Finance Manager (Temporary - 3-6 Months)
Stockton-on-Tees- Immediate Start / Short Notice
The Opportunity
Hays are working with a manufacturing company who are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to join their team on a temporary basis for a minimum of 3-6 months. This is a hands-on role, ideal for a proactive finance professional with strong technical accounting expertise who can quickly add value and support business-critical reporting cycles.Based in Stockton-on-Tees, you will play a key role in delivering accurate financial reporting, robust financial control, and insightful analysis to support decision-making.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Reporting & Month-End Close
- Lead the month-end close process, ensuring timely and accurate completion of financial accounts
- Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP and/or IFRS.
- Ensure all statutory filings are accurate and submitted within deadlines
- Prepare and post journal entries, including depreciation, accruals, prepayments, and provisions
Management Reporting & Analysis
- Support preparation of management accounts, including KPIs and budget vs. actual analysis
- Deliver insightful commentary and variance analysis to inform business decisions
- Perform detailed gross margin analysis, identifying performance trends and key drivers
- Recommend actions to improve profitability and enhance reporting transparency
Audit & Compliance
- Act as a key contact for external auditors, ensuring a smooth and efficient audit process
- Maintain compliance with internal controls, company policies, and regulatory requirements
- Support year-end processes and audit deliverables
Fixed Assets & Rebates
- Manage the Fixed Asset Register, ensuring accurate recording, classification, and valuation
- Ensure compliant capitalisation and depreciation policies are applied
- Calculate and account for customer rebates, ensuring accurate accruals, reporting, and credit note processing
Stock Control & Inventory Management
- Conduct regular stock reconciliations and investigate discrepancies
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards for inventory valuation, including provisions for obsolete or slow-moving stock
- Provide accurate stock data for month-end and year-end reporting
- Drive improvements in stock accuracy, minimising provisions and write-offs
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Assist with the preparation of annual budgets and rolling forecasts
- Develop financial projections across revenue, costs, and cash flow
- Identify key risks and opportunities to support strategic planning
- Maintain and enhance financial models and forecasting tools
Continuous Improvement
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance financial reporting, efficiency, and controls
- Support optimisation of finance processes and reporting accuracy
About You
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
- Proven experience in a Finance Manager or Senior Finance role, ideally within a fast-paced environment
- Strong knowledge of UK GAAP and/or IFRS
- Experience of leading month-end and year-end processes
- Confident working with auditors and external stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and communicate financial data clearly
- Experience with stock/inventory accounting and margin analysis is highly desirable.
- Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with ERP systems
- Proactive, detail-oriented, and able to hit the ground running
What's on Offer
- Immediate opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a busy finance function
- Competitive daily or annualised rate
- Flexible, supportive working environment
- Potential for extension depending on business needs
What you need to do nowIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
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