Finance Manager (Temporary - 3-6 Months)Stockton-on-Tees- Immediate Start / Short NoticeThe OpportunityHays are working with a manufacturing company who are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to join their team on a temporary basis for a minimum of 3-6 months. This is a hands-on role, ideal for a proactive finance professional with strong technical accounting expertise who can quickly add value and support business-critical reporting cycles.Based in Stockton-on-Tees, you will play a key role in delivering accurate financial reporting, robust financial control, and insightful analysis to support decision-making.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Reporting and Month-End CloseLead the month-end close process, ensuring timely and accurate completion of financial accountsAssist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with UK GAAP and/or IFRS.Ensure all statutory filings are accurate and submitted within deadlinesPrepare and post journal entries, including depreciation, accruals, prepayments, and provisionsManagement Reporting and AnalysisSupport preparation of management accounts, including KPIs and budget vs. actual analysisDeliver insightful commentary and variance analysis to inform business decisionsPerform detailed gross margin analysis, identifying performance trends and key driversRecommend actions to improve profitability and enhance reporting transparencyAudit and ComplianceAct as a key contact for external auditors, ensuring