Financial Manger Role

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.

What Does a Finance Manager Do?

Management Accounts Oversight

Preparing or reviewing monthly management accounts to support financial visibility.

Planning & Cash Flow Support

Assisting with budgeting, forecasting, and day-to-day cash flow planning.

Team Supervision

Managing or mentoring junior finance staff to ensure strong delivery and development.

VAT & Compliance Tasks

Overseeing VAT submissions and supporting compliance processes.

Audit & Accountant Coordination

Working with external accountants or auditors to ensure accurate reporting.

Systems & Process Improvement

Supporting improvements in finance systems, controls, and operational efficiency.

Operational Liaison

Working with other departments to improve financial understanding and accountability.

Commercial & Performance Insight

In some businesses, contributing to commercial analysis or working with leadership on performance reviews.

When Should You Hire a Finance Manager?

A Finance Manager becomes a valuable hire when:

Your Team Is Growing Beyond Junior Roles

You’ve hired a bookkeeper or Assistant Accountant, and now need someone to take ownership.

You Need Oversight, Not Strategy (Yet)

You want someone qualified to manage reporting and control, without the full cost of a Finance Director.

Reporting Is Draining Senior Time

Financial planning and reporting are taking up too much time from you or your FD.

Structured Finance Leadership

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.

What Makes a Great Finance Manager?

You should look for someone who:

Is qualified or working towards a qualification (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)

Has experience preparing management accounts and supporting forecasting

Can manage people and processes with confidence and understanding systems, sector or growth challenges

Is detail oriented but commercially aware

Similar Roles

Finance Controller

Management Accountant

Sales Ledger Clerk / Credit Controller

Unsure What Role You Really Need?

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.

Not Sure Where to Start?

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.

Planning to hire?

At Artemis Clarke, we help ambitious businesses find CFOs who combine strategic insight with practical experience.

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