Arq works with growing businesses to provide clear, decision-ready financial insight. We're looking for a Finance Manager to join us and play a central role in delivering high-quality finance support to our clients.
This is a hands-on role with real ownership. You'll work directly with the Founders, take responsibility for client delivery, and help ensure our outputs are accurate, commercially sound, and genuinely useful to decision-makers.
Tasks
As Finance Manager, you will:
* Own day-to-day finance delivery for a portfolio of clients
* Prepare and review monthly management accounts
* Produce clear variance analysis and commentary
* Build and maintain forecasts and models
* Prepare client-ready packs for leadership and board meetings
* Sense-check accuracy, logic, and commercial relevance across all outputs
* Escalate risks early and propose practical solutions
* Act as a key point of contact for finance delivery
You will be expected to own outcomes, not just tasks.
What this role is not
* Not a pure reporting role
* Not back-office accounting
* Not a passive support position
This role requires judgement, ownership, and a willingness to engage with ambiguity.
Requirements
* Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or qualified by experience — we care more about judgement, ownership, and commercial thinking than formal qualifications.
* Strong experience in management accounts, forecasting, and cash flow
* Commercial mindset with the ability to explain numbers clearly
* Comfortable working in a growing, imperfect environment
* High standards, sound judgement, and a proactive approach
Experience working with SMEs or founder-led businesses is a plus, but not essential.
Benefits
We care about creating a place where people can do their best work and feel trusted to make good decisions.
* Salary of £40,000 to £45,000, depending on experience
* Performance-related bonus linked to quality of delivery, client retention and outcomes
* Flexible working hours, with an emphasis on trust and accountability
* Hybrid working, with time spent in our Lancaster office as required
* Clear progression as Arq grows, with scope to take on broader responsibility
* Direct exposure to founders and senior decision-makers
* A supportive, people-focused environment with continued professional development where it adds value
This is an opportunity to build a finance career in a business that values judgement, clarity, and commercial thinking, not just outputs.
Why Arq?
* Meaningful responsibility and client exposure
* Focus on clarity, quality, and good decision-making
* A role where your judgement genuinely matters
For the right person, this is an opportunity to help build a finance business, not just work in one.