A Finance Manager is often the backbone of a growing finance team.
A Finance Manager is often the backbone of a growing finance team. They bridge the gap between transactional accounting and strategic oversight, taking responsibility for the day-to-day financial operations of the business.
In smaller businesses, the Finance Manager may be the most senior finance person. In larger teams, they typically report into a Financial Controller or Finance Director.
Preparing or reviewing monthly management accounts to support financial visibility.
Assisting with budgeting, forecasting, and day-to-day cash flow planning.
Managing or mentoring junior finance staff to ensure strong delivery and development.
Overseeing VAT submissions and supporting compliance processes.
Working with external accountants or auditors to ensure accurate reporting.
Supporting improvements in finance systems, controls, and operational efficiency.
Working with other departments to improve financial understanding and accountability.
In some businesses, contributing to commercial analysis or working with leadership on performance reviews.
A Finance Manager becomes a valuable hire when:
You’ve hired a bookkeeper or Assistant Accountant, and now need someone to take ownership.
You want someone qualified to manage reporting and control, without the full cost of a Finance Director.
Financial planning and reporting are taking up too much time from you or your FD.
Typically, this role appears when you’ve got a small team in place and need a qualified professional to manage the day-to-day.
This role typically emerges once a business has a small internal team in place and needs someone with formal training to take ownership of reporting, systems and oversight.
You should look for someone who:
It’s not always clear whether you need an Assistant Accountant, a Financial Controller, a CFO or something in between.
That’s where our Finance Function Blueprint comes in.
We map out your finance team structure based on your goals, business size, and growth stage, so you can hire with clarity and confidence.
We offer a free Finance Team Diagnostic session to help you assess your current setup and work out what you really need next. It is a no-obligation, one-to-one session with one of our experienced finance directors.
At Artemis Clarke, we help ambitious businesses find CFOs who combine strategic insight with practical experience.
