A unique opportunity has arisen for a financially qualified or part‑qualified Finance Manager / Project Accountant to join a respected, high‑quality professional services business. This is a standalone role offering full ownership of day‑to‑day finance through to management reporting, partnering closely with senior leadership and project teams.

The firm is an Employee-Owned business, fostering a culture where people feel genuinely invested in the organisation’s success and long‑term growth. Employees benefit from a profit share and performance-related bonus after year two.

More About The Role

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will have end‑to‑end responsibility for the finance function while working closely with project managers to support project performance, forecasting and commercial decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Full ownership of day‑to‑day accounting and bookkeeping
• Credit Control, including chasing outstanding payments and managing debtor performance
• Management of AP/AR, bank reconciliations, staff expenses, credit card transactions
• Client invoicing - mostly progress billing
• Preparation of monthly and quarterly management accounts
• Cashflow management and forecasting
• Preparation of reports such as aged debtors, profitability and expenditure
• Liaising with external accountants, auditors and tax advisors
• VAT returns and statutory submissions

Project Accounting & Commercial Support

• Work closely with project managers to track WIP, backlog, overruns and write-offs
• Produce regular project performance and profitability reports
• Maintain project budgets, forecasts and billing schedules
• Monitor utilisation, margins, and commercial health of projects
• Provide early warning indicators for financial risks
• Support bid/pricing decisions via financial modelling and scenario analysis

Process & Controls

• Opportunity to strengthen financial controls, policies, and procedures
• Maintain audit‑ready digital finance records
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and automation

About You

Essential

• AAT, ICB, or IAB qualified - ideally accredited membership or working towards it
• Strong experience in project‑based or consultancy environments
• Solid understanding of double‑entry bookkeeping
• Highly proficient in QuickBooks, Excel, and Google Sheets
• Strong analytical and organisational skills
• Comfortable managing a standalone finance function

Beneficial, and higher end of salary negotiable with this additional experience and qualification

• Experience producing budgets, forecasts, management accounts
• Familiarity with WIP, staff utilisation and project financial tracking
• Experience improving processes and financial systems

Why Apply?

• Join a respected, employee‑owned consultancy where your contribution genuinely matters
• Autonomy, ownership and visibility at senior level
• Hybrid working (1–2 days per week in Hitchin after settling‑in period)
• Profit & performance‑related bonus from year 2
• Flexible working available
• A friendly, collaborative, values‑driven culture
• Opportunity to discuss reduced, pro rata hours other than 37.5 full time

Please note that the salary range quoted is open to discussion around relevant industry background, experience and qualifications.