Company details and job overview:Located on the outskirts of Liverpool, this established manufacturing business has a long-standing reputation for quality and innovation. Privately owned and currently in an exciting phase of growth, they are now seeking a Commercial Accountant to join their team. This role is central to the business, acting as the key finance contact and working closely with external accountants. You will provide commercial and financial support to aid business performance, while being supported by a small, hands-on finance team. Reporting in to the Finance Director, the position offers a high level of responsibility and involvement across all areas of the business.Your new role as Commercial Accountant:As the Commercial Accountant, you will lead the day-to-day finance operations while playing a critical role in providing financial insight and cost analysis to support decision-making. This is a hands-on role in a busy manufacturing environment, where your input will influence pricing, profitability, and business strategy.You will work closely with the costing team to analyse production costs, identify inefficiencies, and ensure accurate product costing. At the same time, you’ll collaborate with the sales and commercial teams to support pricing decisions, evaluate customer profitability, and provide financial input into bids, tenders, and contract negotiations. Acting as a true business partner, you will ensure financial information is used to drive operational performance and support the company’s commercial objectives.Working directly with the senior leadership team, you’ll also support operational teams with clear and insightful financial data that helps inform strategy and promotes accountability across departments.Main role duties:
• Preparation of monthly management accounts with detailed cost and margin analysis
• Monitoring and analysing manufacturing costs, including material, labour, and overhead variances
• Providing commercial insight and financial modelling to support pricing, product profitability, and investment decisions
• Business partnering with production, operations, and sales teams to support performance improvement
• Supporting budgeting and forecasting processes with a focus on cost efficiency and margin optimisation
• Tracking and analysing inventory valuations and stock movements
• Reconciling standard vs actual costs and identifying areas for improvement
• Preparing and submitting VAT returns
• Supporting cash flow forecasting and working capital management
• Assisting with payroll preparation
• Coordinating with external accountants for year-end accounts, tax submissions, and P11Ds
• Preparing and presenting financial reports to senior management, highlighting key commercial metrics
• Driving improvements in financial processes and systems to enhance reporting accuracy and timelinessExperience & Qualifications required to apply:To be considered for this role, you must have a strong background in cost accounting and finance business partnering, ideally gained within a manufacturing environment. You will be confident working closely with both operational and commercial teams to analyse costs, margins, and business performance. Whether qualified by experience or holding a professional qualification (AAT/ACCA/CIMA/ACA), you’ll bring strong technical skills, a proactive mindset, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Experience with Sage Line 50and strong Excel proficiency are essential.Salary and reward on offer:This is a fantastic opportunity to join a successful and growing business in a role where you can truly make an impact. Working within a supportive and collaborative environment, you’ll enjoy the autonomy to shape the finance function and add commercial value. With external accounting support and exposure to a broad range of responsibilities, this is a role that offers both challenge and reward for the right candidate.This vacancy is being handled by Thomas Hoather – Kenton Black Finance.Kenton Black Finance operate across the UK as a market leading recruitment partner, specialising in the attraction of finance talent across both permanent and interim requirements. With a team of dedicated experts, each with longevity operating in the finance arena, we maintain a proven track record and have established partnerships with businesses both large, small and those in their infancy. Market leaders, we provide recruitment solutions from entry level finance to directorship professionals. Operating from local offices in Preston, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham and Glasgow, Kenton Black Finance remain a dynamic and effective recruitment partner who represent and attract only the finest finance talent in the local area and across the UK.