Finance is the backbone of every successful business, ensuring stability, profitability, and growth. Skilled finance professionals play a crucial role in managing budgets, analysing risks, and driving strategic decision-making. With a dynamic job market and strong demand for top talent, Manchester offers exciting opportunities for finance professionals looking to advance their careers.
Manchester has numerous opportunities in banking, investment, accounting, and financial consultancy. As a key driver of the 'Northern Powerhouse,' the city is home to a thriving financial industry with companies ranging from multinational corporations to innovative fintech startups. A number of specialist finance recruitment agencies in Manchester can place professionals with top employers, with excellent salaries, career progression, and a strong professional network.
If you’re actively searching for finance jobs or seeking expert advice from top finance recruiters in Manchester, now is the perfect time to explore the rewarding opportunities available in this competitive market.
So what is the average salary for a finance job in Manchester?
According to Reed, the average finance salary in Manchester is £37,000 / £53,362.
Regarding other specific finance roles, these are the average salaries in Manchester, including an overview of what the role entails:
Finance Manager £47,000 - £65,000
A Finance Manager plays a critical role in ensuring the long-term success and financial well-being of an organisation. Among the most significant activities a Finance Manager must perform are preparing financial statements, overseeing investment activity, and developing financial plans to achieve the company’s financial objectives. Finance Managers also forecast financial risks and provide professional advice to other departments, such as helping the marketing team budget for campaigns or the HR team develop employee benefit programs. Moreover, Finance Managers coordinate the company’s entire financial operations, conduct financial planning and analysis, reconcile the balance sheets, and continually optimise financial processes and controls.
The role of a Finance Manager varies according to the size of the company. Within large businesses, the focus may be more on high-level strategic financial analysis, whereas in smaller companies, the Manager can undertake more "hands-on" tasks such as collecting and compiling financial documents. Regardless of company size, they play a crucial role when it comes to cash flow management by forecasting future finances and holding sufficient funds within the organisation to be able to pay their liabilities. Their expertise is essential to the provision of financial security, optimisation of resources, and business expansion.
Management Accountant £35,000 - £45,000
A Management Accountant is expected to provide financial guidance and support to optimise a company’s budget and overall performance. Budget preparation, conducting departmental audits, and reviewing the company's financial position are a few of the major tasks of a Management Accountant. By analysing and reviewing operations and potential areas of savings, they assist business managers in strategic financial planning to attain stability, profitability, and growth. They also provide professional financial advice, advising executives on the use of effective strategies and informed decisions. Another important role in their work is to future-proof the organisation by assessing trends in performance, predicting potential challenges, and adjusting financial plans to new business conditions.
Besides financial analysis, Management Accountants oversee general accounting procedures, ensuring best practices within the firm. They are required to prepare management accounts and make reports that provide valuable business performance information to senior leadership. Such reports play an important role in guiding business strategy and decision-making to support profitability and long-term business development.
Credit Controller £27,000 - £32,000
A Credit Controller is necessary to make sure that an organisation is financially stable by bringing about smooth transactions and the payment of money on time. A Credit Controller must possess a combination of financial knowledge, an analytical mind, and solid interpersonal skills. The key responsibility of a Credit Controller is to manage pending debts so that businesses can recover money owed by customers or suppliers. They also maintain accurate financial records, examine business expenditures, and provide advice to help the company make knowledge budgeting choices. By applying careful analysis of financial data, credit controllers support the company’s overall financial responsibility and aim to achieve financial efficiency.
Aside from debt management, credit controllers assist companies in tracking manufacturing costs, stock monitoring, and evaluating financial performance. Their interventions are critical to actualising cost-saving opportunities and boosting profitability using data analysis. They also generate detailed financial reports, which clearly indicate the company's financial situation to senior management. They create cost control systems, set budgets, and monitor expenses in order to analyse potential future financial risks and design appropriate cost reduction measures. Combining financial skills with strategic planning, credit controllers have the job of enhancing the financial well-being and long-term viability of an organisation.
Purchase Ledger/Accounts Payable £25,000 - £30,000
A Purchase Ledger plays a vital role in managing a company's spending, ensuring that payments are properly processed, authorised, and accounted for. Their primary role is to keep business accounts in check, process employee and supplier payments, and maintain a properly organised financial record. They also track payroll and supplier statements to ensure financial processes run smoothly. By working closely with suppliers, Purchase Ledger'shelp negotiate improved rates, enabling the company to stay cost-effective.
Besides recording transactions, they also carry out very important financial roles such as coding invoices, making cheques, and dealing with BACS payments. They additionally calculate VAT payments, reconcile statements, and provide answers to purchase-related inquiries. Through accuracy and adherence in carrying out finance-related activities, Purchase Ledgers form a necessary part of any company's level of financial efficiency.
Sales Ledger/Accounts Receivable £25,000 - £30,000
A Sales Ledger plays a key role in managing a company's financial transactions by overseeing billing, managing accounts and ensuring outstanding payments are collected in a timely manner. These professionals provide essential administrative and clerical support to maintain accurate financial records, allowing management to make informed business decisions. Their responsibilities include tracking outstanding debts, following up with late-paying clients, ensuring payments are received on time and ensuring all financial records are up to date.
Sales Ledgers are also responsible for issuing invoices on schedule, ensuring they contain all necessary details such as VAT and other sales taxes. By keeping a detailed record of what the company is owed and identifying late-paying clients, they help maintain a steady cash flow and financial stability within the company.
Accounts Assistant £25,000 - £30,000
An Accounts Assistant plays a vital role in supporting accountants and finance managers by handling administrative and bookkeeping tasks to ensure the smooth operation of financial processes. Their responsibilities include filing documents, managing phone calls, processing mail, and maintaining accurate financial records. Working closely with the accounting team, they help track the flow of money in and out of the business, ensuring that customer and supplier accounts remain up to date. They are also responsible for processing invoices, managing petty cash transactions, and organising financial paperwork to keep records well-structured and accessible.
Beyond administrative duties, Accounts Assistants are involved in producing spreadsheets to maintain sales and purchase ledgers, reconciling company accounts, and ensuring accurate calculations of payments. They also play a key role in credit control, following up on outstanding debts and ensuring timely payments. By assisting with these essential financial tasks, Accounts Assistants contribute to the efficiency and accuracy of a company’s financial operations, helping maintain overall financial stability.
Accounts administrator £20,000 - £25,000
An Accounts Administrator plays a crucial role in supporting a company’s financial operations by handling bookkeeping, taxes, invoicing, and payroll. Working closely with accountants, they assist in preparing financial documents, maintaining detailed accurate records, and ensuring the smooth management of company finances. Their role requires strong mathematical skills, as they perform calculations to ensure the accuracy of financial reports and statements.
Other responsibilities include processing purchase orders, invoices, and receipts, and assisting with budgeting and forecasting. They also play a vital role in month-end and year-end closing procedures by reconciling accounts, preparing journal entries, and generating financial reports. Additionally, they ensure compliance with internal policies, accounting regulations, and industry standards while providing excellent customer service to vendors, clients, and stakeholders. By supporting accountants in financial reporting and administrative tasks, Accounts Administrators help maintain efficiency and compliance within the finance department.
Factors that can impact salary:
Company size
Location
The industry you work in
Specific finance skills and qualifications
Your seniority level and experience
In-house vs. financial services firm roles
For expert guidance on securing the best salary and job opportunities in the finance sector, working with a finance recruitment agency in Manchester, such as Get Recruited, can provide valuable insights and career support. We simplify the job search process, offering tailored advice, industry insights, and access to exclusive job opportunities beyond traditional job boards.