Interim Finance Manager

A full-time, fixed-term Finance Manager role based in Cambourne, providing hands-on financial leadership to the 42T Board and operational team. The post will strengthen the quality, timeliness and commercial value of management information while supporting the integration of 42T’s finance systems and processes into the British Engines Group.

You’ll improve forecasting and project accounting, reinforce financial controls, document sustainable ways of working and help ensure that knowledge is transferred effectively across the business. The role reports day to day to the Chief Executive Officer, with a functional reporting line to the Chief Operating Officer, British Engines Group.

Role Description

• Management information and reporting: Oversea accurate and timely month-end reporting, management accounts and provide quality project analysis and commercially focused insight for the 42T Board and operational leaders. Improve reporting packs, explain performance against plan and highlight risks, opportunities and actions.

• Finance systems integration: Lead the finance input to system integration, working with Group Finance and Group IT, operational users and implementation partners to define requirements, map processes and data, support configuration, complete testing and validation, plan cutover, resolve issues and stabilise the new environment.

• Process mapping and improvement: Document current and future-state finance processes, responsibilities, controls, data requirements, interfaces and decision points. Identify gaps, remove unnecessary manual activity and help establish clear, efficient and repeatable ways of working.

• Forecasting and planning: Strengthen budgeting, cash flow forecasting, scenario analysis and rolling forecasts so that assumptions are transparent, risks are visible and decisions are supported by reliable financial information.

• Project accounting: Improve project-level cost capture, revenue recognition, work in progress, accruals, profitability analysis and completion reporting. Work with project and operational teams to ensure financial progress reflects delivery performance and emerging issues.

• Controls, compliance and data quality: Review and strengthen financial controls, reconciliations, audit trails and data ownership, ensuring compliance with Group policies and relevant accounting requirements. Support audit activity and address control weaknesses promptly.

• Team leadership: Line manage the existing finance team, providing clear direction, support and development while motivating the team to deliver high-quality work and maintain momentum through change.

• Business partnering and handover: Build effective relationships with the 42T Board, operational teams, Group Finance and project stakeholders. Translate financial issues into clear actions, automate and simplify reporting where possible, create practical documentation and transfer knowledge to support a sustainable handover.

Person Specification

• A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or someone with significant relevant operational finance and management accounting experience.

• Strong experience in technology, project-based or similarly operational environment, with the ability to understand how operational activity translates into financial performance.

• Demonstrable experience of finance system implementation, integration or significant process change, including requirements gathering, process and data mapping, testing, data validation, cutover support and post-implementation stabilisation.

• Sound knowledge of management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, scenario modelling and project accounting, including cost capture, revenue recognition, WIP, accruals and profitability reporting.

• A track record of reviewing and improving end-to-end processes, financial controls, reconciliations, data ownership and reporting routines.

• Advanced Excel capability and strong ERP or finance systems literacy; experience of Power BI, reporting automation or data visualisation would be advantageous.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively, identify root causes and turn complex financial information into clear, pragmatic recommendations.

• A credible and collaborative business partner who communicates clearly with finance and non-finance stakeholders, works effectively across organisational boundaries and can influence at Board and operational level.

• Comfortable working independently in a fixed-term delivery role, managing competing priorities and maintaining momentum in an environment of change.

• Commercial, resilient, organised and improvement-focused, with high standards of integrity, accuracy, ownership and attention to detail.