Finance Manager - Chatham - ME4

Are you an experienced finance professional with a passion for accuracy, continuous improvement and delivering outstanding financial performance? Do you have the leadership skills, commercial awareness and motivation to help develop a successful finance team?

If you thrive in a fast-paced, evolving business environment and enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues across an organisation, we want to hear from you.

We are recruiting a motivated and proactive Finance Manager to join the finance department at Ward Security, based at Chatham Historic Dockyard. Reporting to the Financial Controller, you’ll play a key role in overseeing the day-to-day accounting processes, supporting the development of the Finance Team and ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting across the Ward Group.

Established in 2000, Ward Security is a nationally recognised provider of innovative security services and solutions. With over 1,800 employees, we continue to grow while maintaining the family feel that underpins our culture and values.

Location: Chatham Historic Dockyard
Reporting to: Financial Controller
Qualification: CIMA/ACCA Qualified

What you can expect:

We offer a range of benefits to each member of our team. From day one, you’ll have access to a range of benefits, including:

·Employee Assistance Programme – 24/7 confidential support and expert advice for personal, professional and wellbeing matters.

·ReWardBenefits Platform – Access discounts and offers from hundreds of retailers, cinemas, gyms and more, alongside recognition and wellbeing support.

·Life Assurance – Financial reassurance and support for your loved ones should the unexpected happen.

·Training & Career Development – Access to apprenticeships, eLearning and in-house skills-based training to support your professional development and career progression.

·Employee Referral Scheme – Recommend someone you know for a role at Ward and benefit from our employee referral reward when they successfully join and meet the scheme criteria.

·Cycle to Work Scheme – Helping you save on the cost of a new bike and equipment through salary sacrifice.

·Pension – A workplace pension to help you plan for your future.

·Wellbeing Support– Access to our Mental Health Team, wellbeing platform and Employee Assistance Programme.

·Annual Star Awards – Recognition for the outstanding contribution and commitment of our people.

About the Role:

As a Finance Manager, you’ll play an important role in ensuring the smooth running of the Finance Department and maintaining accurate, reliable financial information across the Ward Group. You’ll support and develop team members, oversee month-end processes and provide meaningful financial analysis to help inform business decisions.

This is an exciting opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys working in a changing environment, driving improvements and building strong relationships with colleagues across the business.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Support the day-to-day running of the Finance Team, ensuring the department operates smoothly and key deadlines and management requirements are met.
• Support and develop team members, providing guidance and training to help colleagues build their skills and progress in their roles.
• Prepare and review monthly management accounts, including departmental profit and loss statements and balance sheets.
• Oversee month-end processes, ensuring completion within the management timetable, including accruals, prepayments, depreciation and other required adjustments.
• Maintain accurate financial records and reporting, reviewing and reconciling control accounts, actioning journal entries and completing nominal analysis as required.
• Provide financial analysis and commentary, highlighting variances against budgets and forecasts to support informed business and strategic decision-making.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting, working collaboratively with department heads to gather information and prepare budgets and re-forecasts as required.
• Work closely with departmental managers and Directors, ensuring reporting accuracy and identifying opportunities for cost savings.
• Analyse revenue streams and project work, providing financial commentary and identifying opportunities to improve margins.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of financial regulations and accounting standards, ensuring financial processes remain aligned with relevant requirements.
• Support year-end and audit activities, including the financial elements of the ACS audit.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, helping to ensure financial considerations are integrated into operational strategies and business decisions.
• Support credit control activities, working alongside the central credit control department to monitor accounts, liaise with customers and ensure payments are received within agreed terms.
• Monitor outstanding customer purchase orders, escalating issues where necessary and following the appropriate procedures.
• Review and improve internal processes, identifying opportunities to increase efficiency and strengthen financial controls.
• Complete financial analysis and ad-hoc project work, including the preparation of monthly KPI reports to support business performance monitoring.
• Follow company policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with Ward Security’s operating standards and requirements.

What we’re looking for?

· Experience working in a fast-paced and changing finance environment, with the ability to adapt to evolving business needs and drive improvements.

· CIMA/ACCA qualified, with the technical knowledge required to manage financial reporting and accounting processes.

· Previous management experience is desirable, with the ability to support, train and develop members of a finance team.

· Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office packages and Outlook. Knowledge of SAP would be beneficial but is not essential.

· A high level of accuracy and attention to detail, with a commitment to maintaining reliable financial information and reporting.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to explain financial information clearly to colleagues and stakeholders.

· Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a busy working environment.

· Effective time management skills, with the ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently while maintaining high standards of accuracy.

· A proactive approach, demonstrating initiative, self-motivation and a willingness to identify opportunities for improvement.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret financial information and provide meaningful commentary on business performance.

· A collaborative approach, with the ability to build effective working relationships across departments and contribute positively to the wider business.

· A high standard of personal presentation and a professional approach to representing Ward Security.

What happens next?

Our Talent Team carefully reviews every application and is here to support you throughout your recruitment journey. We’ll keep you informed at every stage and, whatever the outcome, we’ll always get back to you.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re ready to develop your career with a growing organisation that values its people, encourages professional development and offers the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to business performance, apply today and take the next step with Ward.