Senior Finance Manager

Stopford Information Systems Ltd; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A technology consulting firm is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to streamline finance operations and support expansion efforts. This leadership role offers the opportunity to build a finance backbone for sustainable growth, with a clear pathway to becoming Chief Financial Officer (CFO) within the next 18-24 months. The ideal candidate will bring significant finance leadership experience, analytical skills, and a passion for optimizing processes, along with a strong understanding of UK corporate taxation and finance compliance.

Benefits

22 days annual leave + Bank Holidays

Hybrid work pattern

Medicash health plan

Supportive culture and team events

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in finance; min 2 years leading a finance team.
• Proven track record in building finance processes and internal controls.
• Hands-on FP&A and working-capital management expertise required.

Responsibilities

• Run annual budgeting and forecasting cycles.
• Oversee day-to-day accounting, payroll, and tax reporting.
• Develop financial models for strategic decision-making.

Skills

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Systems thinking

Education

Chartered accountant (ACCA, CPA) or equivalent

Bachelor’s/master’s in accounting/finance

Tools

ERP/accounting platforms

Excel

Google Sheets

Job description

Stopford Chester, England, United Kingdom

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Direct message the job poster from Stopford

Senior Finance Manager (CFO fast track) – Building the Financial Engine Behind Stopford’s Expansion

We seek a driven, ambitious, and resourceful finance leader to help streamline Stopford’s end‑to‑end finance, accounting, and treasury operations post Brightmoat acquisition, delivering real‑time insight, robust controls, and optimal liquidity management that power strategic decisions for the Company’s sustainable growth.

Your mandate is to engineer a scalable finance backbone that fuels sustainable growth while propelling your trajectory toward the CFO seat within the next 18–24 months.

Key Role and Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & FP&A

• Set up and run the annual budgeting, rolling forecast, and monthly variance‑analysis cycle.
• Provide forward‑looking financial insight to support strategic decisions and prioritisation.
• Develop and maintain ROI‑focused financial models for products/feature development, marketing spend, and new growth initiatives

Financial Operations & Control

• Establish and oversee (with external service providers/internal team) day‑to‑day accounting, payroll, tax, and statutory reporting in line with IFRS/local GAAP, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Ensure on‑time customer invoicing and systematic follow‑up of receivables and payables.

Cash, Treasury & Funding

• Monitor liquidity, optimise working capital, and manage seasonality effects.
• Secure and administer bank facilities or other financing as required.

Systems & Automation

• Select, implement, document, and continuously improve finance systems (ERP and BI) to automate key processes and provide real‑time financial data for the CEO and Board.

Business Partnering & Performance Improvement

• Collaborate with department heads to identify cost efficiencies and revenue opportunities.
• Act as finance lead on commercial negotiations and new‑product initiatives with customers.

External Relations & Compliance

• Manage auditors, tax authorities, banks, the internal and external accounting personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Own the month‑end and year‑end close, group‑consolidation submissions, and statutory filings.
• Ensure full compliance with UK statutory, tax, and corporate regulations and Group policies.

Previous Professional Experience

Required Experience

• 5+ years of progressive experience in finance, with at least 2 years leading a small finance team.
• Proven track record of building or overhauling finance processes and internal controls.
• Hands‑on FP&A and working‑capital management expertise.
• Exposure to automating at least one key finance process.
• Software / SaaS industry experience.
• Multi‑entity group consolidation and international tax exposure.

Education & Certifications

• Fully or part-qualified chartered accountant (ACCA, CPA, MKK, MKVK)orbachelors/master’s in accounting/finance.
• Supplementary courses in finance automation or data analytics are a plus.

Must-Have Skill Set

• Systems thinker with strong analytical and modelling skills.
• High attention to detail balanced with the ability to see the big picture.
• Advanced knowledge of UK corporate taxation, local GAAPs, and IFRS.
• Change management.
• Proficient in modern ERP/accounting platforms; advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills.
• Comfortable with collaboration suites (MS 365, Google Workspace) and digital project‑management tools.

Languages

Personal Qualities

• Passion for automating and optimising finance processes.
• Uncompromising integrity, transparency, and a mindset of "extreme ownership".
• Curiosity and willingness to experiment with new processes and technologies.
• Collaborative, culturally adaptable, and humble "can‑do" attitude.
• Self-starter and self-learner.

Reports To

• CEO of Stopford
• Collaborates closely with the Shareholders, Board, and Group finance team.

Room for Growth

Outstanding performance in this role will lead to promotion toChief Financial Officer (CFO)of Stopford and, over time, of additional portfolio companies within the group.

What you will get

• Hours – 37.5hours a week, negotiable for the right candidate
• Annual Leave – 22 day + Bank Holidays with an additional day each year of service up to 25 days
• Smart/casual dress code
• Hybrid work pattern, only 2 days a week in our Chester office
• Medicash – Level 2 Medicash Proactive Health Cash Plan (up to 4 children included free)
• EAP – 24/7 access to Bupa’s award-winning helpline
• Supportive culture with regular management updates and team events

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Chester CH3 5AN

Reference ID: Stopford-Senior-Finance-Manager

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance and Sales

• Industries

  IT Services and IT Consulting

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