Role Overview:

We are seeking a dynamic and results-driven Finance Manager to join our team in St Albans. This role is pivotal in driving the financial success of the business, with a strong focus on supporting acquisitions and strategic projects. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in financial management, project evaluation, and M&A activities, coupled with excellent analytical and leadership skills.

As the Finance Manager, you will report directly to the Group Financial Controller, playing a key role in shaping the company's growth strategy by providing financial insights, due diligence expertise, and project support. This position is particularly well-suited for candidates who have trained in practice, ideally as an ACA-qualified accountant, and are now looking to leverage their technical expertise in a commercial environment.

Key Responsibilities:Acquisitions & Mergers:

• Lead financial due diligence for potential acquisitions, including evaluating target companies' financial health, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop detailed financial models to assess acquisition targets' valuation, ROI, and integration costs.
• Collaborate with external advisors (e.g., legal, tax consultants) to ensure smooth execution of M&A transactions.
• Provide post-acquisition support, including integration planning, performance tracking, and synergy realization.

Strategic Projects:

• Partner with cross-functional teams to evaluate the financial feasibility of new business initiatives or capital investment projects.
• Prepare robust business cases for strategic projects, including cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, and funding requirements.
• Monitor ongoing projects to ensure they remain within budget and deliver expected outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements or cost efficiencies within existing operations.

Financial Management & Reporting:

• Provide regular updates to senior management on the financial performance of acquisitions and key projects.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, tax regulations, and internal policies during all phases of acquisitions or project execution.
• Support cash flow management related to acquisition financing or project funding.

Qualifications & Experience:Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• Professional qualification such as ACA (preferred), ACCA, or CIMA.
• Trained in a reputable accountancy practice (Big 4 or mid-tier preferred), with experience transitioning into industry roles.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in a finance management role with exposure to mergers & acquisitions (M&A), corporate finance, or investment analysis.
• Strong financial modeling skills with the ability to analyze complex data sets and present actionable insights.
• Demonstrated experience managing large-scale projects or investments from inception through completion.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates