Finance Business Partner

The successful candidate will act as the Finance Director's number two, helping to drive better decision-making, improve processes, support acquisitions and integrations, and build a more scalable, technology-enabled finance function through the effective use of automation, data analytics and AI-supported forecasting.

Client Details

An owner managed, franchise business with a growing estate, based in south Manchester. They are growing to become a leading franchise and have plans to continue to drive their success. It is an exciting time to join a deliberately small finance team, with mentorship from the FD and working closely with CEO as they make finance a partner to the wider business.

Description

This is a newly evolved Finance Business Partner position, designed to move beyond traditional finance management and provide genuine commercial partnership to a growing franchise business.

Business Partnering & Commercial Finance

• Partner with operational leaders across the business to provide financial insight and support decision-making.
• Challenge performance constructively and identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Support revenue growth initiatives through analysis, reporting and actionable recommendations.
• Support the development of dashboards and performance reporting tools.
• Support acquisition activities, due diligence and business integration projects.

AI and process implementation

• Work directly with our cloud data warehouse, which holds transaction-level trading data for the whole estate; sales, labour, waste, stock etc and P&L's. A great deal of the insight in this business comes from querying it directly, and we will support you to learn the query language if you don't already have it.
• Combine warehouse data with the management accounts to produce reporting that is genuinely forward-looking.

Management Accounting & Financial Control

• Lead the period end management accounts.
• Oversee Balance Sheet Reconciliations ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Using automation, AI-enabled tools and operational data to improve forward-looking insight.
• Oversee P&L performance across a large multi-site estate.
• Deliver variance analysis, budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Produce financial packs and management information for senior leadership.
• Monitor key performance indicators and communicate trends and risks.
• Support cash flow reporting and working capital management.
• Ensure financial integrity whilst maintaining a pragmatic and commercial mindset.

Profile

We're looking for a commercially minded finance professional who combines strong technical skills with curiosity, initiative and a positive approach.

You'll enjoy understanding how businesses operate, be comfortable working with large volumes of data, and be excited by the opportunity to improve systems and processes in a growing organisation.

Essential Experience

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Management accounting and financial reporting experience.
• Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills.
• Budgeting, forecasting and business planning experience.
• Ability to influence stakeholders outside of finance.
• Experience identifying and delivering process improvements.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Desirable Experience

• Multi-site, retail or franchise environment.
• FP&A and commercial finance exposure.
• Finance systems implementation or automation projects.
• Acquisition and integration experience.
• Experience working in a high-growth or private equity-backed business.

Job Offer

Competitive salary at 55,000- 65,000 dependant on experience.

Four days a week onsite, one day flex.

Employee discount and reward programmes.

25 days holiday, plus bank, with additional entitlement gained with years service.