Finance Manager

Job Purpose:                   

To deliver high-quality financial management and strategic support across the Associated Asphalt Group, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting, and continuous process improvement. This role partners with internal and external stakeholders to drive operational efficiency, enhance financial understanding, and support informed decision-making at all levels of the business. Alongside the above, you will be responsible for the finance team and ensuring that reporting deadlines are met with accuracy.

Responsibilities:             

• Lead the end-to-end month-end close process for the group, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial statements prior to board reporting. Perform detailed balance sheet reconciliations, maintain supporting schedules, and post critical management adjustments, including bonuses, transfer pricing, and tax provisions.
• Prepare and maintain accurate cash flow forecasts to ensure sufficient liquidity for operational and strategic requirements.
• Take full ownership of the financial operations for designated group entities, acting as the primary point of contact for customers, suppliers, and internal teams. Deliver comprehensive financial oversight, ensuring compliance with group policies and supporting operational efficiency.
• Drive process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and strengthen financial controls. Design and implement key processes, such as tailored monthly management reporting packs for Directors, formal debtor control frameworks, and the automation of stock control procedures, transitioning from manual to system-driven processes.
• Provide comprehensive support during external audits by delivering accurate documentation and clear explanations, ensuring compliance and smooth audit processes.
• Partner with operational and management teams to enhance financial and commercial acumen, support accurate forecasting, and analyse variances to drive continuous improvement.
• Completion of bank reconciliations, purchase ledger and sales ledger for assigned areas of responsibility
• Completion of reporting requirements for HMRC/Governments
• Prepare a rolling 2 year forecast with variance analysis performed on actual data monthly
• Deliver system transformation projects, including but not limited to Accounting software’s. Manage the full project lifecycle, including vendor selection, cost-benefit analysis, implementation planning, system testing, staff training, and post-launch performance monitoring.
• Prepare, manage and complete the annual Accounts audit for group of companies

Accountability:                

• Ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and timeliness in all financial responsibilities.
• Deliver seamless financial services in line with agreed service level agreements.
• Influence stakeholder decisions from a financial and commercial perspective, proactively reporting anticipated challenges.
• Maintain audit readiness and compliance with all relevant standards and regulations.

External relationships and communication:

• Suppliers, clients, auditors and system partners.

Internal relationships and communications:  

• Work with and provide a service to the commercial and operational teams of the AA Group of Companies.
• Work within the Finance Team
• Collaborate with the Pre-Construction Team to provide data required for tendering
• Managing direct reportees and resolving queries in the team

Key measures and targets:   

They will be expected to include:

• Timely and accurate completion of financial reporting and month-end close.
• Successful implementation and continuous improvement of financial processes and systems.
• High stakeholder satisfaction with financial support and guidance.
• Audit readiness and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Knowledge and Experience – Essential:

• Proven experience in financial management, including month-end close, reconciliations, and process improvement
• Strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills.
• Experience of working collaboratively and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of managing trainee’s providing mentoring and support to develop career
• Excellent IT skills in the use of Microsoft Office including, Word, Excel and Outlook

Knowledge and Experience – Desirable:

• Previous experience in a construction/manufacturing environment
• Previous experience working with contracts operating outside the UK
• Development of, implementation of and working with SLAs

Education and Training – Essential:

• Fully qualified ACCA, CIMA or equivalent. (Qualified by experience may be considered).
• Educated to GCSE Level or equivalent

Education and Training – Desirable:

• Project Management
• Internal Auditor

Tasks to be completed:  

Key tasks to be completed by the role includes, but is not exclusive to:

• Day-to-day management of Sage 200 Accounts for the wider group
• Addressing financial requests from the business
• Support to the operational teams to ensure informed decision making
• Liaise with management teams to supply forecasts for each subsidiary and question variances
• Working with the internal stakeholders to ensure transparency and full understanding of project costing ready for month end reporting
• Preparation and review of Monthly Internal Management Accounts
• Attendance to monthly review meetings with Commercial and Operations
• Preparation of Annual Accounts for Auditing Purposes
• Assist in external year end Accounting/Auditing preparation
• Relationship management with external accountants and tax specialists
• Timely preparation and submission of VAT/CIS returns
• Ensure compliance with corporate reporting requirements
• Suggesting process improvements within the Finance Division and wider business along with assisting in implementations
• Reconciliation of inter-company balances on a group level
• Reconciliation of accounting statements and Sage
• Preparation of cash flow forecasts – short and long term
• Preparation of rolling monthly forecasts
• Provide advice and guidance to other Finance team members
• Management of the finance function and team
• Additional tasks may be allocated based on the requirements of the Business, the market, legislation, and compliance requirements.