Finance Manager (Temporary – 3–6 Months)Stockton-on-Tees Immediate Start / Short Notice
The Opportunity
Hays are working with a manufacturingpany who are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to join their team on a temporary basis for a minimum of 3–6 months. This is a hands-on role, ideal for a proactive finance professional with strong technical accounting expertise who can quickly add value and support business-critical reporting cycles.Based in Stockton-on-Tees, you will play a key role in delivering accurate financial reporting, robust financial control, and insightful analysis to support decision-making.
Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Reporting & Month-End Close
1. Lead the month-end close process, ensuring timely and accuratepletion of financial accounts
2. Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP and/or IFRS.
3. Ensure all statutory filings are accurate and submitted within deadlines
4. Prepare and post journal entries, including depreciation, accruals, prepayments, and provisions
Management Reporting & Analysis
5. Support preparation of management accounts, including KPIs and budget vs. actual analysis
6. Deliver insightfulmentary and variance analysis to inform business decisions
7. Perform detailed gross margin analysis, identifying performance trends and key drivers
8. Rmend actions to improve profitability and enhance reporting transparency
Audit &pliance
9. Act as a key contact for external auditors, ensuring a smooth and efficient audit process
10. Maintainpliance with internal controls,pany policies, and regulatory requirements
11. Support year-end processes and audit deliverables
Fixed Assets & Rebates
12. Manage the Fixed Asset Register, ensuring accurate recording, classification, and valuation
13. Ensurepliant capitalisation and depreciation policies are applied
14. Calculate and account for customer rebates, ensuring accurate accruals, reporting, and credit note processing
Stock Control & Inventory Management
15. Conduct regular stock reconciliations and investigate discrepancies
16. Ensurepliance with accounting standards for inventory valuation, including provisions for obsolete or slow-moving stock
17. Provide accurate stock data for month-end and year-end reporting
18. Drive improvements in stock accuracy, minimising provisions and write-offs
Budgeting & Forecasting
19. Assist with the preparation of annual budgets and rolling forecasts
20. Develop financial projections across revenue, costs, and cash flow
21. Identify key risks and opportunities to support strategic planning
22. Maintain and enhance financial models and forecasting tools
Continuous Improvement
23. Identify and implement process improvements to enhance financial reporting, efficiency, and controls
24. Support optimisation of finance processes and reporting accuracy
About You
25. Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
26. Proven experience in a Finance Manager or Senior Finance role, ideally within a fast-paced environment
27. Strong knowledge of UK GAAP and/or IFRS
28. Experience of leading month-end and year-end processes
29. Confident working with auditors and external stakeholders
30. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret andmunicate financial data clearly
31. Experience with stock/inventory accounting and margin analysis is highly desirable.
32. Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with ERP systems
33. Proactive, detail-oriented, and able to hit the ground running
What’s on Offer
34. Immediate opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a busy finance function
35. Flexible, supportive working environment
36. Potential for extension depending on business needs