accounts and Audit Trainee

• Prepared statutory accounts from client trial balances for Limited Companies, Partnerships, and Sole Traders with turnovers ranging from sub-£500k to £5m
• Produced statutory accounts from incomplete and manual records, performing detailed analysis of cash books, bank statements, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Conducted detailed audit testing, including transactional testing across sales, purchases, and payroll cycles
• Performed year-end stock takes for a range of audit clients, supporting the delivery of statutory audit requirements
• Delivered bookkeeping services for a portfolio of clients, including purchase ledger processing, bank postings, and sales invoicing
• Posted payroll journals and reconciled key control accounts, including PAYE, net wages, and pension accounts, ensuring accuracy and compliance