Interim Senior Finance Manager - Financial Reporting

Job Title: Interim Senior Finance Manager – Financial Reporting
Location: Chelmsford
Contract Type: Interim (3-6 months)
Day Rate: £400–£500 per day DOE

Overview

We are supporting a leading construction business in the appointment of a Senior Finance Manager to provide immediate leadership across financial reporting, audit, and control.

This is a high-impact role requiring an experienced contractor who can take ownership from day one, operate with minimal supervision, and provide stability during a critical period. The role will suit an individual comfortable working in a complex, multi-entity environment with significant joint venture exposure.

Key Responsibilities

• Full ownership and oversight of balance sheet integrity, including review, challenge, and sign-off of reconciliations
• Leading the response to external audit requests (PwC), acting as the primary point of contact and ensuring timely, accurate delivery
• Managing audit processes across a portfolio of joint ventures, ensuring supporting documentation and system outputs are robust and audit-ready
• Driving improvements in financial controls, processes, and reporting standards
• Overseeing and supporting the posting and review of general ledger journals, ensuring accuracy and compliance
• Providing leadership on technical accounting and reporting issues, resolving complex queries efficiently
• Supporting VAT-related queries, including investigation and resolution of blocked VAT items
• Extracting, analysing, and validating financial data from systems to support reporting and audit requirements
• Partnering with internal stakeholders across finance and operations to ensure alignment and delivery

Key Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Strong track record in financial reporting and balance sheet ownership within a complex environment
• Extensive experience managing external audits and dealing with senior auditors
• Proven ability to operate at a senior level, taking ownership and leading processes independently
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and attention to detail
• Advanced understanding of double entry, journals, and financial controls
• Confident stakeholder engagement across finance and non-finance teams

Highly Desirable

• Experience within construction / housebuilding environments
• Strong working knowledge of COINS ERP system
• Experience managing or reporting on joint ventures (JVs)
• Exposure to Anaplan or similar planning/reporting tools

Candidate Profile

• Senior, credible finance professional able to lead from the front
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and driving outcomes without detailed direction
• Strong problem-solving capability with a hands-on approach
• Able to quickly embed into a team