Finance Manager – Leatherhead Reports to: Managing Director Direct report: Finance Assistant * £50,000 - £60,000 * Quarterly and annual bonus schemes * Pension * Regular training and further development * 23 days’ annual leave, plus your birthday off and bank holidays * Company events The Opportunity This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of the finance function, contribute to business performance and develop towards a broader Finance Director position as the business grows. The Role Our client is seeking an experienced and ambitious Finance Manager to oversee the day-to-day finance function of the business, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong financial controls and effective cash management. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional looking to broaden their commercial responsibilities and progress towards a Finance Director role. The position will also play a key role in transitioning from Sage 200 to a new ERP system over the next six months. Key Responsibilities * Financial Management: Oversee day-to-day finance operations, bank reconciliations, cash management and financial queries. * Management Accounts: Prepare monthly management accounts, variance analysis and financial reporting. * Budgeting and Forecasting: Lead annual budgeting, scenario planning and weekly sales forecasting in collaboration with relevant departments. * Cash Flow Management: Maintain cash flow forecasts, monitor balances and payments, and identify potential funding risks. * Transactional Finance: Manage supplier payment runs, purchase ledger processes and payroll information for external providers. * Tax and Compliance: Prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns and ensure compliance with statutory and financial reporting requirements. * Year-End Reporting: Manage year-end processes, balance sheet reconciliations, journals and supporting schedules for external accountants. * Team Management: Supervise, support and develop the Finance Assistant, ensuring accurate and timely completion of finance tasks. * Business Support: Provide ad hoc financial analysis and commercial insight to support decision-making. * Systems Improvement: Support the implementation of a new ERP system, replacing Sage 200. Requirements * Significant bookkeeping and finance experience within an SME environment. * Strong Sage 200 experience. * Advanced Excel skills. * AAT Level 4 qualification or equivalent practical experience. Desirable: * Studying towards ACCA, CIMA or ACA. * Experience preparing management accounts and supervising junior finance staff. * Experience using Webex. Refer a friend and earn £100! If you have a friend who is also searching for a new opportunity in the local area, recommend Optima and if we place them (providing they complete their 3-month probation period), you will receive a £100 retail voucher of your choice! Please note that if you have not been contacted within 5 working days, then unfortunately on this occasion your CV has not been shortlisted. By applying for this vacancy, you accept Optima Recruitment Limited’s Privacy and GDPR Policy which can be found on our website and therefore gives us consent to contact you. Optima Recruitment Limited are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy and are an equal opportunities employer