Commercial Finance Manager

Commercial Finance Manager

Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Job Overview

Working within an operational environment as a commercial finance manager, this is an ideal opportunity for a qualified accountant with strong commercial / business accument to make an impact and gain experience managing a cross functional team. With signficant long term opportunities to progress within the group (over £1.5bn t/o), this is a company who have a genuine people focus. Experience of the construction, engineering or other sector which works with long term contracts / Joint Venture accounting would be an advantage but it not essential.

Responsibilities of the Finance Manager

Cash

1. Regular KPI reviews across all work streams – lead weekly meetings to address issues
2. Identify opportunities to improve the end to end process, obtaining support where required to deliver initiatives
3. Cash Reporting and Forecasting – work with the commercial team to automate forecast exercise.

To contribute proactively, as a key member of the Finance Management Team, in formulating and enacting all aspects of Business Unit policy and strategy.  In particular, to advise team members of the financial implications of proposed actions.

1. To produce a robust forecast for indirect expenditure and monitor actuals to identify opportunities for potential savings.
2. To leverage all opportunity to improve the bottom line by maximising contract charging where relevant.

 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES of the FINANCE MANAGER

Financial Accounting and Control

To monitor and control on a day to day basis, the cash performance of the Business Unit, ensuring appropriate corrective actions are taken where necessary to meet, or exceed, cash and other performance targets included within budgets, forecasts etc.

Management and Commercial Reporting

• In compliance with the Finance Manual and Parent Business Finance requirements, to provide regular reports of actual performance against budget and forecast.  Reports to be of such quality and timing that individual managers’ ability to manage their part of the Business Unit is enhanced.
• To provide informed analysis and commentary to all levels of management to accompany the financial reports, if required.
• To identify opportunities/vulnerabilities, arising from actual performance. Advise Business Unit and Divisional management of the effect of these on future performance.
• Provide detailed variance analysis behind any cash deviation from forecast, and indirect spend (overheads)    

Budgeting, Forecasting and Planning

• To initiate and monitor the preparation of the Business Unit cash forecasts, ensuring realism and accuracy are established and maintained.  Provide support, advice and assistance to other functions in the preparation of their elements of the forecast and plans.
• In undertaking the above, to challenge the Management Team as necessary to ensure that Business Plans, budgets and forecasts are stretching, yet realistic, soundly based and achievable.
• To undertake regular performance analysis of all aspects of the Business Unit to ensure that managers are maintaining a high degree of realism in their reports, forecasts and forward plans.

Contra Charging

• Provide detailed information to allow the Commercial team to effectively contra charge the supply chain in line with contractual obligations.

Insurance

• Supervise the insurance admin team & provide judgement to the level of provision required for claims in accounts

General Experience of the Finance Manager

• Excellent leadership/people management skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent numeracy skills
• Excellent Excel, Word and PowerPoint skills

Specific experience required for this Finance Manager role

• Experience in the industry would be an advantage but not essential
• Experience of working on a joint venture would be an advantage but not essential
• A strong commercial understanding is essential
• Experience of Salesforce and/or Mentor would be an advantage but not essential

Qualifications

Qualified Accountant (ACCA/ ACA/ CIMA)