Financial Controller – Manchester (Part-Time, Self-Employed)

Manchester | £35 per Hour | Minimum 2 Days Per Week Onsite

Help Ambitious SMEs Grow with Better Financial Leadership

Are you an experienced Financial Controller who enjoys working closely with business owners and making a genuine commercial impact?

We're looking for a hands-on, commercially minded finance professional to support a growing owner-managed businesses in Manchester. This is not a traditional back-office finance role. You'll be a trusted advisor, providing insightful financial guidance, strengthening controls, driving performance improvements, and helping leadership teams make informed strategic decisions.

If you enjoy translating numbers into action, influencing business decisions, and building strong client relationships, we'd love to hear from you.

About The Opportunity

As a Financial Controller, you'll work directly with the business owner and senior leadership team, acting as their trusted finance partner. You'll provide robust financial management while delivering meaningful commercial insights that support growth, profitability, and cash flow.

This is a client-facing, self-employed role requiring a minimum commitment of two days per week onsite in Manchester to build effective working relationships and provide hands-on support.

There may also be opportunities to work with additional clients as our portfolio continues to grow.

What You'll Be Doing

Financial Reporting & Commercial Insight

• Prepare and present monthly management accounts and board packs.
• Deliver meaningful KPI reporting and performance analysis.
• Analyse revenue, margins, profitability, stock performance, and operational costs.
• Provide commercial recommendations to improve profitability and business performance.
• Support leadership teams by translating financial data into practical actions.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Cash Flow Management

• Lead budgeting and annual planning processes.
• Produce rolling forecasts and scenario planning models.
• Develop and maintain detailed cash flow forecasts.
• Identify risks, opportunities, and key performance drivers.
• Support strategic planning and investment decisions.

Business Partnering

• Work closely with business owners and senior stakeholders.
• Provide financial challenge and support around key business decisions.
• Assist with growth planning, pricing strategies, profitability reviews, and investment opportunities.
• Build confidence in financial reporting across the wider business.

Financial Controls & Process Improvement

• Review and strengthen financial controls and governance.
• Improve reporting processes and finance systems.
• Ensure robust controls around purchasing, cash management, stock, and operational processes.
• Drive continuous improvement and finance best practice.

Team Leadership

• Support, develop, and mentor existing finance team members where required.
• Review work and help maintain high standards across finance operations.

What We're Looking For

Essential Skills & Experience

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualified, or qualified by experience.
• Minimum 3 years' UK-based experience working as a Financial Controller.
• Experience supporting SMEs and owner-managed businesses.
• Strong management accounting and board reporting experience.
• Extensive budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management expertise.
• Excellent commercial awareness and business partnering skills.
• Experience improving financial controls, processes, and reporting.
• Ability to work independently and manage client relationships confidently.
• Strong working knowledge of Xero.
• Available to attend client sites in Manchester for a minimum of two days per week.

Desirable Experience

• Experience using Sage and/or QuickBooks.
• Financial modelling and scenario planning expertise.
• Experience leading or developing finance teams.

About You

You'll be someone who:

• Enjoys working directly with business owners and leadership teams.
• Takes a proactive and solutions-focused approach.
• Is commercially astute and naturally curious.
• Can confidently challenge and influence decision making.
• Builds strong, trusted relationships quickly.
• Communicates complex financial information in a straightforward way.
• Thrives in a hands-on, client-facing environment.

About The Part-Time Finance People

At The Part-Time Finance People, we help ambitious SME owners build more profitable, scalable, and enjoyable businesses.

Our approach goes beyond traditional finance support. We partner with our clients to provide practical, commercially focused financial leadership that helps them improve profitability, strengthen cash flow, and make better business decisions.

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where talented professionals can thrive and make a genuine impact.

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